For corporate transportation, many business owners turn to vehicle leasing instead of buying for several reasons. Some like the idea of having new vehicles every few years, while others enjoy not having to worry about maintenance and other issues that can keep older vehicles off the road. The key is finding the right vehicle and the right leasing deal for your company's needs.

Business vehicle leasing comes in many forms. You may find yourself needing just one or two cars for sales purposes, or your business may require an entire fleet of vehicles. Here are just a few of the leasing services you may be in the market for:

1. Fleet leasing

2. Commercial vehicle leasing

3. Business vehicle leasing

4. Commercial van leasing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Familiarize yourself with the business vehicle lease process

Typically, a vehicle lease has a list of restrictions and guidelines that the client must meet. You can drive a limited number of miles per year, and you must make both monthly payments and an end-of-term payment once the contract is up. When the lease is over, you may have the option to buy the vehicle outright. There are also more flexible options available, so it's important to learn all you can about leasing and decide what type of lease you're most comfortable with.

I recommend: Shop around for the type of lease that works best for your business. You can choose open-ended leasing plans like those available through Merchants Leasing, which don't require you to adhere to strict mileage guidelines or other restrictions. Alternatively, you can choose a traditional leasing plan like those from US Bank Business Equipment Financing, where you're responsible for a balloon payment at the end of the lease term.

Find the right car for your commercial vehicle lease

The fun part about leasing is choosing among the options for your new vehicle. You can choose a luxury vehicle, a delivery van or even a heavy-duty truck for hauling supplies and gear. Look at all the options and find a company that can handle your specific needs. Many companies can supply both cars and heavy machinery, which makes your leases much easier to track on the books because there's only one vendor payment to make.

I recommend: Find your perfect vehicle. If you're interested in a business car or truck, you can pick from companies like BizFleet, GM Fleet and Commercial and Alpha Leasing. If you're looking for construction vehicles or specialty items, check out Plum Business Finance.

Read the fine print on your company vehicle lease

After you've picked out your perfect vehicle, it's important to check the fine print and understand what you're committing to. The warranty and repair issues are usually the most misunderstood parts of a lease, so make sure to ask questions. If you're leasing a new vehicle, make sure that the terms of your lease are within the warranty period and that you know where to go for repairs. That way, you're only responsible for routine care and maintenance.

I recommend: Get all the details about your maintenance plan. Some companies, such as BizFleet, have a national account card system that allow for repairs no matter where in the country the vehicle is. Others, like BBL Fleet, have a list of recommended maintenance providers, and it's up to you to get the repairs done yourself.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to your accountant before leasing a vehicle to understand the tax implications of your decision. Unlike with traditional vehicle purchases, you can't deduct depreciation on leased vehicles, since they aren't technically yours.