Leasing a car has its perks, but avoiding common mistakes can mean big savings down the road

Even with low interest rates that make buying a car more affordable, many consumers are leasing a new car or truck instead.

New vehicle leasing climbed in the first three months of 2013 to the highest level in seven years, according to Experian Automotive, a unit of credit data tracker Experian. Leasing made up nearly 28 percent of all new vehicles financed in the quarter — the greatest proportion in records that go back to 2006.

"Lenders have seen overall stability come back to the market since the recession, and leasing has gradually returned as a larger part of many lender strategies," said Melinda Zabritski, senior director of automotive credit at Experian.

Leasing has its perks, especially if you want to drive a new car every couple of years while keeping monthly payments low. But understanding whether leasing is right for you and how complex lease agreements work is essential to avoid ending up paying more than you bargained for.

Here are six tips to get a good deal when leasing a new car or truck:

1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEASING AND BUYING

Generally, buying a car and holding onto it for many years is the least expensive way to own a vehicle.

While cars and trucks depreciate, or lose value over time, the vehicles retain some value that you can always turn around and apply toward your next purchase.

But if you lease, you only get to drive the car for a fixed period of time. Your monthly lease payments go toward paying for the depreciation in the vehicle, not ownership. And there are restrictions on how many miles you can rack up on the car during the lease period. When the lease term expires, you can buy the car or lease another new vehicle.

Leasing offers many benefits, particularly when it comes to payments.

While some dealerships will ask for some money down, the monthly payment will typically be less than what you'd pay if you borrowed money to buy the car.

And the short-term commitment opens the door for you to drive a newer car after a couple of years.

"If you're really focusing on your short-term financial situation, lease has much appeal," Jeff Bartlett, deputy editor at ConsumerReports.org. "But if you have the luxury of looking long-term, buying will be a better investment."

Still not sure whether it lease or buy? Try running the numbers through online calculators like this one: www.bankrate.com/calculators/auto/lease-buy-car.aspx

1. DON'T FORGET TO HAGGLE

Consumers have become accustomed to haggling over the price of a car, down payment or interest rate on a loan when buying a car, but few realize you can employ the same strategy when you lease.

"Many people fall into the allure of the low monthly price that is being offered to them," Bartlett says. "You're just handing over to the dealer more money."

As in a purchase transaction, experts recommend someone contemplating a lease take steps to familiarize themselves with the sticker price and any factory incentives being offered on the car. Then haggle with the sales staff to get a lower price before applying the lease terms.

1. BE REALISTIC ABOUT MILEAGE

Lease contracts include limits over how many miles you can put on the vehicle. Once you go above the limit set forth in the lease, you'll be charged a per-mile rate.

A common annual limit is 12,000 miles, though some drivers may be tempted to opt for as low as 10,000 miles to save money. Be realistic about how much you'll need to drive, or you could face hundreds of dollars in fees at the end of the lease term.

One option is to prepay for additional miles at a lower rate. But make sure you have it built into the lease agreement that you'll be credited for any unused miles.

1. AVOID LEASES LONGER THAN THREE YEARS

More than half of all new auto leases are for between two and three years, according to Experian.

Dealerships are increasingly offering longer lease periods, but you should resist leases that run for more than three years, advises Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for car research site Edmunds.com. That's because longer lease terms can expose you to having to pay for repairs such as tire and brake replacements.

1. THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING YOUR LEASED VEHICLE

At the end of the lease term, you'll have the right to buy the car you've been leasing for a predetermined amount known as the residual value.

With few exceptions, you'll generally end up paying more than if you had just bought the car to begin with, says Bartlett.

Reed advises that drivers get an estimate for the value of their vehicle when they near the end of their lease term before deciding whether to buy it.

1. REMEMBER THERE'S ALWAYS AN OUT

Websites like www.leasetrader.com and www.swapalease.com connect drivers who want out of their lease agreement early with car shoppers looking to take over an auto lease contract.