End-of-lease vehicle inspection: every scratch on an alloy wheel can cost between €80 and €250 in deductions — here's how to avoid them.
Returning a vehicle at the end of a long-term lease (LLD or LOA) often throws up unwelcome surprises in one specific area: the alloy wheels. Easy to overlook in day-to-day driving, they are scrutinised centimetre by centimetre during the inspection. The leasing company or its appointed assessor applies a fixed pricing schedule: a scratch on the edge of an 18-inch alloy wheel can result in a deduction of €80 to €150 per wheel, while a deformation or deep impact can cost up to €250 — sometimes more on the 19–21-inch fitments that are increasingly common. This guide covers what inspectors actually check, how to prepare for the appointment, and what you can do today to protect your leased alloy wheels.
What the assessor checks during an end-of-lease vehicle inspection
The alloy wheel and tyre inspection follows a standardised protocol, regardless of the leasing company. The following points are systematically checked:
- Wheel rim edge (outer face): any scratch exceeding 2 mm in depth or affecting the painted surface over more than 3 cm is classified as a chargeable defect.
- Buckle and deformation: the alloy wheel is inspected visually and sometimes with a gauge; a kerb impact creating a flat spot is systematically recorded.
- Tyre tread depth: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but many contracts require 2 mm at the point of return; below this threshold, the tyre is charged as a replacement.
- Asymmetric wear: a sign of unreported wheel misalignment, this can result in a corrective flat-rate charge.
- Wheel caps and wheel nuts: missing covers or bolts are recorded individually.
Pricing schedules vary between leasing companies, but the figures typically observed in France in 2024 are as follows:
| Type of damage | Deduction observed (per wheel) |
|---|---|
| Superficial scratch on wheel rim edge | 80 – 120 EUR |
| Deep impact or paint chip | 130 – 180 EUR |
| Deformation (kerb impact) | 180 – 250 EUR |
| Tyre replacement (wear outside tolerance) | 120 – 220 EUR (tyre + fitting) |
Preparing for the inspection: practical steps
The inspection is not something you can leave to chance. Four actions to take before the appointment:
- Photograph all four alloy wheels in detail, in good lighting, at least 15 days before the return date. Photos must be date-stamped (EXIF metadata) and show the full outer face as well as the rim edge.
- Wash the vehicle the day before, paying close attention to the alloy wheels: a film of black brake dust can mask an existing scratch but may also reveal others you hadn't noticed.
- Measure the tread depth with a gauge (under €5 at any motor accessory retailer) on all four tyres, at three points across the width.
- Check tyre pressures: an under-inflated tyre flexes more against kerbs — this is also an indicator the assessor may note.
Regarding your rights as a lessee: you are entitled to dispute a deduction if you have photographic evidence predating the contract or if the damage was recorded in the initial vehicle inspection report. Keep the signed initial inspection report for the entire duration of the contract.
Alloy wheel protection on a long-term lease: addressing the issue before it becomes costly
The logic is straightforward: a AlloyGator alloy wheel protector fitted from the day the vehicle is delivered, it costs less than the first deduction at return. The resistant polymer profile is inserted between the tyre and the rim edge: it absorbs kerb contacts, not the aluminium. At return, the profile is removed — the rim underneath is intact.
Fitting takes approximately one hour at an AlloyGator network approved fitter (approximately €99, labour included). If you drive a common model on a long-term lease — BMW, Audi or otherwise — check compatibility using the online configurator before ordering.
FAQ
Can the leasing company refuse the return if alloy wheel protectors are fitted?
No. The AlloyGator profile is a removable accessory that does not alter the alloy wheel. It is removed before the inspection: the rim is returned in its original condition, which is precisely the objective. No standard contractual clause prohibits this type of accessory during the term of the contract.
What is the difference between normal wear and a chargeable damage on an alloy wheel?
Normal wear is defined in most long-term lease contracts as deterioration resulting from appropriate use, with no identifiable impact. Uniform micro-oxidation across the entire rim edge may qualify as normal wear. However, a localised scratch, a paint chip or a deformation, even a minor one, is classified as damage and charged according to the leasing company's schedule.
Can alloy wheel protectors be fitted on already-scratched rims before the end of the contract?
Yes, but the profile does not repair existing scratches: it protects against future damage. If scratches are already present, the inspector will note them at return once the profile has been removed. In that case, having the rims repaired by a specialist body shop (paint refinishing or re-coating) before fitting the alloy wheel protector remains the most logical sequence.
