Before
AfterYour lease is ending, and you're getting the car ready to go back. You've cleaned it, found the second key and dug out the manuals. Then you notice the rims. If they've got curb rash, it's worth dealing with before the inspection.
How lease inspections look at your wheels
At the end of a lease, the car is inspected for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Wheels are one of the things inspectors check, and scrapes, gouges and curb rash are among the most common things that get flagged.
Every leasing company has its own rules. Most publish a wear-and-tear guide that explains what's considered acceptable and what gets charged. Some allow small scuffs; others are stricter. If damage goes beyond what the guide allows, you can be billed for it, and depending on the lessor, that charge may be based on repairing or even replacing the wheel.
Check your wear-and-tear guide
Before you do anything, find your lease's wear-and-tear guide. It's usually in your lease paperwork or on the leasing company's website. Many leasing companies also offer a pre-inspection a few weeks or months before your turn-in date, so you know exactly what they'll flag while there's still time to fix it.
Why repairing first usually makes sense
- You control the cost. Rim repair is from $85 per rim. Text us a photo and you'll know the price before we start, instead of finding out from a bill after you've returned the car.
- It's quick. A single rim can take 45 minutes to an hour, and a full set an hour and a half to 2 hours.
- We come to you. We repair the rims at your home or workplace, so you don't have to give up the car for a day in the middle of getting it ready.
- The finish matches. We colour-match your original finish and seal it with clear coat, so the repaired rim looks like the rest of the set.
Timing tips
- Don't leave it to the last day. Book a repair at least a few days before your inspection or turn-in, in case of bad weather; paint needs the right conditions to dry.
- Do it after the pre-inspection, if you have one. That way you're only fixing what will actually be flagged.
- Keep your original wheels on the car. Most leases expect the car to be returned with its original equipment, so factory wheels in good condition are what you want.
Not just for leases
The same logic applies if you're selling or trading in. Clean rims make a car look cared for, and scuffed ones are one of the first things a buyer or appraiser notices. (More on why in Repair, don't replace.)
Getting your lease ready to return? Text a photo of your rims to 416-800-1757 and we'll provide you with a quote. We come to you anywhere from Niagara to Barrie.