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FINANCE

Excess Wear & Tear Charges

Lease-end fees for damage beyond "normal" wear. Typical bill: $500-$3,500 depending on inspector findings. See [wear and tear](/glossary/wear-and-tear).

// Why it matters

Excess wear and tear charges are the lease-end bill for vehicle damage that exceeds the contract's "normal wear" definition. Common findings: dents over a credit-card size, scratches through the clearcoat, cracked windshields, curb-rashed wheels, interior stains, smoke odor, missing keys or floor mats, tire wear below the contract minimum (typically 4/32" tread). Inspector reports run $500-$3,500 in total charges, sometimes higher on luxury vehicles. Defenses: buy a wear-and-tear protection rider at lease signing for $400-$800 (cheaper than likely repair bills for families with kids or pets), repair obvious damage yourself before turn-in (a $300 windshield replacement is cheaper than a $700 lessor charge), and request an independent pre-turn-in inspection to dispute disputed items. See full breakdown at wear and tear.

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