Dwindling demand for sport-utility vehicles has depressed auction prices. These gas guzzlers have lost value at about twice the normal rate, said Craig Carrow, vice president of automotive solutions at Fiserv Lending Solutions.

Though vehicle values are largely down nationwide, SUVs continue to fetch the highest prices in California. Still, "there is not as strong a difference as there used to be," Carrow said. "Prices used to be $1,000 to $1,200 better, and now they are half as much," he added.

Fiserv unit RSA, which will remarket about 120,000 vehicles this year, works with financiers to devise methods to minimize lease-end losses. For instance, if a lessor is on pace to lose $5,000 per vehicle, RSA might offer 0.9% financing or a $2,500 rebate to spark vehicle sales at end of term.