What Happens at the End of Your Van Lease Contract

A few weeks before your contract hire agreement ends, the finance company will be in touch to arrange collection. Here's what actually happens, and how to avoid being caught out by charges at the last minute.

The inspection

The van is inspected against the BVRLA fair wear and tear standard - the industry-agreed benchmark for what counts as reasonable use versus damage. Small stone chips, light scuffs on bumpers, and general road grime are expected and won't cost you anything. Dents, cracked glass, missing equipment, and heavy interior wear will be charged for.

Mileage

If you've gone over the annual mileage allowance agreed at the start of the contract, you'll be charged an excess mileage fee, usually quoted per mile over. It's worth checking your actual mileage against the allowance a few months before the end date - if you're going to be over, it's often cheaper to pay to extend the allowance in advance than to pay the excess rate at collection.

How to prepare

• Have the van professionally valeted before collection - it's cheaper than being charged for condition
• Make sure the spare wheel, locking wheel nut, charging cables (for EVs), and any other supplied equipment are present
• Get any minor bodywork repaired beforehand rather than let it be charged at the finance company's rate, which is typically higher than an independent repairer
• Check your mileage well ahead of the end date, not on collection day

See our fair wear and tear guide for the specific standard used to assess condition.