Returning a car after LEASE is over, what to expect

[Engi-Nir]

Here's the thing, I am returning a lease car in a couple of months, and I want to know from previous lease owners, what to expect....my car was a 3yr term, I have never replaced the rotors/brakepads, the tires are still the same, has over 6mm tread left, and dealership maintained. ANd will be under the 72k km GM warrantry(well just under the limit)....basically any surprises????

[gman]

Just drop off the car. They will do a visual check. GM doesn't care any scratch which can be covered by a credit card (in terms of the size of the credit card). In that 3 years, you should not need to do anything besides 'some' oil changes.

[SimSV]

We have just returned ours to GM 2 months ago. GM Dealers do not do any kind check, not even visual. Basically they are just there for you to drop it off, sign a few forms, take your keys and take the vehicle into their "back lot". Someone from GM (not from the dealership) will come pick up the vehicle few days later, and will do inspection at their facility. If your vehcle gets damaged between you dropping it off and inspector picking it up, you are "out of luck" (exact words from my dealer). We expressed our concern to GM head office and they just said the same thing but in more customer-friendly manner. If in the inspection they find any chargable wear & tear items (big enough scratch, worn brake pads/tires, etc) they will send you a bill. Whatever amount it comes out to be, you will have to pay. You can pick up a pamphlet from the dealership which will tell you the exact damages and wear they will tolerate.

My advise is take a few pictures around the vehicle when you are at the dealership, including one at the odometer. This way, you will at least have something to go by when they give you any surprise.

[Engi-Nir]

So I am assuming, they had no issues with your car since you returned 2 months ago? hence, no additional costs incurred by you?

[SimSV]

So I am assuming, they had no issues with your car since you returned 2 months ago? hence, no additional costs incurred by you?

Right... but we had the scratches and dents taken care of before returning it. We had the vehicle for 4 years and only did oil changes every 5000km. It was well under mileage.

[bkim3]

Aren't brake pads and tires wear and tear items?

[SimSV]

Aren't brake pads and tires wear and tear items?

Yes, but they accept "reasonable" amount of wear on them when you return the lease. Same for scratches and door dings, you can have X number of scratches and dings no bigger than size Y. Every manufacturer has this documented in the lease documents.

Afterall, they can't expect brand new tires and pads when people return their vehicles after 3 or 4 years...

[Engi-Nir]

As for tires, the rule is 3mm tread has to be left, mine has >6mm, and the dealership guy said, you can always put on used tires to meet the 3mm requirement.