Company car with damaged alloys: knowing who bears the costs avoids unpleasant surprises at the end of the lease.
An employee returns their company car after two years on a long-term lease. The leasing company flags four kerbed alloy wheels. The refurbishment bill comes to €320, deducted directly from the security deposit. A common scenario — and yet an entirely avoidable one. Between car policies, return condition clauses, and fleet insurance, day-to-day responsibilities are rarely clear to the driver.
What the car policy says about kerbed alloys
The car policy is the internal document that sets out the rules governing the use of a company vehicle. It generally specifies:
- the accepted fair wear and tear threshold (whether minor surface scratches are tolerated or not);
- incidents that must be reported, including wheel damage;
- the excess amounts applicable in the event of a recognised claim;
- any possible deductions from salary or expense claims at the end of the contract.
In the majority of car policies reviewed by fleet managers, an alloy wheel scratch exceeding 5 mm in depth is classified as damage attributable to the driver. As such, it may give rise to a deduction, even where fleet insurance covers declared accidents. Kerbing a wheel while parking is not a declared incident — it is negligence.
Who actually pays at the end of a long-term lease (LLD)?
The lessor (long-term leasing company) commissions a damage assessment at the point of return. The pricing schedules applied vary, but the figures typically observed are as follows:
| Type of wheel damage | Average cost charged |
|---|---|
| Light scratch (less than 3 mm) | €50 – €80 per wheel |
| Deep scratch with chipping | €120 – €180 per wheel |
| 18–19 inch alloy wheel replacement | €250 – €450 per wheel |
| 4-wheel refurbishment flat rate | 300 – 550 € |
These costs are borne by the driver, the company, or shared between them in accordance with the car policy in force. Under long-term lease contracts without a purchase option, the company frequently passes the bill on to the employee identified as responsible — a practice that is lawful provided it is stipulated in the vehicle provision contract.
Leasing alloy wheel protection is not an option offered as standard by leasing companies: it is up to the driver or the business to arrange it in advance.
Prevention rather than dispute: the financial case
A set of four AlloyGator alloy wheel protectors fitted at the point of vehicle handover costs approximately €99 for fitting at an approved approved network fitter, parts included. Fitting takes one hour. Spread over a 36-month long-term lease, that works out at less than €3 per month.
When faced with a refurbishment charge of €300 to €550, the calculation is straightforward. The argument is equally compelling for employers: incorporating AlloyGator fitting into the vehicle handover process reduces end-of-lease disputes and the administrative costs associated with independent damage assessments.
The most affected company vehicles are those fitted with 18-inch wheels and above — the dominant segment in the Audi, BMW, and DS Automobiles ranges, which are widely represented in French corporate fleets.
FAQ
Does the company's fleet insurance cover kerbed alloy wheels when parking?
No, in the vast majority of contracts. Fleet insurance covers declared incidents (collision, vandalism with a report). A kerb scrape with no identifiable third party is not a declared incident: it remains the responsibility of the driver or the company, depending on the car policy.
Can the company deduct the cost of damaged alloy wheels from my salary?
Yes, under strict conditions: the deduction must be provided for in the vehicle provision contract, capped at the actual cost of the damage, and may not exceed one tenth of the net monthly salary per instalment (French Labour Code, Article L. 3251-3). Any deduction not contractually stipulated is unlawful.
Can alloy wheel protectors be fitted to a long-term lease (LLD) vehicle without the leasing company's consent?
AlloyGator is a removable accessory that does not alter the structure of the wheel. It causes no damage to the vehicle and can be removed without leaving any trace. The majority of leasing companies have no objection to it, but it is advisable to check the "accessories and modifications" clause in your contract. If in doubt, a written request to the fleet manager is generally sufficient to obtain approval.
