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Does Carvana Buy Out Leases? (2026 Update by Brand & State)

Lease End

Adam Broud

Published 2/2/26

Lease Buyouts
TL;DR (7-minute read): Yes, Carvana can buy out some leased cars in 2026, but it depends on the manufacturer, the state you live in, and whether your leasing company allows third-party buyouts. In most cases, buying out your own leased car directly often puts more money and control back in your hands. (Lease End can help you with that.)
Lease EndCars in a vending machine
Short answer: Sometimes.
Long answer: Carvana’s ability to buy out a leased vehicle depends on three things:
  1. The leasing company or manufacturer
  2. Your state’s rules
  3. Whether third-party buyouts are allowed on your lease
That third point is where most drivers get stuck.
Over the past few years, many automakers and captive lenders changed their policies and restricted third-party lease buyouts. Some reversed course. Others did not. As a result, what Carvana can do today looks very different from what it could do a few years ago.
If you are nearing the end of your lease and wondering whether Carvana will buy it, this guide walks through what works, what does not, and when buying out your lease yourself may be the better move.

How Carvana Lease Buyouts Actually Work

Carvana is not a lender and not the owner of your lease. When Carvana buys a leased car, it is essentially stepping in as a third party and paying off the leasing company, then reselling the vehicle.
For that to happen, your leasing company must allow third-party buyouts.
Carvana explains this directly in its own help documentation. If the lessor does not allow third-party purchases, Carvana cannot complete the transaction, even if the car itself qualifies.
That is why many drivers start the process with Carvana, get an online quote, and then hit a wall when the leasing company refuses to release the vehicle.

Which Brands Does Carvana Typically Buy Out?

Policies change, and availability can vary by state, but based on public documentation, user reports, and Carvana’s own disclosures, here is how things generally break down in 2026.

Brands That Often Allow Third-Party Buyouts

These brands have historically allowed third-party lease buyouts in many cases, though confirmation is always required:
  • Ford Credit
  • GM Financial
  • Chrysler Capital
  • Nissan Motor Acceptance
  • Subaru Motors Finance
  • Some regional or credit-union backed leases
Even with these brands, approval is not guaranteed. Lease contracts and state rules still matter.

Brands That Commonly Restrict Third-Party Buyouts

These brands are frequently reported as restricting or blocking third-party lease buyouts:
  • Toyota Financial Services
  • Lexus Financial Services
  • Honda Financial Services
  • Acura Financial Services
  • BMW Financial Services
  • Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
  • Audi Financial Services
  • Volvo Financial Services
For these manufacturers, Carvana often cannot buy the car directly from the leasing company.
This is why many drivers searching “Does Carvana buy out leases?” end up frustrated. The answer depends less on Carvana and more on the brand holding the lease.
For a deeper breakdown by manufacturer, see Lease End’s Buyouts by Manufacturer resource.

State-Specific Limitations You Should Know About

State rules add another layer.
Certain states restrict how lease titles are transferred, how taxes are collected, or whether a third party can complete the payoff directly. These rules can affect Carvana’s ability to complete the transaction even if the manufacturer allows third-party buyouts.
This is why two drivers with the same car and the same lease terms can have different outcomes depending on where they live.
Lease End automatically accounts for state-specific requirements when pulling payoff information and structuring buyout loans, helping avoid late surprises.

Why Selling Your Lease to Carvana Is Not Always the Best Move

Even when Carvana can buy out a lease, it is not always the most financially efficient option.
Here is why.

Equity Often Belongs to You

In today’s market, many leased vehicles are worth more than their residual value. That difference is equity.
When a third party buys the car, that equity often gets absorbed into the transaction price rather than landing cleanly in your pocket.
Buying out your lease yourself preserves that value and gives you more control over what happens next.

You Lose the Option to Keep the Car

Once Carvana buys the vehicle, it is gone. If you like the car, trust its history, or want predictable ownership costs, selling it removes that option entirely.
Many drivers come to Lease End after realizing they actually want to keep the vehicle they already know.

The Process Can Stall Late

Carvana transactions sometimes fall apart late in the process due to manufacturer restrictions or title complications. That can leave you scrambling near your lease end date.
Buying out your lease directly avoids that risk.

When Buying Out Your Lease Yourself Makes More Sense

This is where Lease End typically becomes the better path.
Buying out your lease directly often makes sense if:
  • Your car fits your lifestyle and needs
  • You are near or over your mileage limit
  • Your residual value is lower than market value
  • You want to avoid disposition and wear fees
  • You want loan options instead of a forced sale
  • You want clarity instead of conditional approvals
Lease End helps drivers evaluate these factors using proprietary payoff data and lender comparisons built specifically for lease buyouts.

How Lease End Helps Beyond Carvana

Lease End does not buy your car. We help you buy it yourself.
Here is what that looks like:
  • We pull your official lease payoff directly from the leasing company
  • We show real lease buyout loan offers from lenders who understand these transactions
  • We handle title and registration paperwork
  • We manage payoff timing and documentation
  • We keep the process online and dealership-free
In most cases, using Lease End costs drivers less than returning the vehicle or selling it through a third party.
You can learn more about how the process works on our About Lease End page or reach our team through the Contact page.

Carvana vs. Lease End: A Simple Comparison

Carvana
  • Dependent on manufacturer approval
  • Subject to state restrictions
  • Often removes ownership option
  • Equity may not be fully realized
Lease End
  • Works regardless of third-party restrictions
  • Designed specifically for lease buyouts
  • Preserves ownership and flexibility
  • Shows loan options clearly
Both paths exist. One offers more control.

Final Takeaway: Should You Use Carvana to Buy Out Your Lease?

Carvana can be a solution in specific situations, but it is not universal, and it is not always optimal.
In 2026, with high used-car values and widespread lease equity, buying out your own leased car is often the smarter financial move.
Before you assume selling is your best option, run the numbers.
  • Lease Buyout Score
  • Monthly Payment Estimator
  • [our phone number]
Author

About the author
Adam Broud

Adam Broud is a writer and comedian based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a professional stand-up comedian with an MBA, his writing uniquely blends the worlds of business and comedy. Adam's writing for ads and comedy has appeared in places such as Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair, your television, and his mom's box of keepsakes. Feel free to review his writing from any of those places, but just know it's kinda weird if you choose his mom's house.

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