What You Must Understand Before You Lease

What You Must Know About Excess Wear & Tear

By: Roosevelt Gist

The lessor or its agent will determine excess wear and tear (beyond normal usage) at the end of lease term. This is one area that causes more people not to lease again. If it were properly explained at lease signing then it would not be a problem at lease end. It will also cost you the most money at lease end when you return the vehicle. Ask questions and get it in writing. This is no place to be timid. 

When you return your car at the end of the lease it will be inspected for excess wear and tear. Now, the lessor determines what is excess wear and tear beyond normal use. There are allowances for door dings, tire tread depth, etc. If you treated your leased vehicle like it did not belong to you and cigarette burned the seats, backed into protection barriers or did not repair that little fender bender, you will pay under the excess wear and tear clause. Mismatched tires violate the excess wear and tear clause.