Lease return guide

Lease return inspection checklist

Written by Scuffaroo · Last reviewed 9 August 2026

An everyday lease car being checked before return
In short

Before your lease return, walk around the car in good daylight and check each panel, wheel, light and interior surface against the BVRLA fair wear and tear standard. Anything you can catch a fingernail on, any dent larger than about 10mm, and any kerbed alloy is likely to be charged — so it's worth fixing before the inspector sees it.

Before you start

Clean the car first. Dirt hides some damage and exaggerates other marks, and inspectors assess a clean car. Check in daylight, not a dark garage, and look at each panel straight on and then at an angle, where scratches and dents show up.

Have your phone ready to photograph anything you find — you can get fixed quotes for repairs directly from a photo.

Bodywork — panel by panel

  • Front and rear bumpers — scuffs, scrapes and cracks (the most commonly charged area)
  • Doors — dents from car parks, scratches along the handles and lower edges
  • Wings and quarter panels — kerb and gatepost scrapes around the wheel arches
  • Bonnet and roof — stone chips, bird-lime etching, scratches
  • Boot lid and tailgate — loading scuffs and dents

Wheels and tyres

  • Each alloy — kerb scuffs, gouges and lacquer damage (charged per wheel)
  • Tyres — legal tread depth (1.6mm minimum), even wear, no cuts or bulges
  • Spare or repair kit present and correct where supplied

Glass, lights and mirrors

  • Windscreen — chips and cracks, especially in the driver's line of sight
  • Headlights, indicators and rear lights — cracks or moisture
  • Door mirrors — casing scuffs and cracked glass

Interior

  • Seats and trim — tears, burns, stubborn stains
  • Dashboard and controls — scratches, missing buttons, warning lights
  • Boot floor and load area — tears and heavy scuffing
  • All keys, the handbook and any removable equipment present
A trained inspector assesses damage against the BVRLA fair wear and tear standard — reasonable use is expected, but damage beyond it is chargeable. If in doubt about a specific mark, our fair wear and tear guide shows where the line usually falls.

If you find chargeable damage

Your agreement may allow repairs before handback if the work meets the required standard. Check the terms first, compare any quote with the provider’s published charge guide, and keep the repair details. Any chosen repair needs to be finished before the return date.

Common questions

How long before return should I do the inspection?
The BVRLA suggests appraising the car around 10–12 weeks before return, which leaves time to arrange repairs. Even a few weeks is usually enough for cosmetic work.
Can I arrange repairs before handback?
You usually can, but the work must meet the standard required by your agreement. DIY touch-ups may be assessed as poor repairs, so use a professional and keep the repair record.
What is fair wear and tear?
It is the reasonable deterioration expected from normal use over the contract — light marks and minor wear. Damage beyond that, such as dents, kerbed alloys and scratches through the paint, is chargeable.
Got damage to sort before handback?
Upload photos and request up to three fixed-price quotes from local repairers on Scuffaroo.
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