Lease-Return Body Inspection in Montréal: Avoid Surprises
Returning a leased car can be stressful if you have dents, scuffed bumpers or scratched paint. The key is to separate ordinary wear from damage that your leasing company might charge for, then compare the cost of a repair with the likely return charge.
Read your leasing company’s wear guidelines
There is no single standard that applies to all vehicle leases. What one lessor calls reasonable wear another may charge for, and standards can differ for paint chips, wheels, glass and dents. Check your contract and any published vehicle-return guide.
Walk around the car in daylight
- Inspect doors, fenders and quarter panels for dents or sharp creases.
- Look closely at bumper corners and lower edges for scuffs or cracks.
- Check for deep scratches, mismatched colours and peeling clearcoat.
- Review wheels and trim for impact damage.
- Photograph each concern clearly from several angles.
Schedule the pre-return inspection
If your lessor offers a pre-return inspection, arrange it early enough to understand the potential charges. Keep copies of the inspection results and communicate with the lessor about any proposed repairs.
Will repair save money?
Suppose your lessor identifies several cosmetic items. Obtain the written potential charges and a body-shop assessment. The economically sensible choice may be repairing one item and accepting a charge for another. Factor in taxes, scheduling, paint-curing time and the possibility of an additional inspection.
Not every dent needs the same approach
A shallow dent with intact factory paint may be suitable for paintless dent repair, depending on access and location. A cracked bumper or a deep crease with broken paint usually needs different treatment. Ask the shop to explain why it recommends a particular method.
Don’t assume repairs will be accepted
Confirm with your leasing company whether the work and required documentation meet its standards. A body shop cannot guarantee that every repair eliminates a lease-return charge.
Convenient for Montréal and the West Island
24K Auto Québec Inc. in Dorval can discuss dents, paint and bumper damage before lease return.
24K Auto Québec Inc. — 781 Avenue Halpern, Dorval, Québec H9P 1G5. For body-repair questions, call 514-422-9481 or email . Photos can help start the discussion, but a complete estimate may require an in-person inspection.
