Leasing companies charge for damage beyond 'fair wear and tear' at lease return. A pre-return inspection (done 1–3 months before return) tells you exactly what they will charge so you can decide whether to repair it yourself (often cheaper) or pay the lease company's rate. Common charges: £50–£200 per scratch / dent in the UK; $50–$500 in the US per panel. Interior damage, tyre wear, and missing items (spare keys, handbooks) also carry charges. Book the manufacturer or BVRLA/ARC-approved inspection in advance.
Common lease return charges
| Item | Typical charge (UK) | Typical charge (US) | DIY fix cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch (minor, 25mm+) | £50–£150 | $50–$200 | £20–£80 (touch-up or SMART repair) |
| Dent (small, without paint damage) | £75–£200 | $75–$250 | £50–£150 (paintless dent repair) |
| Alloy wheel scuff | £50–£150 per wheel | $100–$300 per wheel | £40–£100 (kerb repair service) |
| Windscreen chip | £50–£200 | $50–$300 | £0–£40 (often covered by insurance) |
| Tyre below minimum tread | £100–£200 per tyre | $100–$250 per tyre | £60–£100 (budget tyre replacement) |
| Missing second key | £150–£400 | $200–$600 | Order from dealer in advance |
| Interior stain (seat/carpet) | £50–£200 | $50–$300 | £20–£80 (professional valet) |
What 'fair wear and tear' actually means
Every lease contract defines what the lessor considers acceptable condition at return. 'Fair wear and tear' is the industry standard — it acknowledges that a car used normally for 3–4 years will have minor scuffs and light wear, and these are included in the residual value calculation. What is not covered: damage, large scratches, dents with paint damage, missing items, and mechanical issues caused by neglect.
In the UK, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) publishes a Fair Wear and Tear Guide that many lessors use as the benchmark. Checking this guide (free online) before your inspection is the most direct way to understand what the inspector will be measuring against.
Book a pre-return inspection
Most major lessors in the UK and US offer a pre-return inspection 1–3 months before the lease end, conducted by an approved third party. This inspection produces a report showing exactly which items they will charge for, using the same standards as the final return inspection. The purpose is to give you time to address issues before the return date.
In the UK, DEKRA and Glass's conduct BVRLA-approved pre-inspections. In the US, AutoVin and similar services conduct pre-return inspections for major captive finance companies. Importantly: at the pre-inspection, you can dispute items you believe fall within fair wear and tear, which is harder to do at the final return.
Walk-around checklist: what to look for
Exterior
- Paintwork: walk the car in bright daylight or use a torch at a low angle to find scratches, chips, and scuffs on every panel. Pay attention to door edges, sills, and bumper corners.
- Dents: check every panel with a sweep from different angles. Paintless dent repair (PDR) can fix small dents for much less than lease company rates.
- Alloy wheels: kerb damage is one of the most commonly charged items. Any scuff beyond 25mm will typically be charged.
- Windscreen: chips from road debris. Many UK insurance policies cover windscreen repairs with no excess — fix now if you haven't already.
- Lights: check all lights function; a cracked lens is a charge item.
Tyres and underbody
- Tread depth: UK legal minimum is 1.6mm; lease companies often require 3mm minimum. Measure with a gauge (cheap to buy or borrow from a tyre shop). If borderline, replace before return.
- Tyre condition: cuts, bulges, or run-flat damage beyond tread wear are charged separately from tread.
- Spare tyre / tyre repair kit: check it is present and in working order.
Interior
- Upholstery: stains, tears, and burns all attract charges. A professional valet before return often costs less than the lessor's cleaning or repair charge.
- Carpets and mats: standard floor mats must be present and undamaged.
- Dashboard and trim: scratches on interior plastic panels are sometimes charged.
- Technology and controls: check all screens, infotainment, and controls function.
- Keys: both keys (or key cards) must be present. Missing keys are expensive — sometimes £300–£600 to replace.
Documentation and accessories
- Service history: full main-dealer or manufacturer-approved service history is required. Missing stamps reduce the car's value and will be charged.
- Owner's manual, spare wheel, locking wheel nut key where applicable.
The repair-or-pay decision
For each defect the pre-inspection identifies, compare: (a) the lessor's stated charge vs (b) the cost of getting it repaired locally. PDR for a small dent might cost $80 vs a $250 charge. Alloy refurbishment at a local tyre shop might cost $80 vs a $200 charge. Many lessor rates are set conservatively high, and local repair is often 40–60% cheaper.
Keep receipts for any repairs. If the final inspection inspector queries a repaired item, a receipt proving it was professionally addressed strengthens your position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide?
Can I dispute a lease return charge?
Should I pay for damage from an accident differently to standard wear?
What if the lease company charges me after I've returned the car?
Is it worth doing a professional detail before lease return?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
