Car leasing calculator UK — how much can I afford?
Car leasing lets you drive a new car for a fixed monthly payment without owning it. Before you compare lease deals, it helps to know how much you can comfortably afford to pay each month. This leasing affordability calculator uses your income and outgoings to suggest a monthly budget for any car-related payment—including lease payments—so you can shop with confidence.
Related: affordability calculator · PCP vs HP · by salary
The result is an estimate only. It does not give you a lease quote or guarantee acceptance. Use it to set a sensible cap on your monthly spend, then compare real lease offers from UK dealers and brokers.
Reviewed by: Oliver Burton, Editor · Last updated: 08 June 2026
Your affordability result
StretchRecommended max monthly payment
£359
Estimated max car budget
£13,644
- Estimated finance amount
- £11,644
- Total interest
- £1,280
- Total repayable
- £12,924
Based on your income and 15% affordability, you could put around 359 per month towards a car. Over 36 months at the rate you entered, that supports a finance amount of about 11644. With your deposit, your total car budget is approximately 13644. This is an estimate only—actual offers depend on lender criteria.
What to do next
- Compare product shapes with the PCP vs HP calculator or refine instalments in the car finance calculator.
- Check salary-band examples on the affordability by salary UK hub.
- Budget for upkeep — book your MOT online.
- Buying used? Protect your car with a used car warranty.
Estimates only — not a lending decision or financial advice. We are not a lender or broker. FCA-regulated partners handle quotes. We may earn a commission if you follow sponsored links.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for estimation only. It is not financial advice and does not represent a lending decision. Your actual affordability and car finance options in the UK depend on your circumstances and the lender's criteria.
Lease vs buy (finance) at a glance
Leasing is a rental agreement. PCP and HP are forms of credit. Use this table once you know a comfortable monthly cap from the calculator above.
| Topic | Personal lease (PCH) | Buy on finance (PCP / HP) |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Use of the car for a fixed term | Credit toward owning or optionally keeping the car |
| Ownership | Never owns the car — return at the end | HP: own at the end. PCP: optional balloon to keep |
| Mileage | Contract mileage with excess charges | HP: no product mileage cap. PCP: caps if handing back |
| Upfront | Often initial rental (e.g. 3–9 months) | Deposit reduces the amount financed |
| Maintenance | Sometimes bundled; check the deal | Usually your responsibility unless a package is added |
| When it can suit | Want a newer car for a known monthly cost | Want ownership path or the option to keep the car |
Once you know your monthly budget here, compare PCP vs HP structures with the PCP vs HP calculator or check salary examples on car affordability by salary UK. Running-cost context: electric car running costs UK · EV vs petrol calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I afford to lease a car in the UK?
- A common approach is to keep the lease payment within 10–15% of your monthly take-home, leaving room for insurance, fuel or charging and maintenance. Use the calculator with your salary and outgoings to set a comfortable monthly cap before comparing lease deals.
- Is leasing the same as PCP?
- No. A personal lease is typically a rental agreement with mileage limits and no ownership at the end. PCP is a form of credit with an optional balloon if you want to keep the car. Compare structures with our PCP vs HP calculator once you know your monthly budget.
- Does this leasing affordability calculator give a lease quote?
- No. It estimates a monthly payment budget from your income. Lease offers come from dealers and brokers and depend on the car, term, mileage and your circumstances.
Sources & notes
Our calculators and guides draw on publicly available UK guidance. We review content periodically but do not guarantee that external sources remain unchanged. See our about page for how we use these tools.
MoneyHelper – How to find the right way to buy a car
General guidance on budgeting and car finance options in the UK.
MoneyHelper – Work out your budget
Household budgeting principles used alongside affordability rules of thumb.
FCA – Consumer credit and your rights
Regulatory context for regulated car finance agreements.
FCA Handbook – CONC 5.2A (creditworthiness and affordability)
How FCA-regulated lenders must assess affordability (illustrative reference).
Black Horse – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example of how a major UK motor-finance provider describes its products.
Santander – Car finance (sample lender information)
Example lender product information; rates and criteria vary by provider.
Compliance notes
- Car Affordability UK is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We do not provide regulated financial advice, credit broking or lending.
- Calculator outputs are illustrative estimates based on the inputs you provide and published third-party guidance. They are not quotes, offers of credit or lending decisions.
- FCA-regulated lenders apply their own affordability assessments, which may differ from the percentage rules of thumb used on this site. Always check formal terms before signing any agreement.
- We may earn commission if you follow links to third-party finance comparison services. This does not affect how our calculators work or how content is reviewed.