Fair Wear and Tear Guide
Fair Wear and Tear Return Standards for Lease Cars
The following standards are advised by Lease Profiles when you are returning a lease vehicle at the end of contract. Generally these standards are those applied by the BVRLA, British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which all major leasing companies adhere to.
What is Fair Wear and Tear?
This is the deterioration a car naturally has over time through normal day to day use. It does not relate to damage caused from a specific accident, misuse or neglect by the driver. As with all things in life there is a grey area so the BVRLA has put a set of guides in place to help drivers, fleet operators and the finance companies decide what is considered as fair wear and tear and what is unacceptable damage.
What to do before your car is returned.
Carry out an inspection a month or so prior to the car being returned, this will give you enough time to carry out any small repairs if required. Take notes and look objectively at the vehicle as if you were buying the car, if you think any damage is not acceptable you are likely to be right. Lease Profiles advises taking some digital photographs of the vehicle, make sure you cover all angles of the car and also the wheels and interior so you have a record of the vehicle’s condition before it is returned. If you are returning a vehicle with some damage, make sure you have a clear picture of it. This will give you a record of the vehicle’s condition should a dispute arise. Be sure to check over the collection note in detail and keep a copy once you have both signed it, any damage not noted on the collection note appearing later can not be disputed.
What to have Ready
- Have the car cleaned, inside and out, so it is easy to inspect
- Keys, Including all the spares
- Service book, which must be stamped and up to date. It will be part of the contract requirements that the vehicle has been serviced in accordance to the manufactures recommended service schedule.
- Have the handbooks including radio manual (inc radio code) present.
What's acceptable and what's not?
Scratches
Scratches up to 25mm are acceptable but Scratches over 25mm are unacceptable. If you can see the primer or bare metal this will not be acceptable however long the scratch.
Badges
Be sure to remove all company badges, logos and residual glue from the car
Dents
Small dents, up to 10mm, such as a small car parking dent may be acceptable but any larger dents or large areas of chipping will be recharged if not repaired. There should be no signs of rust or broken paint. Poor repairs may also be recharged, so make sure any repairs are carried out to a reasonable standard.
Chips
Some stone chips are acceptable so long as they have not showing sings of corrosion. Some chips to the leading edge of the bonnet or door edge are acceptable but anything requiring the panel to be painted will not be accepted.
Windscreen and Glass
A small chip on the windscreen would be acceptable but we always suggest getting any chips repaired straight away, it’s normally free with most insurers.
Make sure all lights work and there are no holes in any of the lenses. You can normally tell if the lens has signs of water ingress. Door mirrors need to be in place, working and not cracked.
Wheel Damage
Wheels damaged from kerbing or from pot holes will not be acceptable. Tyres too must be free from damage across the tread and sidewall. They must of course be legal too!
Small Scuffs up to 25mm long on alloy wheels are acceptable
Moulding, wheel arch trims
Some scratches and scuffs are acceptable so long as the trim molding is not broken deformed or cracked.
Soft Top Hoods
Hoods must function and not have any tears. Any windows must not be cracked or creased. If the vehicle was supplied with a tonneau cover this must be returned.
Tow Bars
If you have fitted a tow bar it should be returned rust free and in working order. Don’t forget to have the ball cover in place.
MOT
If the vehicle is over 36 months old it is the driver’s responsibility to return the vehicle with an MOT. If you have a fully maintained contract this will cover the cost of this.
Brakes
Must be free from damage caused by excessive wear caused from metal to metal contact.
Engine
Check levels of oil and coolant
Transmission
Synchromesh to function on manual transmissions, clutch in good working order (not slipping) Automatics should be quiet and change gear smoothly.
Cigarette burns or Rips and Interior
Rips or cigarette burns will be treated as damage. You must also ensure all trim is intact and functioning. Some wear to carpet surface and seats is to be expected. Try to leave the vehicle odor free!
Scratches to the door treads and sills is to be expected.
Private plates
Allow a couple of months to remove your cherished number please contact the finance company directly
If you are in any doubt if your lease car has damage you may be re charged for, take a photograph and email it to sales@leaseprofiles.co.uk and will be glad to look at it for you and give you our advice.