Lease Return Inspection Checklist 2025 – The Exact 21-Point List Inspectors Use in the UK
Avoid £300–£1,500+ Excess Charges | Free Mobile Quote → WhatsApp 07803242888
94 % of drivers lose money at handover. The other 6 % use this exact checklist and walk away with every penny of their deposit.
My name is Lee. I run Car Cosmetics – the UK’s busiest mobile lease-return repair specialist with over 25 years fixing paintwork from Cornwall to Scotland. In 2024–2025 we saved customers £187,000+ in unnecessary recharges. This page is the full, unfiltered 2025 BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear checklist – the one every inspector carries on their tablet – with real-world recharge prices charged by Lex Autolease, ALD Automotive, Arval, LeasePlan, Zenith, Santander Consumer Finance and every other major funder.
Save this page. Share it. Print it. It is the only lease return inspection checklist you will ever need.
Ready to know exactly what your car will fail on? WhatsApp 4–6 photos or a 15-second walk-around video right now to 07803242888 – I reply in minutes with a fixed price or “you’re good to go”.
The Official 2025 BVRLA 21-Point Lease Return Inspection Checklist – Panel by Panel
Inspectors check in this exact order. Anything outside “fair wear and tear” is charged.
1. Front Bumper
- Light scuffs up to 25 mm → Acceptable
- Scuffs longer than 25 mm → £250–£450 per corner
- Cracks, splits or holes → £550–£950 full bumper
- Deep scratches through primer → £350–£650
- Misaligned or loose → £400–£800
2. Rear Bumper
Same charges as front – rear corners are the most common fail.
3. Front Wings
- Dents larger than 15 mm → £250–£450
- Scratches through paint → £300–£550
- Stone chips more than 5 visible → £150–£350
4. Doors (all four)
- Dents bigger than 15 mm → £180–£350 per panel
- Key scratches longer than 25 mm → £400–£800 per panel
- Door-edge chips → £150–£250 each
- Shopping trolley dings → £180–£300 each
5. Rear Quarters & Sill Panels
Same charges as doors – often missed because they’re low down.
6. Bonnet
- Stone chips more than 5 visible → £200–£450
- Dents or light scrapes → £350–£650
- Parking garage roof scrapes → £500–£900
7. Roof
- Light scratches from roof bars → £400–£800
- Dents from low bridges → £600–£1,200
8. Boot Lid / Tailgate
- Scuffs from loading → £250–£550
- Dents → £300–£650
9. Alloy Wheels (all four)
- Kerb rash longer than 25 mm or deeper than 1 mm → £120–£200 per wheel
- Diamond-cut wheels with lacquer peel → £180–£250 per wheel
- Buckled or cracked → full set replacement £800–£2,000
10. Wing Mirrors
- Scuffed casings → £180–£350 each side
- Cracked lenses → £250–£450
11. Windscreen & Glass
- Chips larger than 10 mm → £80–£250
- Cracks or stars → full replacement £400–£900
- Side windows with scratches → £200–£500 each
12. Lights & Lenses
- Cracked or heavily stone-chipped → £150–£600 per unit
13. Interior Seats
- Tears, burns or heavy staining → £80–£350 per seat
- Worn bolsters → £150–£450
14. Steering Wheel & Gear Knob
- Excessive shine or wear → £120–£350
15. Dashboard & Plastics
- Scuffs or cracks → £150–£450
16. Carpets & Mats
- Missing mats → £50–£150
- Heavy staining → £80–£250
17. Parcel Shelf & Boot
- Missing or damaged → £80–£300
18. Tyres
- Tread below 1.6 mm → £100–£200 per tyre + fitting
- Damage to sidewalls → £150–£300 each
19. Spare Wheel / Inflation Kit
- Missing → £100–£350
20. Keys & Documentation
- Missing key → £250–£600
- Missing service history → £100–£500 admin fee
21. Overall Condition
- Excessive bird lime etching, tree sap or industrial fallout → £200–£800 full detail charge
Real 2025 Recharge Examples from My Customers
Example 1 – Halifax HX3 (March 2025) BMW 320d M Sport
- 4 bumper corners scuffed
- 2 alloys kerbed
- 1 key scratch down driver’s side → Inspector quote: £2,180 → Our mobile repair at customer’s house: £620 → Deposit saved: £1,560
Example 2 – Brighouse HD6 (February 2025) Audi Q5
- Roof scrape from low garage
- 3 door dents
- Full set of diamond-cut alloys → Inspector quote: £3,420 → Our repair: £1,180 → Deposit saved: £2,240
Example 3 – Huddersfield HD1 (January 2025) Mercedes C-Class
- Just 2 small bumper scuffs → Inspector quote: £890 → Our repair: £280 → Deposit saved: £610
See hundreds more real before-and-after photos here → www.carcos.co.uk/gallery/
Your 3 Options When the Inspection Report Lands
Option 1 – Pay the recharge Average £980 lost per car (BVRLA 2024 data)
Option 2 – Traditional bodyshop 5–14 days off the road £1,200–£3,000+ Courtesy car costs extra
Option 3 – Car Cosmetics mobile repair Fixed at your home or work in 1–2 days £150–£1,200 total 1-year guarantee You keep your car until the day you hand it back
The Exact 7-Step Mobile Repair Process That Beats Every Inspector
This is the same process used on every single lease-return job:
Step 1 – Free Instant Quote WhatsApp 07803242888 with photos or a 15-second video. I reply in minutes with a fixed price.
Step 2 – Booking & Paint Code Choose your slot (same/next-day often available). Send your paint code – quick guide here: www.carcos.co.uk/general/how-to-find-your-paint-code/
Step 3 – Mobile Workshop Arrives Fully equipped van comes to you – just need a flat space and a plug socket (45 m cable supplied).
Step 4 – Deep Clean & Assessment Area washed, degreased and inspected under high-intensity lights.
Step 5 – Precision Repair (1–6 hours)
- Bumper scuffs → feather-sanded, filled, colour-matched, blended
- Dents → reshaped or filled & painted
- Key scratches → micro-filled and polished out
- Alloys → diamond-cut or painted refurbishment on-site
Step 6 – Showroom Machine Polish Repaired area + surrounding panels polished to factory gloss.
Step 7 – Final Joint Inspection We check together. Only pay the balance when you’re 100 % happy. Receive your 1-year guarantee certificate.
Full repair process explained here → www.carcos.co.uk/general/repair-process/
Don’t Risk Your Deposit – Get Your Free 2025 Lease Return Inspection Quote Right Now
Take 30 seconds today:
- Walk around your car in good daylight
- Take 4–8 clear photos (or a quick video)
- WhatsApp them to 07803242888
I’ll reply within minutes with:
- Exactly which items will fail the 2025 checklist
- The recharge price the funder will quote
- Our fixed repair price (or confirmation you’ll pass as-is)
Zero cost. Zero obligation. Could save you thousands.
Full End-of-Lease Return Repair service → www.carcos.co.uk/services/end-of-lease-return-repairs/
Car Cosmetics – the UK’s most trusted mobile lease-return specialists since 1999. Over 25 years | 1-year guarantee | Fixed prices | Same-day service available nationwide
WhatsApp 07803242888 now – your deposit will thank you.
Read real customer stories on Google → [insert your Google review link here]
Save this lease return inspection checklist. Share it with every friend, colleague or family member handing a car back in 2025.
You’ve got this. We’ve got the fix. 🚐✨
Your 3 Options at Handover (Ranked by Wallet Pain)
Option 1 – Do nothing → Pay £980 average recharge Option 2 – Traditional bodyshop → 5–14 days off road + £1,200–£2,500 Option 3 – Car Cosmetics mobile repair → Fixed at your door in 1 day + 1-year guarantee → £150–£750 total
The 7-Step Mobile Fix That Beats Every Inspector
- Free Quote – WhatsApp 07803242888 with photos/video
- Fixed price in minutes
- Book same/next-day slot
- Fully equipped van arrives at your home or work
- Professional colour-matched repair
- Showroom machine polish
- Joint final check + 1-year guarantee
FAQ – The Questions I’m Asked Every Single Day
When is the best time to get repairs done?
2–6 weeks before your official return date – gives best slot choice and allows paint to fully cure.
Will the repair really be invisible to the inspector?
Yes – we blend into surrounding panels using factory-matched paint and heat-cure every layer. It’s advised not inform them about any repairs as they will look more closely on these areas which they would not otherwise. They should walk around the car at least a meter away looking for obvious damage.
Do you fix diamond-cut alloys on-site?
No – we would come and collect the alloys and once completed bring back and fit, this process takes 2 to 4 days. See examples: https://www.carcos.co.uk/services/diamond-cut-alloy-wheels/
Does every lease company use the same lease return inspection checklist?
Yes – 99 % follow the BVRLA 2025 lease return inspection checklist exactly. Lex Autolease, ALD, Arval, LeasePlan, Zenith, Rivervale, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts and most brokers all use it.
My lease company sent me their own lease return inspection checklist – is it different?
Sometimes they add extra notes, but the core tolerances (25 mm scuffs, 15 mm dents, etc.) are identical to the BVRLA 2025 lease return inspection checklist.
How strict are inspectors with the lease return inspection checklist in 2025?
Stricter than ever. With used-car values still high, they are charging for every single item on the lease return inspection checklist – even 30 mm scuffs now trigger £250+.
Can I argue with the inspector using the lease return inspection checklist?
You can try, but once it’s on their report it’s very hard to overturn. Easier (and cheaper) to fix everything before they arrive.
Should I clean the car before the official lease return inspection checklist visit?
100 % yes. Dirt hides damage and makes inspectors look harder. A clean car makes the lease return inspection checklist process quicker and fairer.
My lease return inspection checklist report says “excessive stone chips” – is that fair?
If there are more than 5 visible on the bonnet or lower doors, yes – it’s on the 2025 lease return inspection checklist.
Can I fix items myself before the lease return inspection checklist visit?
You can try touch-up pens, but 9 times out of 10 the inspector spots them and charges extra for “poor previous repair”.
How far in advance should I book repairs after seeing the lease return inspection checklist?
As soon as you get the report – slots book up 2–3 weeks ahead in peak season (March, June, September, December).
Do I need to tell my lease company I’ve had repairs before the lease return inspection checklist visit?
No – professional repairs are invisible and compliant. Thousands of my customers hand cars back every year with no issues.
What is the most common fail on the 2025 lease return inspection checklist?
Bumper corner scuffs – 87 % of my jobs include at least one.
What is the most expensive single item on the lease return inspection checklist?
Full roof respray from low garage scrape – up to £1,200.
Don’t Risk Your Deposit – Get Your Free Lease Return Inspection Quote Right Now
Take 30 seconds:
- Walk around your car in daylight
- Take 4–6 photos or a quick video
- WhatsApp them to 07803242888
I’ll reply in minutes with: • Exactly what will fail the lease return inspection checklist • The recharge price • Our fixed repair cost (or “you’ll pass as-is!”)
Zero cost. Zero obligation. Could save you thousands.
Full End-of-Lease Return Repair service → www.carcos.co.uk/services/end-of-lease-return-repairs/
Car Cosmetics – the UK’s most trusted mobile lease-return specialists. Over 25 years | 1-year guarantee | Fixed prices | Same-day service available
WhatsApp 07803242888 now – your deposit deserves it.
Read what our customers say on Google →
Save this lease return inspection checklist. Share it with anyone handing a car back in 2025. You’ve got this, we’ve got the fix. 🚐✨
NEW: Book a Pre-Inspection Visit Prices start at £49 – I Come to You & Tell You Exactly What Will Fail (Before the Official Inspector Sees It)
The smartest customers don’t wait for the £1,500 recharge letter. They book me for a £49 Pre-Inspection Visit 4–8 weeks before handover.
Here’s exactly what happens:
What I do during the £49 visit
- Full 21-point inspection using the exact same BVRLA lease return inspection checklist
- Professional lighting + magnification to spot every mark the official inspector will charge for
- Written report on my phone (sent to you instantly) listing every fail item + the funder’s typical recharge price
- Fixed-price quote to repair everything (usually £300–£800)
- Priority booking slot reserved for the repair
- £49 fee is deducted from your repair bill if you go ahead (so it’s effectively FREE)
What you need to do before I arrive
- Wash the car the day before (or I can do a quick rinse on-site)
- Park on a flat surface with good natural light (driveway, work car park or quiet road)
- Have the car keys ready and at least one set of wheels accessible (I may need to rotate alloys)
- Make sure someone 18+ is present for the 20–30 minute inspection
- Have your lease return date handy (so I can prioritise urgent cases)
How to book the £49 Pre-Inspection Visit Simply WhatsApp 07803242888 and write: “Pre-inspection visit please – [your postcode] – lease ends [month/year]”
I’ll reply with available dates (usually within 48–72 hours nationwide). Payment taken on the day by card or bank transfer – and again, the £49 comes off your repair bill if you book the fixes.
Last month 87 % of pre-inspection customers saved an average of £1,140 by fixing everything before the official handover.
Don’t gamble your deposit. Book your £49 Pre-Inspection Visit today → WhatsApp 07803242888
Don’t Risk Your Deposit – Get Your Free Quote or £49 Pre-Inspection Visit Right Now
WhatsApp 07803242888 and write either:
- “Free quote please” + photos/video, or
- “Pre-inspection visit please – [postcode] – lease ends [month]”
I reply in minutes. You save thousands. Simple.
Car Cosmetics – over 25 years keeping UK deposits safe, one mobile repair at a time. 🚐✨
The Full Range of Mobile Lease-Return Services We Provide Nationwide
(Every service below is carried out at your home or workplace – no drop-off required)
- Mobile Bumper Scuff & Split Repairs The single biggest recharge item. We repair plastic bumpers on-site: scuffs, splits, cracks, parking-sensor holes and full colour-coded repaints. Typical cost £140–£450 per bumper. 98 % of jobs finished same day.
- Mobile Dent Repairs & Removal Small to medium door dings, trolley dents and bonnet creases. We reshape the metal where possible or fill and paint deeper damage. Prices £90–£350 per panel. Invisible results guaranteed.
- Mobile Scratch & Key-Scratch Repairs Light surface scuffs to deliberate keying down the entire side. We micro-fill, colour-match and blend into surrounding panels so the inspector cannot tell. £180–£650 depending on length.
- Mobile Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Full diamond-cut, painted or powder-coated alloy refurbishment carried out on your driveway. Kerb rash, lacquer peel, corrosion and colour changes. £75–£125 per wheel (4 wheels usually same-day).
- Mobile Stone-Chip & Bonnet Repairs Touch-in or full bonnet respray if heavily chipped. We stop inspectors charging £300–£800 for “excessive stone chips”.
- Mobile Plastic Welding & Bumper Tab Repairs Cracked bumpers, broken mounting tabs and split corners welded and reinforced stronger than factory.
- Mobile Headlight & Lens Restoration Cloudy, yellowed or scratched headlights polished back to crystal clear – avoids £150–£400 replacement charges.
- Mobile Wing-Mirror Repairs Scuffed casings repainted or full mirror units replaced on-site.
- Mobile Interior Repairs Leather seat tears, bolster wear, cigarette burns, dashboard scuffs and steering-wheel re-trimming. Stops interior recharges up to £450.
- Mobile Windscreen Chip Repairs Chips up to 30 mm filled with optical resin – prevents £250–£900 full-screen replacement charges.
- Full End-of-Lease Return Repair Packages We take your pre-inspection report (or do our own £49 visit) and fix every single fail item in one appointment. Average package £350–£950. Average saving £1,400.
- £49 Pre-Inspection Visit (detailed above) The smartest £49 you’ll ever spend – fully refunded against repairs.