Car leasing fair wear and tear summary

When your car leasing contract ends, your car will be inspected for damage, such as scuffs and dents.

Normal usage can inevitably result in a few scratches and bumps and finance companies are aware of this and will allow for a certain amount of imperfection. This allowance is called ‘fair wear and tear’ and outlines the minimum standard your vehicle should be returned in.

The BVLRA (the trade body for the leasing sector in the UK) create the industry standard, so regardless of which finance company your lease is with the BVLRA guidelines will always apply to you.

These guidelines are applicable to cars.

For commerical vehicles, please see our Van Leasing Fair Wear and Tear guide.

General Advice

It is advisable to undertake a thorough check on your car at least one month before your leasing contract is due to end. This gives you time to recognise and rectify damage that falls outside of the fair wear and tear guidelines before your car gets collected.

You should thoroughly clean the interior and exterior prior to inspecting your car. Inspect your clean (and dry) car in natural daylight to have the best chance of spotting any damage that may need to be repaired.

Leave all documents relating to the vehicle in it!

We recommend deleting any personal information from the satellite navigation system. Take out all of your belongings - check underneath the seats and check all storage areas.

Your vehicle must be of current MOT standard. This also means the tread on your tyres must be at least the minimum UK standard which is a tread depth of 1.6mm.

What you should return

If something came in the car when it was delivered, it needs to be sent back on collection.

This includes but may not be limited to:

  • Keys, including the spare. Flat batteries should be replaced.
  • The owner's manual
  • Service history record
  • Any supplied radio code cards
  • Any emergency equipment supplied e.g. warning triangle
  • The spare wheel or tyre inflation/mobility set
  • Valid MOT if applicable
  • Any optional equipment that isn't fixed; so roof rails, tow bars etc.

Bodywork

Accepted Wear and Tear

  • Small chips, if there is no correction present
  • Any scratches up to 25mm, as long as there is no primer or bare metal showing
  • Dents up to 10mm, as long as there are no more than 2 per panel and the paint surface is not broken
  • Small areas of chipping on door edges

Unacceptable Wear and Tear

  • Any damage resulting from a collision or impact
  • Areas of chipping sufficiently large that the panel must be re-painted
  • Any stickers or residue from the removal of stickers

Tyres and wheels

Accepted Wear and Tear

  • Surface deterioration on alloy wheels
  • Scuffs of up to 25mm on alloys
  • Tyres with 1.6mm tread depth or more

Unacceptable Wear and Tear

  • Any damage to the side wall of tyres
  • Damage to wheels/alloys caused by kerbing
  • Any holes or cracks in wheel trims
  • Tyres with a tread of less than 1.6mm depth

Windows, lights and external mirrors

Accepted Wear and Tear

  • Any light scratches on the windscreen or passenger windows that do not interfere with the drivers line of sight
  • Surface damage to light casings

Unacceptable Wear and Tear

  • Windscreen chips
  • Damaged or missing door mirrors
  • Any holes in light casings that could allow water through, all lights must be working

Interior

Accepted Wear and Tear

  • Any stains that will be successfully removed by general cleaning
  • Seats that show deterioration due to normal usage
  • Discolouration due to day to day usage
  • Any added phone fixings can be left so long as they are properly fitted

Unacceptable Wear and Tear

  • Any unpleasant odour or soiling that is unlikely to be removed by general cleaning
  • Any abrasion, cut, tear or deformation of interior materials (e.g. seats, carpets and floor mats)
  • Any holes, spaces or gaps left from the removal of equipment
  • Any missing seats or mirrors

This guide provides a snapshot of the BVRLA fair wear and tear Guide which was accurate at the time of publication. For up to date details please call us on 01273 433 480 or email info@rivervaleleasing.co.uk.

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