More Information About the Three-Payment Rule and Vehicle Inspection

For example, if your base monthly payment is $300 and the residual deficiency is less than or equal to 3 times that amount ($900), lessors generally will not require a vehicle inspection because you are responsible for the deficiency regardless of the cause. However, under the three-payment rule, the maximum charge should not exceed $900 unless the excess was due to excess mileage or excessive wear and tear or unless the lessor can prove that the residual value was reasonable when it was set. In this circumstance, the lessor is likely to do an inspection unless you agree to pay the full deficiency.

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