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BVRLA Wear & Tear Standards

Clear guidance to prepare your vehicle and avoid unexpected charges.

When your lease comes to an end, your vehicle will be assessed against the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association’s (BVRLA) Fair Wear & Tear Standards.

These guidelines explain what’s considered normal use — and what may result in end-of-contract charges. Knowing the standards helps you return your vehicle with confidence.

What is fair Wear & Tear?

Fair wear and tear is the natural ageing of a vehicle through everyday driving. Examples include light surface scuffs or small stone chips.

It does not cover damage caused by neglect, accidents, or missing equipment — such as cracked windscreens, large dents, or lost keys. These may lead to repair charges.

By following the BVRLA standard, both drivers and leasing companies use the same clear benchmark.

Why it matters

The BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidelines exist to make vehicle returns fair for everyone.

For drivers, it means:

  • Clarity on usage

    Confidence in what’s considered normal use.

  • Inspection transparency

    Transparency when your vehicle is inspected.

  • Cost protection

    A lower risk of surprise costs at the end of your lease.

Download the guides

The BVRLA produces tailored guides for different vehicle types. We’ve made the relevant ones available here for you to download:

  • Car Guide – covering standards for bodywork, paint, tyres, glass, lights, interior, and controls.
  • LCV Guide (Light Commercial Vehicles) – covering all of the above, plus specific standards for load areas, panels, and specialist equipment.

Preparing for your vehicle return

To get your vehicle ready, start a self-check about 10–12 weeks before return:

  • Wash and dry the vehicle so damage is visible.
  • Check for scratches, chips, or worn tyres.
  • Fix minor issues early — repairs are usually cheaper before inspection.
  • Make sure you have all keys, service books, accessories, and (for EVs/hybrids) charging cables.

Updates to the LCV guide

The latest LCV Fair Wear & Tear standards include:

  • All keys must be present and working.
  • Electric and hybrid vans must be returned with undamaged charging cables.
  • Body panels should not show cracks or altered shapes.
  • Wraps, graphics, or emblems may need to be removed before return.
  • Clearer examples of tyre wear to help drivers judge acceptability.

These updates provide more clarity and reduce the risk of disputes.

Extra support

For more detail, you can explore the official BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidance. If you have any questions about preparing your car or van for return, please contact KINTO Customer Support. Our team can guide you through what’s required and help you make sure everything is in order.