# End-of-lease damage standards for vans > The BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear standard for commercial vehicles: what counts as fair wear, what is chargeable, and how to prepare a van for collection. Source: https://fleetme.co.uk/guides/end-of-lease-damage-standards --- # End-of-lease damage standards for vans By [the FleetMe team](https://fleetme.co.uk/about) · Updated 14 October 2026 · 9 min read The short answer **Vehicles are assessed against the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear standard, which has a separate guide for light commercial vehicles. Normal working wear is accepted. Dents, holes, torn linings and un-removed livery are chargeable. Start preparing four weeks out.** ## What “fair wear and tear” means, and who decides ## Where the commercial standard differs from the car standard ## What is typically chargeable - **Paint scuffs and scratches**, acceptable up to roughly 100mm long where they will polish out. More than about two per panel is not. - **Dents** — unacceptable above roughly 20mm across, or anywhere they distort a panel edge or stop a door opening. - **Bumper and grille scuffs** — acceptable in small numbers where they are shallow. - **Windscreen chips** — acceptable below about 10mm and outside the driver's line of sight. Any crack is chargeable. - **Wheels** — minor scratching is allowed, gouging and buckling are not. - **Tyres** — above the legal minimum, with no sidewall damage or cracking. ## Livery, signwriting and de-branding ## Racking, ply lining, roof racks and conversions ## Documentation and missing items ## The four-week plan before collection ## What happens after collection, and how to query a charge ## Put a price on it Tell us the vehicle, the term and the annual mileage you need and we come back with a written quote, and we aim to do that the same working day. Rentals are quoted ex VAT with the VAT-inclusive figure alongside, and your agreement is with FleetMe. How many vehicles do you need? Takes a minute. No obligation. ## Enquiry received, one step to go. We can put a guide figure together from what you ve told us. To confirm the vehicle, the monthly rental and a delivery date **in writing**, we need your business details and the underwriting information. Next step · about 5 minutes Complete your business application It s pre-filled from your answers. Nothing is committed until we confirm your quote and you sign. No obligation · About 5 minutes Prefer to leave it there? We ll still be in touch about your enquiry. ## FAQs ### What is the BVRLA fair wear and tear standard? It is the industry benchmark published by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association setting out, area by area, what condition is acceptable at the end of a lease and what is chargeable. There is a separate guide for light commercial vehicles that reflects how vans are actually used. ### What counts as fair wear and tear on a van? The deterioration expected from careful ordinary use, abrasion and scuffing in the load area and on loading sills, light marks from loading, and small polishable paint scuffs. Dents, holes in the load floor, cracked glass, kerbed wheels, torn linings and structural damage are chargeable. ### Do I have to remove signwriting before returning a leased van? Yes. Livery, vinyl graphics and wraps must be professionally removed and the vehicle made good. Budget for it several weeks before collection, because removal can leave ghosting, adhesive residue or lifted lacquer that needs proper attention, and painted signwriting usually means a respray. ### Can I fit racking to a leased van? Usually yes, but agree it with us in writing before it is fitted so the hand-back treatment is known from the start. Expect to remove it and make good at the end, including filling and painting drilled holes. Keep the removed trim, blanking plugs and original fixings. ### How do I avoid end-of-lease damage charges? Inspect the vehicle dry and in daylight four weeks before collection and photograph everything. Get repair quotes, smart repairs are often cheaper than the charge. Remove livery and racking professionally, complete the service history, and find both keys and the locking wheel nut key. ### What if I disagree with an end-of-lease damage charge? Raise it promptly and in writing, referencing your own dated photographs from the day of collection and the BVRLA light commercial vehicle standard, which is the reference point for both sides. Where a disagreement cannot be resolved, an independent engineer’s inspection is the normal next step. ## Next step Business van leasing → How the monthly rental is built, what is included, and who business contract hire is for. Business van leasing eligibility → The honest answer on who gets considered, and what we look at when we assess a business. Or go straight to the range: [browse vans and pickups](https://fleetme.co.uk/vans) · [company cars](https://fleetme.co.uk/cars) ## Related