Accountant explains buying, leasing and financing cars and explains what option you should take

Entering the grand old year of 2026, there are more ways to own a vehicle than ever before. But with options for buying, leasing, and financing cars, what is the best for you?

Back in the golden age, getting a car was as simple as walking into a dealership, negotiating with the salesman, and leaving with a new set of keys.

It was cash or nothing. Now, you don’t even need to own the car to drive it out of the courtyard.

But which is the best value? Buying, leasing, or financing? Well, UK finance expert Nischa is here to break it down.

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Expert breaks down costs of buying, leasing, and financing cars

If you’re on the lookout for a new car, the likelihood is that you will be stressing over which option saves you the most money, not just immediately, but down the line, too.

It’s a mental battle millions of people go through every year.

In a bid to advise you on the best decision that works for your situation, and won’t cost you a fortune in depreciation losses, Nischa has taken to an upload on her YouTube channel to break down the options.

First off, buying outright is an option for many people, but buying new cars has become quite a financial burden to take on.

Depreciation is hitting EVs hard, so buying used cars is becoming a great option, especially if you can find low-mileage options.

When it comes to financing cars, though, the hire purchase (HP) and personal contract purchase (PC) both offer different options.

In her opinion, if you want to keep the car at the end of its payment schedule (typically around three years), HP is best, as you walk away with more equity at the end.

In fact, the UK accountant ruled out PCP as an option for most people, as it’s lucrative for the dealerships and marketed as a more expensive alternative to a lease agreement.

As for leasing, this is best on brand-new cars, where you can drive the vehicle at a small premium, but don’t get stung long-term by depreciation.

What is the best way to buy a car to save money?

According to the expert, the outright best way to get a new car is to buy a recently depreciated, low-mileage vehicle outright.

This way, the car has already lost its ‘brand-new’ value, while the performance of the vehicle is still near-perfect.

“Unless you really know cars and can flip it for a profit, buying a pre-owned car that’s two to three years old and has already depreciated substantially might well be the best option,” Nischa said.

It’s a tried and tested method which has saved people thousands, especially on new EVs.

But, if you’re not in the position to splash all of your money on one investment, then the hire purchase route is her next recommendation.

“If you are someone who tends to keep your cars for a long time, then going down the hire purchase route means you can pay your car off, and then you won’t have the stress of having to keep up with monthly payments.”

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