Fair Wear and Tear: What's Covered on a Leased Van

Leased vans are inspected against the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) fair wear and tear standard when they're handed back. It's an industry-agreed benchmark, not something each finance company invents on the spot, so the same rules apply regardless of who your agreement is with.

Generally acceptable

• Small stone chips on the bonnet and front bumper
• Light scuffs and scratches under 25mm that haven't gone through to primer or metal
• Faded or slightly worn interior trim consistent with the van's age and mileage
• Small dents under 15mm that don't require filler to repair
• Worn tyres, as long as they meet the legal tread depth of 1.6mm

Generally chargeable

• Dents larger than 15mm, or any that need filler
• Scratches through to bare metal or primer
• Cracked or chipped windscreen glass within the driver's line of sight
• Missing or damaged equipment - spare wheel, locking wheel nut, load liner, charging cables
• Heavy interior staining, cigarette burns, or torn upholstery
• Unrepaired bodywork damage from an accident, even if it doesn't look severe

The practical takeaway

Most of what gets charged at the end of a van lease is avoidable with basic upkeep during the contract - fixing small dents and scratches as they happen rather than letting them accumulate, and keeping the load area protected if you're carrying tools or equipment. A pre-return inspection a few weeks before collection gives you time to sort anything genuinely chargeable before the finance company sees it.