Fair wear and tear on a lease car

What "fair wear and tear" generally means

Over the course of a lease, a vehicle used normally will pick up minor marks — small stone chips, light scuffs, some interior wear on frequently touched surfaces. The general principle is that this kind of gradual, low-level deterioration shouldn't be charged back to the driver, because it's an expected consequence of ordinary use rather than something the driver did wrong or failed to prevent. Damage that goes beyond this — for example a deep dent, a cracked alloy, or torn upholstery — is more likely to be treated as chargeable.

Where exactly that line falls is a judgement call, and it's applied by the person or company inspecting the vehicle. That's why fair wear and tear is so often the point of disagreement between drivers and leasing companies.

Where the standard comes from

Many UK leasing companies reference an industry fair wear and tear standard in their terms and conditions — commonly theBVRLA's Fair Wear and Tear Guide, which sets out illustrated examples and thresholds. LeaseChargeCheck is not affiliated with the BVRLA and doesn't reproduce their guide here. If your leasing company references a specific standard, check your own agreement and ask them directly for a copy of the standard they've applied to your vehicle.

Factors that often affect the assessment

• The age and mileage of the vehicle at return
• The size, depth, number and location of any marks
• Whether damage affects function/safety or is purely cosmetic
• Whether the vehicle was maintained and serviced as required
• The specific standard referenced in your lease agreement

Why this matters when you're checking your invoice

Because fair wear and tear is a judgement rather than a fixed rule, it's worth checking each charged item individually rather than accepting a total figure at face value. Photographs from handover and return, and the inspection report itself, are usually the most useful evidence when you're deciding whether to query a specific charge.

For a category-by-category look at the kinds of damage charges this usually covers, see our guide tolease car damage charges. For the full return and invoicing process, see our main guide tolease return charges. If you think a charge goes beyond fair wear and tear, see our guide todisputing lease return charges.

This page is general information for UK motorists and is not legal or financial advice. LeaseChargeCheck does not assess or certify whether any specific mark or charge meets a fair wear and tear standard.