Why get an inspection if you know what's wrong?
Because the lease company will check to a standard that most people don't know about -- and we check to that same standard. We are specifically looking for things that might cost you a lot of money: lots of small areas of damage that add up past the charges threshold, or items people forget like the spare key or the locking wheel nut. Missing a locking wheel nut alone can mean a £150--£500 recharge.
The other reason is the report. We supply a detailed PDF with photographs of the car's condition before it goes back. If you receive charges you disagree with, that report is the evidence you fight back with -- and without it, it's your word against theirs.
Are you BVRLA members?
Not any more. We used to be associate members -- full membership is for leasing companies -- and we have been trained by the BVRLA to their standard. We are here to look after the customer, not the lease company. We are fully independent.
What happens when the car is collected?
The lease company sends a driver. He will go round the car, ask you to sign, and take the keys. In our experience most drivers try to put you at ease -- "you'll be fine" -- because arguing slows them down and they genuinely don't know whether you'll be charged. The car then goes to a compound, usually at an auction, where a BVRLA-trained inspector goes through it properly. Two to three weeks later you get a report and a bill if there is anything to charge for.
Lease companies are not generally out to get you. Their charges are usually at trade rates -- often less than you'd pay to have the same repair done yourself. The danger is accumulation: items that individually fall under the threshold can combine to push you over it.
Can I dispute charges?
We once had a customer receive a recharge for a missing locking wheel nut. They disputed it successfully -- because when we inspected the car, it was present, and we had a photograph to prove it. The driver who collected the car had simply not put it back. Without our report, there would have been nothing to argue with.
~ Gary
You can dispute charges, and many of our customers have done so successfully. It is far easier when you have an independent report showing the car's condition before return. The BVRLA also has an arbitration process if you need to escalate.
Should I just get everything repaired for peace of mind?
No -- this is one of the most common and expensive mistakes people make. Your lease contract allows for a certain amount of fair wear and tear, and the lease company has a charges threshold below which they won't bill you at all. Repairing everything regardless means spending money you don't need to spend. The right approach is to assess the car properly first, understand what the recharges would actually be, and then decide what's worth fixing.
Should I get my scuffed wheels refurbished before return?
Not necessarily. The recharge for a scuffed alloy is often £60--£80 per wheel -- sometimes less than the cost of having it refurbished properly. If the rest of the car is in good condition and you're under the threshold, the lease company may not charge you at all. It depends on what else is on the car. This is exactly the kind of decision our inspection helps you make -- we'll tell you whether it's worth doing, not just whether it can be done.
Does my car need to be valeted before the inspection?
It needs to be clean enough for us to inspect it properly. If the car is excessively dirty, or has stains or smells that could result in recharges, it's worth addressing those. But we wouldn't recommend spending a lot on a full valet before a lease return -- the car doesn't need to be in concours condition, just clean enough to assess accurately.
Can I dispute end-of-lease charges?
Yes, and it is much easier with an independent inspection report. Without one, it is your word against the lease company's report -- and by the time the bill arrives, the car has usually already gone to auction. With our report and photographs taken before return, you have a dated, independent record of the car's condition. The BVRLA also has a formal arbitration process if you need to escalate a dispute.
For more answers to lease return questions, take a look at our End of Lease Car knowledge base.
Ingmaras Keleras
Gary Smith