Lease car return - damage

[Remster500]

I’m shortly returning my private lease vehicle and have a question regarding acceptable damage and charges.

Car is 5 years old with 35-40k mileage.

Well looked after and serviced with main dealer on time.

Only marks on car are some normal stone chips to front, commensurate with mileage, a couple of minor kerb marks on alloys and the damage below.

I am trying to gauge whether it’s worth getting a smart repair on the damage below or leave and pay the charge from lease co. Any ideas from personal experience what charges will be applied?

I’m guessing the stone chips and kerb marks are classed as normal wear & tear - not chargeable?

Damage is on C pillar. [url]

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[Ham_and_Jam]

Mileage, lovingly cared for and sentimentality are irrelevant to the charges you will incur.

Most car lease companies are BVRLA Registered. Just reference the fair, wear and tear guidelines. That will be what they use to assess the damage. Request the charging matrix they use and go from there.

Historically it had usually been cheaper to leave the damage than repair, but obviously without knowing who you are dealing with and how reputable they are it’s not conclusive.

[Canon_Fodder]

IME the inspectors have a particular fascination with alloy scuffs and often try to charge £65 (or whatever) per corner for tiny little scratches which I have always 'not accepted' and have never paid

[Ham_and_Jam]

Canon_Fodder said:

IME the inspectors have a particular fascination with alloy scuffs and often try to charge £65 (or whatever) per corner for tiny little scratches which I have always 'not accepted' and have never paid

I’ve returned 4 x cars over the last 10 years. All zero charges.

Only one tried to charge. I seem to remember it was about £350 for stone chipped bonnet and a scuffed wheel.

I contested the bonnet as fair wear and tear. They agree and dropped all charges including the wheel which was legitimate.