Noticed some damage on your lease car and not sure what to do? Here we look at what you will be liable for, and what you can get away with...
When you return your lease vehicle at the end of the agreement, it will be evaluated for damage that falls outside of ‘fair wear and tear’. But what is the definition of this?
Well, handily, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) provides an industry-standard guide to wear and tear on a lease vehicle, although it’s worth bearing in mind that each finance company normally has a wear and tear guide of its own. This is why it is always advisable to check your finance company’s own policy.
The most common lease repairs are:
Scratches on paintwork.
Dents or chips on the bodywork.
Burns, rips or tears to the upholstery or carpets.
Damage to the wheels.
To ensure you are not left with a costly bill at the end of your lease, it is advisable to prepare early for your lease vehicle to be returned.
Key points to remember:
Start inspecting your lease vehicle a few months before it is due to be returned, to allow you time to make all necessary repairs.
Obtain a copy of the wear and tear guide from the finance company.
Make sure all vehicle keys are returned, including any spares.
Assessing your vehicle:
Make sure the vehicle has been fully valeted and inspect the vehicle in good light.
Examine each panel on the exterior carefully and look for any scratches or dents. Dents up to 10mm (no more than two per panel) and scratches up to 25mm are normally acceptable. It’s always best to ask a friend to help you.
Check all windows, glass, door mirrors and lights. Light scratches are acceptable as long as they don’t interfere with the driver’s line of sight. There must be no holes, chips or cracks, though.
Crouch down at the front and rear of the vehicle and look for any damage along the sides.
Check all tyres and wheels; the alloys or wheel trims mustn’t be curbed, plus the spare wheels must be intact.
Check the upholstered parts of the vehicle for any burns, tears or rips.