A lease return comes back to the finance company at the end of a fixed term. The lessee has been operating under a mileage cap and a condition standard, with charges for exceeding either.
Those contractual incentives tend to produce well-kept vehicles with predictable mileage, because the driver pays for excess wear and excess distance.
Lease returns are a common source of late-model used stock, and the terms of the lease are part of why their condition is usually consistent.
Why it matters
The contract itself pushes towards good condition, which makes off-lease vehicles among the more predictable used purchases.
How to check it
Ask for the lease return inspection report, which lists any damage the finance company charged for.
Does this apply to the car you are looking at?
Run the VIN or plate and see what is actually on record.
Related terms
Definitions are general guidance, not legal advice. Title rules, total loss thresholds and inspection requirements are set by each state and change over time, so confirm the position with the motor vehicle agency for the state the vehicle is titled in before relying on it.