Fair Wear and Tear

Fair Wear and Tear Guide for Lease Cars

Summary

When it’s time to hand your lease car back, you'll want to make sure it’s in good shape to avoid any unexpected charges. The good news? You’re not expected to return it in showroom condition. A bit of wear is totally normal – that’s where the term "fair wear and tear" comes in. This guide explains what’s acceptable, what’s not, and how to prep your car before collection day. Quick tip: a little TLC before the handover can go a long way in keeping your end-of-lease experience stress-free.

What is Fair Wear and Tear?

Fair wear and tear covers the everyday signs of use that come with regular driving – not damage from accidents, misuse, or neglect. Think light scuffs, minor seat creases, and a bit of tyre wear. Lease companies expect some of this and won’t charge you for it.

But if the car has dents, deep scratches, missing parts, or very worn tyres, that’s likely to fall outside the “fair” zone – and it could mean repair costs.

What’s Usually Considered Fair Wear and Tear

Here’s a general idea of what lease providers tend to accept:

• Exterior:

  • Light scratches (up to 25mm, not through to primer or metal)

  • Small chips (like stone chips) that don’t expose rust

  • Minor scuffs on wheels and bumpers

• Interior:

  • Light creasing on seats

  • Small marks or stains that can be cleaned

  • Normal carpet wear

• Tyres & Wheels:

  • Evenly worn tyres that meet minimum legal tread (usually 1.6mm)

  • Minor alloy scuffs

• Glass & Lights:

  • Small chips that don’t affect driver vision

  • Working lights with no major cracks

What’s Not Considered Fair Wear and Tear

These are the sorts of things that could trigger end-of-lease charges:

• Exterior:

  • Deep scratches, dents, or rust

  • Cracked bumpers or trim

  • Missing badges or trims

• Interior:

  • Rips, burns, or heavily stained seats

  • Broken controls, damaged dashboard or torn headlining

  • Pet damage (hair, scratches, smells)

• Tyres & Wheels:

  • Bald or unevenly worn tyres

  • Damaged or buckled alloys

• Glass & Lights:

  • Cracked windscreens

  • Broken or non-working lights

How to Get Your Car Ready

A little bit of prep goes a long way. Here’s what we suggest:

1. Give it a good clean – inside and out. You’ll see what condition it’s in more clearly, and so will the inspector.

2. Check for damage. Walk around the car like a lease inspector would. Look closely at paint, alloys, windscreen, and interior.

3. Fix the small stuff. A quick valet or minor scratch repair might cost less than what the lease company would charge.

4. Sort the paperwork. Make sure you return things like both keys, the handbook, service records, and locking wheel nuts.

5. Book a pre-inspection if you're unsure. Some lease providers offer this so you know where you stand before collection day.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

You’ll usually get a handover date from your lease provider near the end of your contract. Don’t leave prep until the day before – give yourself at least a week or two to check things over and sort anything that needs attention.

Need Help or Advice?

If you’re not sure whether something counts as fair wear and tear, just give us a shout. We’re happy to guide you through it or help arrange a tidy-up if needed.