Located in Toronto's west end near The Stockyards, we have been providing affordable rates for self-pay repairs for over 30 years. We know exactly what dealerships will be looking for and can provide you with a repair strategy that will provide significant savings on your leased vehicle return.  

 

How to return a leased vehicle without paying too much? 

​Be strategic, plan in advance. Book a pre-inspection estimate with us 30-60 days before your return date.  This will allow enough time to source any cost-saving after-market parts, and schedule repairs in stages if that suits your schedule better and avoids the need for a rental car.    

 

What are common end-of-lease fees charged by leasing companies in Ontario?  

There are 4 main categories:

- administrative return fees

- excess mileage charges

- excess wear and tear

- missing items (keys, fobs, floor mats, owners manual, maintenance book)

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What auto body damage is considered 'excess wear and tear' on a leased vehicle in Ontario?  

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Dings,dents, and paint scratches:

The industry standard is 'the credit card test': any scratch, dent, or paint chip that cannot be completely covered by a credit card is considered excess wear and tear and chargeable.

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​However, damages aren't considered on an individual basis alone - while one small dent might be forgiven, several small dents appearing in multiple areas of the vehicle will usually be classed as excess wear and tear.

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Furthermore, depth matters! Scratches that reach metal, even if they are smaller than a credit card, are nearly always deemed excess wear and tear (due to the potential for future rust development).  

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Bumpers: 

Bumper scuffs will usually be considered normal wear & tear and forgiven if they are surface level and contained to a small area.

However, tears in the plastic, significant gouges, or signs of misalignment where the bumper pulls away from the fender will be considered 'excess wear'. 

Additionally, the bottom edges of the front bumper need to be checked for hidden damage and 'excess wear' that may have resulted from contact with  steep driveways, cement curbs, speed bumps, or parking barriers. 

 

​Windshields 

Any chip or crack in the windshield falling within the driver's 'critical viewing area' that is larger than a loonie will be considered excess damage. As will any smaller chips if they are deemed to compromise the glass's overall structural integrity.

 

Light covers

Deep scratches or cracks in plastic light coverings will also be considered excess damage. A cracked lighting unit can trap moisture and compromise its electronic integrity - which may necessitate replacing the entire light assembly in the future.  

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