Survey of 163 Car Leasing Users Reveals Top Post-Contract Regret is 'Total Cost Calculation'; Over 90% Support Industry Standardization of Information Disclosure

Kuruka Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yukio Hayakawa), operator of the new car leasing service 'Kuruka', announces the results of a survey on leasing contract satisfaction and recommendation criteria, conducted among 163 individuals who are aware of all 11 major car leasing companies and have experience with car leasing contracts (including current contracts).

01｜87.8% of car leasing users expressed satisfaction with their most recent leasing contract

02｜The top item users felt they should have prioritized more after signing: 'Total cost calculation'

03｜Over 90% support standardization of 'disclosure of additional fees' and 'pre-contract explanation of residual value settlement'

■ Survey Overview

Survey Name: Car Leasing Contract Satisfaction and Recommendation Criteria Survey

Method: Online survey planned by IDEATECH’s research marketing platform 'Risappy®'

Period: May 13–15, 2026

Valid Responses: 163 respondents who are aware of all 11 major car leasing companies and have leasing experience (including current contracts)

* Percentages are rounded to two decimal places; totals may not sum to exactly 100.

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■ 87.8% of car leasing users are satisfied with their most recent leasing contract

When asked, 'Q1. How satisfied are you with your most recent (or current) car leasing contract?' (n=163), 44.2% answered 'very satisfied' and 43.6% answered 'somewhat satisfied'.

Q1. How satisfied are you with your most recent (or current) car leasing contract?

・Very satisfied: 44.2%

・Somewhat satisfied: 43.6%

・Not very satisfied: 6.1%

・Not satisfied at all: 0.6%

・Don’t know/can’t answer: 5.5%

■ Factors influencing satisfaction: 'Total cost' (55.9%) and 'low monthly fee' (54.5%) rank highest

When asked, 'Q2. Which factors particularly influenced your satisfaction with the contract? (Select up to 3)' (n=143), 'total cost (total amount over the entire contract period)' received 55.9%, 'low monthly fee' 54.5%, and 'no additional fees beyond the monthly payment' 45.5%.

Q2. Which factors particularly influenced your satisfaction with the contract? (Select up to 3)

・Total cost (total amount over the entire contract period): 55.9%

・Low monthly fee: 54.5%

・No additional fees beyond the monthly payment: 45.5%

・Wide inclusive coverage (taxes, inspections, insurance, maintenance included): 35.7%

・Contract term flexibility: 18.2%

・Appropriate mileage limits: 17.5%

・No residual value settlement risk (closed-end type): 15.4%

・Variety of vehicle models and grades: 13.3%

・Options at contract end: 3.5%

・Support system: 3.5%

・Others: 0.0%

・Don’t know/can’t answer: 0.7%

■ Over 40% of users realized they should have prioritized 'total cost calculation' after signing

When asked, 'Q3. Which items do you feel you should have prioritized more after signing the contract? (Select up to 3)' (n=163), 'calculation of total cost (total amount over the entire contract period)' received 44.2%, 'scope of inclusive coverage' 37.4%, and 'confirmation of additional fees beyond monthly payments' 33.7%.

Q3. Which items do you feel you should have prioritized more after signing the contract? (Select up to 3)

・Calculation of total cost (total amount over the entire contract period): 44.2%

・Scope of inclusive coverage: 37.4%

・Confirmation of additional fees beyond monthly payments: 33.7%

・Mileage limits and overage fees: 31.3%

・Difference between residual value settlement methods (closed-end/open-end): 27.0%

・Calculation method for early termination penalties: 19.0%

・Options at contract end: 14.1%

・Responsibility for restoration costs: 14.1%

・Support system and service quality: 14.1%

・Others: 0.0%

・No particular regrets: 4.3%

・Don’t know/can’t answer: 3.1%

■ Nearly half of users will prioritize 'low monthly fee' and 'total cost' in their next contract

When asked, 'Q4. Which items will you particularly prioritize in your next car leasing contract? (Select up to 3)' (n=163), 'low monthly fee' received 49.7%, 'total cost (total amount over the entire contract period)' 49.1%, and 'no additional fees beyond the monthly payment' 41.7%.

Q4. Which items will you particularly prioritize in your next car leasing contract? (Select up to 3)

・Low monthly fee: 49.7%

・Total cost (total amount over the entire contract period): 49.1%

・No additional fees beyond the monthly payment: 41.7%

・Wide inclusive coverage: 22.7%

・Contract term flexibility: 21.5%

・Lenient mileage limits: 20.2%

・No residual value settlement risk (closed-end type): 19.0%

・Rich selection of vehicle models and grades: 14.1%

・Multiple options at contract end: 9.2%

・Support system: 8.6%

・None apply: 1.2%

・Don’t know/can’t answer: 2.5%

■ Over half of users prioritize 'no additional fees beyond monthly payments' when recommending leasing to friends

When asked, 'Q5. If recommending car leasing to friends or acquaintances, which items would you particularly emphasize? (Select up to 3)' (n=163), 'no additional fees beyond monthly payments' received 51.5%, 'total cost (total amount over the entire contract period)' 48.5%, and 'low monthly fee' 44.8%.

Q5. If recommending car leasing to friends or acquaintances, which items would you particularly emphasize? (Select up to 3)

・No additional fees beyond monthly payments: 51.5%

・Total cost (total amount over the entire contract period): 48.5%

・Low monthly fee: 44.8%

・Wide inclusive coverage: 27.0%

・No residual value settlement risk (closed-end type): 23.9%

・Contract term flexibility: 22.1%

・Robust support system: 16.0%

・Flexible options at contract end: 13.5%

・Brand and operator reliability: 8.6%

・None apply: 1.8%

・Don’t know/can’t answer: 3.1%

■ Nearly 90% of users support industry standardization of 'pre-contract explanation of residual value settlement method'

When asked, 'Q6. Do you think the car leasing industry should standardize the practice of clearly explaining the residual value settlement method (closed-end/open-end) before contract signing?' (n=163), over 90% expressed agreement.