Wear and Tear Guide

Understanding Wear and Tear

  • Normal Wear: Minor imperfections from regular use, such as small door dings, chips, or light scratches, are expected and typically do not incur charges.

  • Excess Wear: Significant damages like large dents, cracked glass, tears in upholstery, or substandard repairs exceed normal use and may result in additional fees.

Detailed Assessment Criteria

Mileage:

  • Allowance: Your lease agreement specifies a mileage limit.

  • Excess Mileage: Exceeding this limit results in a per-mile fee.

Tires:

  • Tread Depth: Must be at least 4/32”.

    • Self-Check Tip: Insert a penny upside-down into the tire tread. If the tread reaches Lincoln’s face, it meets the requirement.

  • Condition: Tires should be free from cuts, sidewall plugs, dry rot, or mismatched specifications.

Wheels:

  • Acceptable: Up to two scratches less than 3 inches.

  • Excessive: Scratches 3 inches or longer, bent or broken parts, missing or corroded wheel covers, or mismatched wheels.

Interior:

  • Stains: Deep or irremovable stains requiring replacement.

  • Tears/Burns: Cuts, rips, or burns on upholstery or carpet.

  • Odors: Persistent smells like smoke, mold, or pet odors.

  • Cleanliness: Excessive dirt, mud, or debris.

  • Equipment: Non-functional or missing interior components.

Exterior:

  • Scratches/Scuffs: Scratches breaking the paint and measuring 4 inches or more.

  • Dents/Dings:

    • Acceptable: Up to three per panel without paint damage, each under 2 inches.

    • Excessive: More than three per panel or any over 2 inches.

  • Chips: Eleven or more chips smaller than 1/8 inch.

  • Previous Repairs: Substandard repairs, mismatched paint, or parts not meeting manufacturer standards.

  • Rust/Corrosion: Any visible rust or corrosion.

Glass and Lenses:

  • Cracks/Chips:

    • Acceptable: Up to two chips, each 1/4 inch or smaller.

    • Excessive: Any chip, crack, or scratch over 1/4 inch, especially in the driver’s line of sight.

Mechanical/Electrical:

  • Functionality: All systems and equipment must be operational.

  • Maintenance: Adherence to manufacturer-recommended maintenance is required.

Missing/Broken Parts:

  • All original equipment, manuals, and accessories should be present and functional.

Aftermarket Items:

  • Unauthorized modifications or damages from installing/removing accessories may incur charges.

Avoiding Excess Charges

  • Insurance: Check if your policy covers certain damages to potentially reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Pre-Return Inspection: Consider a professional assessment before returning the vehicle to identify and address issues proactively.

  • Regular Maintenance: Adhere to scheduled maintenance and promptly address repairs to maintain vehicle condition.

Excess Wear and Tear List

This table outlines what constitutes Normal Wear and Tear (no charges) versus Excess Wear and Tear (potential charges).

Mileage

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Within the agreed-upon mileage limit.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Exceeding the mileage limit specified in your lease agreement (charged per mile).

Tires

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Tread depth of at least 4/32”. Uniform, matching tires.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Tread depth below 4/32”, mismatched tires, sidewall plugs, or significant damage (e.g., dry rot or cuts).

Wheels

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Up to 2 scratches, each less than 3 inches.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Scratches over 3 inches, bent or broken rims, missing or corroded wheel covers.

Interior

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Minor wear, such as light fabric fraying or surface scuffs.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Tears, rips, burns, deep stains requiring replacement, or persistent odors (e.g., smoke, mold).

Exterior

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Up to 3 dents/dings per panel, each under 2 inches, without paint damage.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Dents/dings over 2 inches, more than 3 per panel, or any scratches breaking the paint over 4 inches.

Glass/Lenses

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Up to 2 chips under 1/4 inch, no cracks in the driver’s line of sight.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Chips over 1/4 inch, cracks, or scratches affecting visibility.

Mechanical

  • Normal Wear and Tear: All systems in working order, no warning lights.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Warning lights on, malfunctioning systems, or missed scheduled maintenance.

Aftermarket Modifications

  • Normal Wear and Tear: Factory-original equipment intact and operational.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Unauthorized modifications, damages from installing/removing aftermarket accessories.

Missing Items

  • Normal Wear and Tear: All original manuals, keys, and accessories present.

  • Excess Wear and Tear: Missing keys, owner’s manual, spare tire, or other required equipment.

Note: This chart is not all-inclusive. You may be charged for items not represented on this page.

Questions?

Contact us via phone, text or email with any questions about this guide.