The BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide, explained

What the BVRLA is

The BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) is the UK trade body for companies involved in vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management. Most major UK car leasing companies are BVRLA members. The BVRLA publishes a Fair Wear and Tear Guide intended to give the industry a consistent, agreed standard for assessing vehicle condition at the end of a lease or finance agreement.

What the guide is for

The guide's stated purpose is to provide an industry-wide standard defining what counts as fair wear and tear — the gradual, reasonable deterioration expected from normal use — as distinct from damage caused by a specific event, impact, harsh treatment, or neglect. BVRLA member leasing companies generally use it, or reference it, as the basis for assessing returned vehicles and deciding what can be charged.

For a fuller explanation of what "fair wear and tear" means in practice, see our guide to fair wear and tear on a lease car.

Why you can't just download it

BVRLA's own published consumer advice tells drivers to request a copy of the guide from their leasing company, rather than linking to a public download. In other words, the guide isn't distributed as an open public document — it's provided to members and, on request, to their customers. LeaseChargeCheck is not affiliated with the BVRLA and does not reproduce the guide's tables, thresholds or images here; if you want to see the actual standard your leasing company is applying, the reliable route is to ask them directly.

How to get a copy

1. Ask your leasing company directly — most can email a copy or point you to it in your customer portal.
2. Check your lease agreement's terms and conditions, which may reference or include a summary of the standard applied.
3. If your leasing company isn't a BVRLA member, ask what standard they use instead, since the BVRLA guide may not apply to your agreement at all.

What it's not

• It's not a legal document, and it doesn't override the specific terms of your own lease agreement
• It's not published or endorsed by a regulator, ombudsman or government body
• It's not something LeaseChargeCheck has special access to or authority over — we're an independent, unaffiliated tool

Once you have a copy of the actual standard, our guide ondisputing lease return charges covers what to do next, and our guide tolease car damage charges breaks down what's typically assessed in each category.

Source: BVRLA consumer advice — returning your leased vehicle. This page is general information for UK motorists, is not legal advice, and LeaseChargeCheck is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BVRLA.