Fair Wear and Tear

At Intelligent Fleet Management, we believe in transparency and clarity throughout your leasing journey. As your lease term approaches its end, we want to ensure that you have all the information you need regarding vehicle return procedures and expectations. To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free return process, we want you to familiarise yourself to the industry-standard BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear guidelines. You can request these from your funder, we recommend waiting until near the end of your lease to look at them.

Overview of Fair Wear and Tear Guidelines

The BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) Fair Wear and Tear Guide is a set of industry standards and guidelines used within the automotive leasing and rental sector in the United Kingdom.

It outlines what constitutes acceptable wear and tear on vehicles leased or rented from BVRLA members. It's important to distinguish between fair wear and tear, which is considered normal and acceptable, and damage, which may incur additional charges.

Key features of the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide typically include:

  1. Exterior Condition: This section addresses issues such as scratches, dents, chips, and paint damage, outlining acceptable levels of wear for different parts of the vehicle.

  2. Interior Condition: It covers wear and tear on the vehicle's interior, including upholstery, dashboard, and other components. Common issues considered include stains, tears, and excessive wear on surfaces.

  3. Mechanical Condition: This section focuses on the mechanical components of the vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. It specifies acceptable levels of wear and tear for these components based on mileage and usage.

  4. Documentation and Accessories: The guide may also address the condition of documentation such as manuals and service records, as well as the presence and condition of accessories like spare tires and keys.

  5. Fair Wear and Tear vs. Damage: It distinguishes between fair wear and tear, which is considered acceptable, and damage, which may incur additional charges for the lessee or renter.

The BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide is designed to provide a fair and consistent framework for assessing the condition of leased or rented vehicles, helping to minimise disputes between leasing companies and customers. It's important to be familiar with the guide's provisions. To ensure a smooth and transparent end-of-lease or rental process, please request these specific guidelines from your funder.

All funders will provide you with car or van specific guidelines as part of the lease process, depending on what type of vehicle you are leasing. We always recommend when looking at whether something is classed as fair wear and tear for your van that you check you're looking at the correct information and not the guidelines for cars.