Lease Return Checklist

Prepare for Inspection

When you return your lease to the dealership, one of the first things we do is inspect the car for any damage. Therefore, it’s a great idea to be fully prepared to avoid any charges for anything other than normal wear and tear.

You can take your car to our service center for a multi-point inspection, where every interior, exterior, and engine component will be looked over. The technicians will let you know if any service is needed or if they notice any damage. From there, you can schedule the necessary repairs.

You’ll also want to look at your odometer. Outlined in your lease agreement is the annual mileage restrictions you agreed to. You’ll want to double-check that you did not exceed this mileage in order to not accrue an additional fee.

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Detail the Vehicle

Before bringing your lease back to our dealership, you’ll want to consider getting the car detailed. A proper detailing will help you not accrue any additional fees for excessive wear and tear. Some of the components you’ll want to have cleaned include:

• Exterior: If there are any chips or scratches in the paint, you’ll want to have those filled in with new paint that matches the specific color of your car’s exterior.
• Interior: Vacuum out the inside and wipe down all services. If there are any stains in the upholstery, be sure to have them deep cleaned and patch up any tears.
• Glass: Inspect the windshield and all your windows to see if there are any cracks or chips. These can easily be repaired with a filler treatment to ensure they don’t splinter or break further.
• Tires: Check the tire pressure of every single tire so that they’re properly inflated. You’ll also want to double-check the tire tread and replace the tires if they’re too worn down.

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Be Prepared for Charges

During the inspection or detailing, you may become aware of a few issues that you don’t or can’t fix right away. In those cases, you’ll want to be prepared for the additional charge you may accrue.

For example, if you needed to drive your car more than the annual mileage, then you may be subjected to a mileage overage. By checking the odometer ahead of time, you can prepare the necessary payment for this overage.

Some other charges you can incur include excessive wear and late charges from not returning the vehicle on time. There is also usually a disposition fee, which should be outlined in your lease agreement. If you have any questions about any additional charges, you can call one of our team members today to learn more.

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Gather the Documents

The last step before heading to the dealership to return your lease is to gather all the necessary documents. To be completely prepared to give your car back, you’ll want to have a copy of the lease contract on hand as well as the owner’s manual and the maintenance guide, which are given with the initial lease of the ride.

In addition to this paperwork, you’ll have to return all the accessories provided with the vehicle. This can include the key fobs, cargo covers, and any DVD player headphones. Ask a member of our team if you’re unsure what exactly should be returned with your specific vehicle.