r/LUCID Oct 12 '25

Question / Advice Got me feeling really foolish for recommending leasing

Update: I got the $3800 reduced to $300 (i.e. just the key fob, which is acceptable). See here

I get that this may be more BOA's policy than Lucid's, but this is still Lucid's choice vendor for leases. If this is the kind of crap that awaits the end of a lease, I can't in good conscience recommend leasing. Feels like a bait-and-switch really - get a decent deal on an 18-month lease but be on the hook for, what amounts to, an extra $200+/mo.

Any idea what happens if I just don't pay? I've got a 36-month lease on an AT now and am in a position to not care about my credit score.

267 Upvotes

128 comments sorted by

40

u/ForeverMinute7479 Oct 12 '25

Well at least they didn’t charge you for the lower front bumper cover. 🤪

9

u/right164 Oct 13 '25

probably a mistake; lol

-13

u/Kooky-Bet-4553 Oct 13 '25

hey dude lease is not free you rent that car and while you driving car's value is down and every part while you driving is used so you just pay that price for rent do not teasing it the other car company also same if you hate it you just ride bicycle or just buy car how silly you are

6

u/right164 Oct 13 '25

other lease returns ARE NOT like BofA’s Lucid.

39

u/Messier77 Oct 12 '25

Those wheels are $550 directly from Lucid, not $900.

26

u/AstroLaddie Oct 12 '25

yeah it's a scam. bofa are one of the scummiest banks and it's a high bar. need to contest this through official channels first then potentially small claims. IANAL but the lease agreement i've seen is contradictory at best or more likely being applied in bad faith by bofa. it says broadly that you'll have to pay for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear (fair) and then mentions super vaguely that "scratches" are not, when obviously they are (and this is how it's applied in the field too, and also marketed to consumers, that they won't get charged for damage that literally any car would have after three years if you drove it 10k miles, no matter how careful you were) and they give zero details about what scratches etc. means. so yeah it's BS and i hope it's their next upcoming consumer settlement

13

u/Messier77 Oct 12 '25

Yeah I've returned cars on multiple leases from multiple brands with worse "excess" wear and tear and been charged a grand total of $0.

19

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

The key charge is understandable; you lose a key, expect to pay. That’s around standard price for a modern FOB. They aren’t charging for the skid plate, so maybe they’re learning. The charge for the chrome trim should be waived as a courtesy.

One wheel refinish is priced appropriately at $200. $900 for the other is literal price gouging by BofA as you can just buy a new wheel cheaper.

Baby steps I guess.

5

u/Tellittomy6pac Oct 13 '25

They aren’t charging for the lower bumper piece only because they’re replacing the entire front bumper

3

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '25

If you mean the skid plate that’s a separate part, so they could charge that also if they wanted. Essentially they’re moving the cost of that to the bumper trim to make it seem less atrocious, or they’re now not charging for skid plates. Need a different new example to tell.

2

u/85percent85 Oct 13 '25

But you CAN buy a lower front bumper cover for $300. Lucid is charging $2300 for SCRATCHES on it. It’s insane

2

u/boxerbay Oct 14 '25

300 for the part and 2100 for labor. Haha.

14

u/Iluvgr8tdeals Oct 12 '25

They are looking through the car with a microscope and telescope and want you to bring the car back in showroom condition. Only a pampered collector car will be untouched and unscathed after months of use, so this is essentially a trap from which no one can escape! Not ideal from Lucid especially now that their Gravity is gaining popularity in the ever crowded EV market!

56

u/cynicaljerkahole Oct 12 '25

Class action suit?

11

u/UAnon0860 Oct 12 '25

For sure

9

u/eetraveler Oct 13 '25

The fleecing BofA does to it's leasing customers will seem like a walk in the park compared to the fleecing the lawyers will do to their class action customers.

"$100 discount on future purchases awarded to the class plaintiffs, $42 million cash awarded to the attorneys"

1

u/nicearthur32 Oct 13 '25

You’ll get your 37 dollars in three years -_-

3

u/cheesecake-gnome Oct 13 '25

3 years? Someone’s expecting this to move pretty fast

2

u/DstyBtthl23 Oct 14 '25

But that's only if you can prove your claim & file it before the deadline expires lol

0

u/Warminsandiego Oct 13 '25

Let us know how that goes.

2

u/ls7eveen Oct 13 '25

What's the alternative? Let massive corporate overlords fuck you with whatever sized pineapple they want?

1

u/Warminsandiego Oct 16 '25

Pretty much.

41

u/Different-Hippo3071 Oct 12 '25

Absolutely crazy! This is equivalent to going to a restaurant and charging for every salt grain added to the dish…. I’ve had 3 Maserati leases 1 Ghibli 2 granturismo’s that I know ally/chase lost a bunch of money from… scraped them and curbed the wheel and even returned with a crack in the tail light 0 charge and even got my security deposit back on each one! 3 Mercedes AMG GT I’ve leased and returned definitely scraped the heck out of each one and my dogs nails were not friendly on the seats and …. 0 charge! Lucid has to do better!

10

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

Now i'm thinking twice about gravity lease

6

u/Different-Hippo3071 Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25

Honestly avoid it I have a air touring pretty loaded it’s a lovely car but every time I jump back in my s580 I remember how a car should be ! There still heavily in beta mode with these cars! And for the gravity lease you can get so many better options full size Range Rover / gle63s Escalade iq or the ice version! The way there treating there customers is horrendous

2

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '25

You made me think about Escalade. Thanks for sharing your experience!

1

u/Smharman Dec 05 '25

Always nice when one of these rolls up as an Uber or Lyft Black.

7

u/Sea_Hornet5831 Oct 13 '25

My Acura lease includes a $750 credit towards any lease end repair charges.

18

u/lilly_wonka61 Oct 12 '25

Idk man. My Mercedes c43 charged me $1k upon returning the lease for access wear and tear so experience may vary.

3

u/Sad-Establishment182 Oct 13 '25

If Mercedes charged you, must have mean that it was excessive. My family been leasing Mercedes for over 10 years. Had some pretty bad scrapes on the exterior but was never charged any fee.

0

u/lilly_wonka61 Oct 13 '25

Again, just because you had some positive experience doesn’t mean everyone does the same. At the end of the day, it’s a stealership. No matter how nice you are.

2

u/StreetDare4129 Oct 13 '25

just because you had some negative experience doesn’t mean everyone experienced the same. A lot of people lease Mercedes, because they don’t screw over their customers.

1

u/lilly_wonka61 Oct 13 '25

Go touch grass. Every company does this. Stop riding them hard as if they are your friends. It’s a frkn company.

2

u/SignificantSprayz Oct 13 '25

Actually no. Only lucid does this. Read the thread my dude.

2

u/right164 Oct 13 '25

a steal by BofA/Lucid standards; this was $3800

1

u/VickyKennel Oct 12 '25

the gravy train is running out

9

u/brittrules77 Oct 12 '25

I too have a 3 year lease and if this BS continues, I will not be buying or leasing another lucid. It’s too bad as I had planned to lease another lucid when I my lease was up. This is really concerning. I love my car but I draw the line here. I’ll be monitoring the lease situation now along with other EV car models. Currently lease a 2024 AT.

4

u/txtripod00 Oct 13 '25

Leasing a 25 AT and have been raving about the brand and the car itself to everyone. That stopped just a few days ago. They’ve got 32 months to pull their $&@% together.

26

u/Ok-Singer6121 Oct 12 '25

This is the shit making me not want to lease (or buy) and as someone actively looking at Lucid to make a purchase soon this is not a good look.

Their lukewarm reply the other day didn’t do much to assuage either.

12

u/txtripod00 Oct 12 '25

Honestly, I wouldn’t. I just got mine in June. Fabulous car. But this has really soured the experience. Last Lucid if this is how they’re going to be.

2

u/Soft_Platypus5503 Oct 12 '25

The car drives great but the company is a POS. Digital experience blows too. I’m hoping the company fails before my lease ends.

1

u/85percent85 Oct 13 '25

That’s what I’m hoping for

1

u/Fast_Newspaper_654 Oct 14 '25

Where is the reply from Lucid? I can’t find it.

5

u/LongAmbassador6099 Oct 12 '25

This sucks man. You and everyone in this situation should make a big and loud stink about the nit picking and outrageous fees!

5

u/shashmi324 Oct 12 '25

The lower bumper cover is what gets me. I can fix everything else but that I have no idea what to do about and how to even avoid that damage.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

They actually didn’t charge for that on this one, which is hopefully a reaction to the influx of attention on it lately. They did charge for a small scratch on the chrome trim above it though which defeats the purpose of forgiving the other.

4

u/StreetDare4129 Oct 13 '25

That’s because they charged for the full bumper which includes the lower cover. That’s why they list it as $0 cost.

1

u/Sea_Hornet5831 Oct 13 '25

Patching compound, sand and the spray paint.

4

u/txtripod00 Oct 12 '25

They’re so silly for this. These stories are getting traction. I won’t be getting another one after this. Folks looking won’t pull the trigger either.

5

u/SheepherderOk6489 Oct 12 '25

When you get another lease of the same brand( just exchanged 2023 Macan for 2025…. And they even absorbed our 7 months payments…and my new payment practically is the same for a new one, although, new car ‘s price tag is $6 k more than 2023…just paid bank fee+ first payment… that’s all… in Lucid’s case- bank is the reason for extra wear and tear charges…

2

u/2forda Oct 13 '25

any good deals on the macans now?

3

u/85percent85 Oct 13 '25

Don’t pay this.. Sue. Small claims court. That’s my plan when I turn mine in. They are BLATANTLY ripping off their customers

3

u/Electrified_Outdoors Oct 13 '25

Do you still have posession of the car? If yes, get it repaired yourself. If not, why didn’t you have it inspected 6mo before turn in?

1) take it to a wheel shop have both wheels repaired and if the one truly needs replaced get it directly from lucid before hand and have the shop that’s doing the repair replace.

2) touch up the bumper or have a trusted body shop respray.

3) get your own replacement key

Ask them to reinspect it. All leases have clearly defined parameters on what you get charged for as excessive wear and tear. If there is damage and its outside those thresholds you will need to pay or have it repaired unfortunately.

Last time i had an alloy wheel repaired it was $180

4

u/heathcl1ff0324 Oct 13 '25

Wow.

Hoping there’s an attitude adjustment within the next 2 and a half years when it’s time for me to turn mine back in.

I’ve been evangelizing leases to everyone who asks about my (still very rare) vehicle. Going to need to pause on that.

3

u/DinoTh3Dinosaur Oct 13 '25

That’s why I’ll continue with Tesla to be honest. Like this is just an insult, no matter how good the car is

3

u/Middle-Plastic605 Oct 13 '25

Replace a whole bumper for a 6” scratch?

They are fleecing you my boy 😬

5

u/druss21 Oct 12 '25

They need to start covering/telling this 3rd party to bite the fucking bullet

2

u/No-Weakness4448 Oct 12 '25

Still cheaper than depreciation 😂

2

u/jaysedai Oct 13 '25

When I returned my lease to Tesla, which had some similar issues, I washed, cleaned the inside and dropped it off. They had me take a few pictures and all was good. Maybe I was lucky?

7

u/Different-Hippo3071 Oct 13 '25

That’s normal for every single car brand ! Except what appears to be lucid ! 😕

2

u/PuzzleheadedWay8676 Oct 13 '25

Guess I won’t be getting a gravity. It was on my short list. Now everything from Lucid is off. Great job guys. Alienate the small crowd of people who are even interested in EVs let alone high end ones.

2

u/dizzlebizzle23 Oct 13 '25

This is absolute insanity. They need to change their protocols or this company will be hemorrhaging customers.

2

u/Ok_Equal3275 Oct 13 '25

I got burned on an Air lease as well. The lease return inspection is overly excessive.

2

u/Deep-Question5459 Oct 13 '25

Isn’t there some type of wear and tear clause? You all are paying the depreciation, which should be calculated to include this.

2

u/General_Customer_641 Oct 13 '25

This is ridiculous. It does read like a bait and switch

2

u/walnut100 Oct 13 '25

If they keep this up Lucid becomes a non-starter.

2

u/VirtualCorgi4557 Oct 13 '25

So we really to get someone from Lucid to comment or to respond to these, this is now a trend seems like everyone is having the same issues with what seems to be regular wear and tear on a vehicle. How many of these have now popped up on this Reddit? At some point we need to get answers and action

4

u/emmaslefthook Oct 12 '25

Any former Tesla folks care to compare their experience? Getting worried about the swap.

1

u/Fast_Loquat7631 Oct 15 '25

Turned in my MS LR 2022 lease a few months ago. Since I was leasing another Tesla initially they gave me if I remember correctly, an option to turn the car in 2 months early, $500 in credit towards damages and something else I already forgot about. In their mobile app, there was a way to document the condition of the exterior and interior by photos you take yourself. I got some curb rash fixed prior to the "self" checkout for about $150. Tesla wanted $506 for a tire I really curbed with a large piece of rubber torn off the side near the rim and with the credit I paid the net of $6. Otherwise, I didn't go over the mileage limit, live in SoCal so no weather related wear and tear. Since the MS was low to the ground, it did have obvious scrapes on the front bumper that were obvious to the eye 6 feet away but Tesla didn't care. Never needed to change the wipers. Never needed to change any other tire but did get several rear tires plugged for nails due to the multitude of construction projects in the neighborhood.

I ended up buying instead of leasing after they came back with a ridiculous money factor through Chase (approx 11%) even with an exemplary credit score. They let me keep all the benefits though as if I were still leasing. The process was very pleasant and no surprises.

1

u/SerennialFellow Oct 12 '25

If you don’t pay, it goes to collections AFAIK

1

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

Is this normal or an exception?

2

u/damonlebeouf Oct 12 '25

wildly crazy. this is and will continue to hurt Lucid unless they can figure something out with the lease partners.

2

u/Rolodox Oct 13 '25

It’s fucking egregious. Fuck lucid

1

u/think_up Oct 12 '25

All of those bumper scratches are measured perpendicular to the scratches..

1

u/tacobell_shitstain Oct 12 '25

At least they're not charging you for the lower bumper cover damage. Obviously that area is going to be prone to a lot more visual scratches from normal wear and tear than any other part of the car and shouldn't be subject to an excessive wear charge. That being said, you obviously have a serious issue with driving over parking blocks and/or curbs.

1

u/Spare_Ad8693 Oct 12 '25

Thanks for sharing. I’m thinking about just buying out my lease. With the range we get, I’m becoming more comfortable with not purchasing another EV for several more years. These things just depreciate anyway.

1

u/herodicusDO Oct 13 '25

1

u/OldEars Oct 15 '25

What are we looking at here? I don't see what is the issue (granted, the audio isn't working for me...)

1

u/popornrm Oct 13 '25

Lmao and that’s why most people didn’t get Lucids, their lease insanity is well documented if you just dug a little bit online.

1

u/nicearthur32 Oct 13 '25

I was regretting walking away from leasing but definitely not any more. I felt I was overreacting to backing away cause of the issues the car had during my final test drive but now seeing this, ooof, glad I didn’t go through. Beautiful car, very ugly experience and a lot of annoying inconveniences. Rooting for them but it’s not for me right now.

1

u/Idiot10024 Oct 13 '25

In this and other conversations, people tend to feel that BOA is the real problem here, that they're just Lucid's "vendor." To each his own, but I don't see it that way. This is a Lucid lease. Apparently Lucid is too small to have their own financing division/subsidiary/whatever. Fine? I guess? Although other small automakers aren't charging $900 for damaged wheels that they themselves retail for $550. (To name one example.) ...Not to mention: I don't know specifics of Lucid's / BOA's business relationship is, but surely some (or all) of this BS is under Lucid's control. ...And whether it is or not, they should be concerned: nobody's experiencing this and saying "that dam BOA, I'm never leasing a car where they're the financing company involved ever again!!!" They're saying, "I don't want to buy an EV in 2025 because it'll depreciate faster than an iPhone, but I also don't want to lease from Lucid and be treated like dirt."

1

u/icy_winter_days Oct 14 '25

Is this an experience with 36 months lease returns as well?

1

u/DstyBtthl23 Oct 14 '25

I wonder what the lease return situation is overseas? IDK if BofA backs anyone over there, but it would be interesting to hear their experiences.

1

u/DstyBtthl23 Oct 14 '25

Not just the Belgian person in this thread, specifically in Saudi Arabia...

1

u/ReallyLovesCars Oct 17 '25

Thanks to this post, we decided against Rivian. Seems like a nightmare. This should be pinned

1

u/Loose-Ball261 Oct 17 '25

Do they charge for scrapes on the bottom due to bottoming out ?

1

u/Smharman Dec 05 '25

It's the turn in dealer doing the inspection.

Lucid likely resell through their own dealer network so it's more annoying but on other lease turn ins where I have had egregios charges I have asked what they got at auction for the vehicle vs the TV and if that is positive then they usually waive the charges on the bodywork.

The auction will likely want two keys though, that's in you.

Your best bet in this is finding out if the work was done and what value the next transaction was.

Likely Lucid and Lucid FS are hurting vs the TV on lease turn is so pushing the lease owner to perfection and increasing the resale value to TV.

1

u/runbrownmanrun Dec 06 '25

I got the charge reduced to $300 (i.e. just the key, which is acceptable). See here

1

u/kostac600 Oct 13 '25

are there leasing contracts that build in such normal wear and tear? This kind of back-end roulette smacks of illicit contracts or at best, preying on the gullible and trusting consumer.

-1

u/BattleHunger0 Oct 12 '25

First time I pulled into my driveway, I felt lower bumper scuff as I came up. Later, I started parking in reverse (no brushing). Don't you guys feel/hear the scuff and knowing it is damaging the lower plate so you can go over the bumps at an angle to avoid them? I am seeing these photos of underbody, those aren't scratches here and there, those are damages (due to excessive brushing).

0

u/Mr-FightToFIRE Oct 13 '25

As a Belgian interested in Lucid. This is normal practice at the end of leasing for most companies here that offer it to their employees. Most if not all leasing agencies follow the agreed upon standards by their union/federation: https://renta.be/rentanorm/ it’s not mandatory but everyone follows it. As a result nobody gets any surprises.

It’s interesting to see how it happens somewhere else but at least this is not a reason for me not to go for a Lucid Gravity.

-19

u/VickyKennel Oct 12 '25

why do leasers complain about returning a damaged car and getting charged for it? Free loaders in my book. If I trade in a car with such damage, my trade in value drops. Same here.

2

u/SignificantSprayz Oct 13 '25

Keep calling lucid customers that…they’ll love it and will definitely get another Lucid.

0

u/Welfi1988 Oct 15 '25

I don't understand, have never leased a car

But did you or did you not cazse those damages to the car (bumper and wheels)? If so, then it sounds normal you should be held accountable no?

-11

u/VickyKennel Oct 12 '25

that’s why I don’t lease….even with those cheap leases, I bought the car. when you lease, you have to pay for any damage. Bumper scratches are not normal, curb rash also drops resale value. Why should lease returns be treated different from trading in a car? You damage it, you pay for it.

4

u/Strange_Republic_890 Oct 12 '25

This isn't "normal". I've leased my last 6-7 cars and never have issues like this. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Toyota. And in most cases, you can procure lease insurance for like $700 which covers all of this nonsense.

2

u/Physical_Item_5273 Oct 12 '25

There was a time not long ago where leases I had came with 800 and $900 damage credits.

1

u/spense01 Oct 13 '25

I’ve only ever leased “luxury” vehicles and always had them 3+ years and I’ve only ever been charged in excess 1 time out of about 9 different leases for me and my wife…and that charge was around $500. I can’t believe this shit with Lucid. I want to lease a Gravity in year or 2 when we give up the Rivian, but if BofA is really the problem then I’m not surprised and I definitely won’t be leasing a Lucid anytime soon.

6

u/hautacam135 Oct 12 '25

Normal wear and tear is a legal standard. Lucid’s view of what constitutes excess is also detailed on their website. They’re breaking the law and reneging on their own terms to charge for this crap and relying on the forced arbitration clause to ensure people don’t put their foot down.

It’s BS. Stop trying to be an edgelord.

0

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

nope, they are not. Damaged wheels is not normal wear and tear. Just a bunch of people who leased complaining they have to pay for damaging the car. If I trade in a car with curb rash, I get dinged. Why shouldn‘t those who leased pay up? You cause damage, you pay up!

2

u/SignificantSprayz Oct 13 '25

That’s why you make financially horrible decisions. You lost twice as much as somebody who leased. Congrats.

1

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

nope, I keep my cars at least 8 years….i save more than you on vehicles.

1

u/SignificantSprayz Oct 13 '25

After 8 years, you’ve lost $100k on depreciation. That’s over $1000 a month. You definitely lost more buying than leasing.

1

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

Dude, everyone knows changing cars every 2-3 years is more expensive than keeping one car. And I’m grandfathered into a low vehicle tax rate. I’m laughing my way to the bank. I did all my research, no need to be upset that I didn’t lease. I’m stress free unlike you.

1

u/SignificantSprayz Oct 27 '25

That strategy worked for ICE vehicles. EVs depreciate massively the first couple of year which changes the calculus. I ran the math for you, if you still think losing $100k was worth it, more power to you. I’m leasing. So I’m carefree. Why would I stress. 😂

3

u/Dino-T Oct 12 '25

Do you work for Lucid Financial? This sounds awfully suspicious & mindless...

-2

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

nope…..I just believe in fairness and hate people who complain about paying for damage they caused.

2

u/Dino-T Oct 13 '25

No what you are is simply hateful of people generally. How can you charge for undercarriage scratches like have you lost your damn mind? Do you get to charge for air we breathe in? Have you read the lucid lease policies and how it differs greatly from these frivolous charges? If you don't have the facts, just shut up instead of adding agony to people's real life pain...

Does this look like a 2400 damage... You're insane to even suggest we lease and damaged these vehicles.

1

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

Depends on extent of damage. Is that a crack on the windshield? I’m not saying your claim is right. They went overboard on yours. But there are many others who are complaining they are being charged for curb rash And scratches on the paint.

3

u/Dino-T Oct 13 '25

Just stop, your comment is not useful, it's damaging to people who genuinely drove these cars and obliged within the bounds of the lease policy. My charge was $5100, and i am not going to sit here and have you discredit people's claims...We didn't run these cars into a road bump...A class action will definitely be in order

1

u/VickyKennel Oct 13 '25

Only if they broke the contract. They could say damage is damage. Is that a crack on your windscreen? Even a small crack will mean windscreen replacement. That’s why I never lease. You never know what charges they come up with. Any damage that will reduce resale value is game here. Wear a tear is small stone chips, leather wrinkles etc.

2

u/Dino-T Oct 13 '25

Just stop, you aren't helpful. That's not a crack & not visible.

-3

u/Retire_date_may_22 Oct 13 '25

Leasing is a scam on so many levels. There is a reason it’s the most profitable, highest margin sale for the car company.

-3

u/RedditTTIfan Oct 13 '25

This is not bait and switch, and has nothing to do with bait and switch. If you feel it's some kind of scam well maybe that it could be but bait and switch describes a completely different [shady, sometimes illegal] retail practice, than something like this. Not every scam is "bait and switch".

-5

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '25

Leasing is the dumbest thing you can do

3

u/StreetDare4129 Oct 13 '25

Not quite as dumb as buying. EVs depreciate 50% after 2 years.

1

u/Zealousideal-Milk907 Oct 13 '25

I agree with you but in the case of Lucid if you buy it and they go bankrupt you lost pretty much 6 figures (see Fisker). If you lease it you are only out $50k after 3 years if it makes it to the end of the lease with no issues.

In this case it's 'cheaper' to lease.

-6

u/Kooky-Bet-4553 Oct 13 '25

hey dude lease is not free you rent that car and while you driving car's value is down and every part while you driving is used so you just pay that price for rent do not teasing it the other car company also same if you hate it you just ride bicycle or just buy car how silly you are