If you are coming to the end of a lease agreement, the state of your wheels could cost you more than you think. Leasing companies check every car closely before they take it back, and kerbed or scuffed alloys are one of the most common reasons drivers get charged. The good news is that sorting your wheels out before the inspection is usually far cheaper than paying the lease company’s own repair bill.
This guide explains what counts as fair wear and tear on alloys, what does not, and why getting alloy wheel repairs done before handback is one of the easiest ways to save money at the end of your contract.
Why Your Wheels Get Checked So Closely
When you return a leased car, an inspector goes over it panel by panel. Wheels get special attention because kerb damage is so common and so easy to spot. Even small scuffs can be marked down as chargeable damage if they go beyond what the leasing company classes as normal wear.
Company car drivers and personal lease customers are both affected by this. Whether the car belongs to your employer or to you personally, the same rules usually apply when the vehicle goes back.
Fair Wear and Tear vs Chargeable Damage
Leasing companies follow industry guidelines to decide what is acceptable and what is not. As a rough guide, here is how alloy wheel damage is usually judged:
| Type of Damage | Usually Fair Wear and Tear | Usually Chargeable |
|---|---|---|
| Light surface scuffing from parking | Yes | No |
| Small scratches under 25mm | Yes | No |
| Kerb damage with a visible dent or gouge | No | Yes |
| Cracked or split alloy | No | Yes |
| Corrosion or flaking lacquer | No | Yes |
| A buckled or warped wheel | No | Yes |
If you are not sure where your wheels fall, MoneyHelper’s guide to leasing a car with Personal Contract Hire explains how fair wear and tear is assessed and what drivers are usually responsible for at the end of a contract.
Common Lease Damage We See
Most of the damage we repair on lease return jobs comes down to a handful of everyday causes. Kerbing while parking is by far the biggest one, followed by potholes and tight multi-storey car parks. If a wheel has taken a harder knock, it may need a buckled wheel repair rather than a simple cosmetic fix, especially if you have noticed a vibration through the steering wheel at speed.
It is worth checking your wheels properly, not just glancing at them. Get down at wheel height in good light and look right around the rim, including the inner edge that faces the kerb. This is where most damage hides.
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Why Fixing It Yourself Usually Costs Less
Leasing companies do not repair wheels themselves. They send the car to a third party and then pass the bill on to you, often with a mark-up added. Getting the work done independently, before the car goes back, almost always works out cheaper.
It also means you control the standard of the repair. A diamond cut or powder coated finish done properly will match the wheel exactly, so there is nothing left for an inspector to flag.
You can view our prices to see how repair costs compare with typical lease company recharges, which are often two or three times higher for the same job.
When to Get Your Wheels Checked
The best time to sort out any damage is around six to eight weeks before your car is due back. This gives enough time to book a repair, and enough time for the workshop to source the right paint code if a colour match is needed.
Leaving it until the last minute is risky. If a repair cannot be booked in before your return date, you will have no choice but to accept the leasing company’s charge.
Get Your Wheels Sorted Before Handback
A scuffed or kerbed alloy does not need to become an expensive end of lease charge. With a proper repair beforehand, most wheels can be brought back to a like new finish, ready to pass inspection without any surprises on your final bill.
If your lease return date is approaching, get in touch with our team to book a repair at one of our workshops in Romford, Dartford, or Hemel Hempstead.
