Car end of lease - anyone had any issues?

pandazo

Hi all,

I'm currently doing a bit of research into what happens at the end of a car lease, to see whether or not people have experienced issues when returning their car.

Personally I've never leased a car (only owned), therefore I cannot share my own experiences at all, but any help would be appreciated.

I've read a few stories (not relevant in terms of dates) which mention people who have had their car inspected before handing it back, with it being signed off as in fine condition, to later receive an expensive fine for damage that doesn't exist. Has anyone had this? Please explain what happened!

Also I've read a little about people being overcharged for minor damage, such as scratches, which can be fixed privately for around £200, but people have been charged as much as £850!

Any help would be great, just so I can understand the problems and issues people have had in the UK with leased cars. Thank you ever so much

Hintza

Valet it and get any dings and scratches seen to before handing it back.

pandazo

Good info - although unfortunately, not what I'm looking for! I've read lots of advice regarding how to make sure you're not charged before handing it back.

Just looking to hear if anyone has actually had any issues with their own leased cars!

motorguy

pandazo wrote: »

Good info - although unfortunately, not what I'm looking for! I've read lots of advice regarding how to make sure you're not charged before handing it back.

Just looking to hear if anyone has actually had any issues with their own leased cars!

It might not have been the answer you were looking for, but its the correct answer.

They WILL look for dings, scratches and kerbed alloys and charge you a disproportionate amount of money to sort them out, thus make there you give them no reason to. Also take photos on the day of return of every angle of the car to show there are no marks.

Oh, and make sure its serviced and stamped up in line with manufacturers recommendations. They dont like that not being done either.

If you ask for horror stories you will get them, however they may only represent 1% of returns and may - arguably - have been justified by the lease company.

pandazo

Motorguy - yes I know it's the correct answer!

I've already done all my research on what they look for, how to avoid being charged for damage etc. I also know you have to return the car within the required specifics from the lease company and/or the actual manufacturer. I'm well aware of it all.

As I said, I'm not leasing a car and never have. I know all about leasing how to return the car, how not to get charged, etc.

i'm not looking for "horror" stories - simply looking to hear if anyone has had any issues at the end of their lease agreement and to why/how these issues arise i.e. is it the fault of the driver (not read the terms of the lease correctly)? Is it the fault of the lease company (have they not made their terms clear/are they overcharging for damage repairs)?

That was all - just trying to see IF people had encountered any issues. I'm NOT here to try and say lease companies are ripping people off at all, just doing some personal research.

Thank you for your information anyway.

alleycat`

I've had company cars for many years and they were all technically "leased".

Over the last decade the "inspections" have become more nit picky and the quality of maintenance has degraded.
It is one of the reasons i went cash for cars and bought last time around, on top of the fact the deals aren't as good as they used to be.

I have always taken care of the cars i've had but when someone is arguing the toss over a stone chip on the nose it's time to take my business elsewhere.

I've never been charged but i'm led to believe anything over "£100" is considered to be outside fair wear and tear.

albionrovers

I've handed back an Audi and BMW with no problems.
I've handed back a Honda with a clean bill of health by the inspector but got hit for £500 through the post. It was broken up into 4 areas of damage on the car.
I smelt a rat and argued that 3 of the 4 charges were not valid so the lease company withdrew them. I only complained about 3 because I was playing with them so see how the process worked. I was going to argue the 4th but my wife suggested I pay up to get rid. Happy with that becuase charge 4 did have slight damage from a previous insurance claim. So I ended up paying about £100 instead of £500.
So - the fact that they waivered 3 out of 4 charges begs the question - is it target/sales driven, hoping that folk will just cave in and pay up?

xoleeb

Just handed my 3 year old lease car back - not a penny in charges - though they did try to say I had only returned one key - but when they checked the return sheet the collection driver had filled in it clearly stated two - though even then to be fair she said as it was less than £150 they wouldn't charge anyway...

jaybeetoo

This is LeasPlan's fair wear and tear guide http://www.myleaseplan.co.uk/lpuk/im-a-fleet-manager/fair-wear-and-tear-guidelines-for-cars/download/3923/FWT-Cars-231112(1).pdf

Lifes_Grand_Plan

I have only ever leased once, a (Mercedes) Smart ForTwo and handed it back and no issues at all.

We just had it washed and cleaned before handback and as a precaution I took about 200 photos of every last part of the car to cover myself but handed it back and never heard from them again.

Similar to above, Smart supply a very good guide of what is and isn't acceptable wear and tear and I stuck to it so no issues.

JJ_Egan

Any i have dealt with either have a video inspection or the car is signed off by both parties with a condition report . Naturally that does not include engine damage etc .