Returning a lease car can feel a little stressful, especially if the vehicle has picked up scratches, dents, bumper scuffs or everyday wear during your agreement. Lease companies will usually inspect the car carefully, and damage beyond fair wear and tear may lead to extra charges.
The good news is that many common lease return issues can be checked and repaired before the vehicle goes back. At Spraywise in Golborne, we help drivers prepare their cars for lease return by repairing cosmetic damage such as bumper scuffs, paintwork scratches, dents, stone chips and minor panel damage.
If your lease car is due to be returned soon, this checklist will help you work through the main areas to inspect before handover.
Before arranging any repairs, it is worth checking the fair wear and tear guide provided by your lease company. This should explain what they consider acceptable for the age and mileage of the vehicle, and what may be classed as damage.
Different lease companies may have slightly different standards, so do not assume every mark will be treated the same way. Look closely at the guidance for paintwork, bumpers, dents, alloy wheels, tyres, interior trim and missing accessories.
Once you know what the lease company is likely to check, you can inspect the vehicle more confidently and decide whether any repairs are needed before return.
A quick look around the car on a dull evening is not usually enough. Wash the vehicle first, then inspect it in good natural light so scratches, scuffs, dents and paint defects are easier to see.
Walk around the car slowly and check each panel from different angles. Light reflections can reveal dents and marks that are not obvious straight away. Pay particular attention to the bumpers, doors, wings, wheel arches and rear quarter panels, as these areas often pick up damage during normal use.
Bumper damage is one of the most common lease return issues. Front and rear bumpers are easily marked during parking, low speed manoeuvres and car park use.
Look for bumper scuffs, scrapes, cracks, paint transfer, scratches and areas where the paint has been broken. Even small bumper marks can stand out once the car has been cleaned and inspected.
At Spraywise, we regularly repair bumper scuffs and scratches for lease vehicles. In many cases, this can be a practical and cost effective way to improve the vehicle before it goes back.
Dents and door dings are another common problem on lease cars. These often happen in supermarket car parks, workplace car parks, tight residential streets and driveways.
Check the doors, wings, rear quarters and wheel arches carefully. Small dents can be easy to miss until the light catches them, so look along the side of the vehicle rather than only looking straight at each panel.
If the dent has also damaged the paint, it may need more than simple reshaping. Spraywise can assess the damage and advise on the most suitable repair option.
Paintwork scratches can happen easily during everyday driving. Keys, hedges, shopping bags, grit, road debris and poor washing techniques can all leave marks on the paintwork.
When checking your lease car, look for scratches on doors, bumpers, mirror covers, boot edges, bonnet edges and around door handles. Some lighter marks may polish out, while deeper scratches may need preparation, colour matching and refinishing.
Spraywise repairs paintwork scratches, scuffs and minor cosmetic damage using professional colour matching techniques to help restore a clean finish.
Stone chips are common on bonnets, front bumpers and leading edges of vehicles. A few small marks may be considered normal depending on the age and mileage of the car, but excessive chips or damaged paint may be picked up during inspection.
Check the front of the vehicle carefully, especially if you do a lot of motorway driving. If you are unsure whether the damage is likely to be an issue, it is worth getting advice before the return date.
Alloy wheels are another area lease companies often check closely. Kerb damage, deep scuffs, corrosion, missing centre caps and cracked trims may all lead to charges.
Check every wheel, not just the side that is easiest to see. Move the car slightly if needed so you can inspect the full circumference of each wheel.
You should also check the tyres for tread depth, uneven wear, sidewall damage, cracks or bulges. The UK legal minimum tread depth for car tyres is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre and around its full circumference, but your lease agreement may include its own return requirements.
Lease inspections may also include headlights, rear lights, indicators, mirrors, windows and the windscreen. Check that light lenses are not cracked, mirrors are secure and glass is free from significant chips or cracks.
Minor scratches around mirror covers and door handles are also worth noting, as these areas often pick up everyday marks.
The inside of the car matters too. Before return, remove all personal items and give the interior a proper clean.
Check the seats, carpets, mats, dashboard, door cards, boot area and headlining. Look for stains, burns, tears, heavy wear, broken trims and missing items.
A clean interior gives a better impression and also makes it easier to spot any issues before the vehicle is inspected.
Missing items can be expensive to replace through a lease company, so make sure everything supplied with the car is ready to go back.
It is worth checking these early, rather than trying to find them on the day the car is collected.
Lease vehicles normally need to be serviced in line with the manufacturer schedule. Before return, check that servicing is up to date and that you have evidence of the work carried out.
You should also check for dashboard warning lights, fluid levels, MOT status if required and any obvious mechanical issues. Spraywise focuses on cosmetic body repairs, but it is still worth making sure the full vehicle is ready before handover.
Before handing back your lease car, take clear photos of the vehicle. Photograph all sides of the car, the wheels, the interior, the boot, the mileage and any areas of damage you are aware of.
These photos can be useful if there is any disagreement about the vehicle’s condition after collection.
If you have noticed scratches, dents, bumper scuffs or paintwork damage, it is usually better to get advice before the return date rather than waiting for the final inspection.
Spraywise can inspect the damage and advise whether a repair is practical. We regularly help customers with lease return repairs including bumper scuffs, paintwork scratches, dents, wing damage, rear quarter repairs, stone chips and minor cosmetic bodywork.
Many smaller repairs can be completed within a few hours, and most jobs are completed within a day where possible. This can help you return the vehicle looking cleaner, tidier and better prepared.
At Spraywise, we offer professional cosmetic car body repairs from our workshop in Golborne. We help customers from Wigan, Warrington, St Helens and surrounding areas prepare vehicles for lease return, sale or general tidy up work.
Our services include:
If your lease car is due to be returned and you have noticed scratches, scuffs, dents or paintwork damage, get in touch with Spraywise today. You can send photos of the damage or arrange to visit our workshop for advice.
We will always recommend the most practical and cost effective repair option for your vehicle.
All work undertaken at:
Unit 4, Clarence Street,
Golborne WA3 3RR
Contact Spraywise:
📞 07526 237398 / 01942 669585
📧 contact@spraywise.co.uk
💻 www.spraywise.co.uk
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Spraywise specialises in high quality cosmetic body repairs. lets make your vehicle shine! Spraywise specialises in high quality body repairs from scratches & dings to polishing.
Call us on 07526 237398 or 01942 669585
Email us at: contact @ spraywise.co.uk
