Lease car going back: repair damage beforehand?

[TorqueDirty]

Folks our lease truck is going back next month and it has a small(ish) ding at the rear. Tesco car park present. I replaced the rear light but the paint to broken, there is a 5cm dent below the tail light cluster and a bit of the bumper plastic is not current seating in it correct place - I think a locating tab has snapped.

Is it better to get the repair done before it goes back or just suck it up and accept that the lease company will stiff me when I return it?

My issue is that if I get it repaired they might spot the repair and nail me anyway, and then I'd be footing two repair bills.

The damage is not huge by any means but equally it is more than just a small ding - they aren't going to miss it that's for sure!

First lease car so not up on how draconian charges are for damage.

Thanks in advance.

[PHZero]

TorqueDirty said:

Folks our lease truck is going back next month and it has a small(ish) ding at the rear. Tesco car park present. I replaced the rear light but the paint to broken, there is a 5cm dent below the tail light cluster and a bit of the bumper plastic is not current seating in it correct place - I think a locating tab has snapped.

Is it better to get the repair done before it goes back or just suck it up and accept that the lease company will stiff me when I return it?

My issue is that if I get it repaired they might spot the repair and nail me anyway, and then I'd be footing two repair bills.

The damage is not huge by any means but equally it is more than just a small ding - they aren't going to miss it that's for sure!

First lease car so not up on how draconian charges are for damage.

Thanks in advance.

Charges vary by lease funder. I'd just hand it back and suck up any charges. As you say, if they're not happy with the repair then you'll get charged for it to be made right anyway. Not that they bother to make it right. Off to auction it'll go as is.

If you make sure that the rest of the vehicle is nice and clean inside and out, then this will likely help your cause on handback day.