How to Avoid Lease Return Charges: BVRLA Guide & Repair Strategy

The BVRLA publishes a Fair Wear and Tear Guide that sets out what is and isn't acceptable on a returned lease vehicle. The key thresholds for cosmetic damage are:

• Paintwork scratches: Acceptable if they can be removed by machine polish and do not penetrate through the lacquer. Any scratch that has reached the colour coat or primer is chargeable.
• Dents: Acceptable if smaller than 10mm in diameter and not on a panel edge or crease line. Multiple small dents are chargeable even if individually below the threshold.
• Bumpers: Light scuffs confined to the bumper surface may be acceptable if under 25mm. Any scrape with paint loss, cracking or distortion is chargeable.
• Alloy wheels: Light surface marks from normal road use are acceptable. Any kerbing that has broken through the lacquer or deformed the rim profile is chargeable.
• Glass: Chips in the driver's line of sight are chargeable. Chips outside the driver's line of sight under 10mm in diameter are generally acceptable.

The guide is intentionally written in the finance company's favour. When in doubt, repair rather than rely on the inspector's interpretation.

These are the rates most commonly applied by BVRLA-member finance companies in 2026. They are not what repair costs — they are what the finance company charges you:

• Alloy wheel kerb damage (per wheel): £75 – £150
• Paint chip (per chip, exterior panel): £35 – £75
• Panel scratch (per scratch): £85 – £200
• Bumper scuff: £100 – £200
• Bumper scrape with paint loss: £175 – £300
• Dent (without paint damage): £75 – £175
• Dent with paint damage: £150 – £300
• Windscreen chip (line of sight): £50 – £150

A typical vehicle returned with two kerbed alloys, a bumper scuff and three panel scratches could face charges of £600 – £1,100. The same damage repaired privately before handback costs £300 – £500 through a mobile SMART repairer.

Always repair before handback:

• Kerbed alloy wheels — the inspector's charge is always higher than a mobile refurb
• Bumper scuffs and scrapes — £120–£200 to repair vs £150–£300 to be charged
• Scratches that have broken through the lacquer — sub-threshold scratch charges stack up fast
• Any dent with paint cracking — cracked paint triggers the higher damage-plus-paint charge

Consider leaving:

• Tiny stone chips in the bonnet (often accepted under fair wear and tear if under 3mm)
• Light interior wear consistent with normal use (seat bolster rubbing, pedal rubber wear)
• Tyres above the minimum legal tread depth — check your contract terms, most require 1.6mm or 2mm minimum

Before the inspection, conduct your own photographic walk-around. For each panel:

• Shoot in daylight with the sun at a low angle (this shows surface scratches that are otherwise invisible)
• Include a ruler or coin in the frame for any damage you are documenting as sub-threshold
• Photograph all four wheels close-up, including the inner rim lip
• Photograph the windscreen from inside the car, directly in the driver's line of sight
• Record a short video walk-around timestamped before the inspector arrives

If you've had lease return repairs done, keep your invoice and the before/after photos from the repairer. This is your evidence that a previously chargeable item has been professionally resolved. DentDash provides a full photographic record with every repair.

Book repairs at least 2–3 weeks before the handback date. This ensures:

• Paint and lacquer have fully cured (typically 5–7 days to full hardness)
• You have time to review the finished work and raise any concerns
• You are not rushed into a slot that leaves the repair fresh on inspection day

DentDash handles full pre-handback packages — multiple panels, alloys and bumpers in a single collection — across Devon and Somerset. The car is returned the same day with a full repair record.