Leasing
Wear and Use
Don't think of returning your vehicle as the end. Think of it as a new beginning.
Returning Your Vehicle
Approximately 120-150 days before your lease is scheduled to end, a Lease-End Brochure will be sent outlining what to expect when returning your lease vehicle.
When you return your vehicle to Ford Credit, its overall condition will need to be evaluated to determine if there are areas of chargeable Excess Wear and Use. To help you prepare in assessing the condition of your vehicle, a Wear and Use Evaluator Card containing Normal Wear and Use measurements, as well as some useful guidelines are included in the brochure.
Inspecting your vehicle provides you with options that will help avoid charges at the end of your lease. Your dealer can provide needed repairs, genuine Ford or Mercury parts, service and expertise on whatever is needed to prepare your vehicle for return.
Approximately 35-45 days before your lease is scheduled to end, you will be contacted by a vehicle inspection company* to arrange a date for your vehicle inspection. This inspection is a standard practice and recommended so that you will be aware of our assessment of Excess Wear and Use on your vehicle. If for some reason you are not contacted about an inspection, contact your dealer for assistance.
On or before the scheduled lease-end date, return your vehicle to your originating dealer.** We suggest scheduling an appointment for vehicle return in advance to ensure that your dealer will be ready to support your needs. In addition, failing to return your vehicle on time could result in additional charges as described in your Red Carpet Lease Agreement. To fulfill your lease obligations, you need to be present at vehicle return to:
- Review and sign the Odometer Statement (required by federal law).
- Pay any Excess Mileage and Excess Wear and Use charges.
* Vehicle inspection companies used by Ford Credit include:
- Alliance Inspection Management (AiM)
- DataScan Field Services (DFS)
** If you've moved and now live more than 75 air miles from your originating dealer, you may return your lease
vehicle to a participating Ford dealer. Be sure to contact them for an appointment prior to
vehicle return. If you are having trouble locating a participating Ford dealer,
please contact our Customer Service Center.
As your Lease Agreement states, Ford Credit expects lease vehicles to be returned in good condition allowing for Normal Wear and Use (refer to your Lease Agreement for information regarding vehicle Wear and Use). Chargeable Excess Wear and Use is the result of damage to a vehicle outside the Normal Wear and Use guidelines.
| DAMAGE | NORMAL WEAR & USE | EXCESS WEAR & USE |
| Exterior body panel dings, dents and scratches | Up to three (3) per panel with a diameter up to 4 inches | Four (4) or more per panel or any with diameter greater than 4 inches |
| Glass | No glass damage | All glass damage is chargeable (even small cracks and chips can compromise safety) |
| Lenses (headlights, taillights and markers) | Scratches and scuffs | Cracked or broken |
| Wheels | Scratches up to 6 inches and gouges up to 1/2 inch | Scratches greater than 6 inches or gouges greater than 1/2 inch |
| Tires | Tread depth of 1/8 inch or greater everywhere on tire surface. No sidewall damage/plugs |
Tread depth less than 1/8 inch anywhere on tire surface. Any sidewall damage/plugs |
| Interior burn holes | Up to two (2) per panel with diameter up to 1/8 inch | Three (3) or more per panel or any with diameter greater than 1/8 inch |
| Interior permanent stains | One (1) per panel up to 1/2 inch | Two (2) per panel or any greater than 1/2 inch |
| Interior cuts and tears | Up to two (2) per panel up to 1/2 inch | Three (3) or more per panel or any greater than 1/2 inch |
Excess Wear and Use also includes (see your Lease Agreement for additional details):
- Broken or missing parts (e.g., keys, key fobs, spare tire)
- Poor quality repairs
- Mechanical or electrical malfunctions
- Tires that are not of appropriate size or rating for the vehicle
You will be responsible for any chargeable Excess Wear and Use remaining at vehicle return. To avoid these Excess Wear and Use charges, we recommend that you have necessary repairs made prior to returning your vehicle. Be sure to consult your dealer for any needs or questions you might have.
Some types of vehicle damage considered Excess Wear and Use may be covered by your insurance policy. If this is the case, be sure to allow sufficient time for claims to be processed and repairs to be completed before vehicle return. Additionally, if you purchased WearCare® at lease inception you're likely covered for Excess Wear and Use up to $4,000 (see your WearCare® Addendum for details)!
Excess Mileage
If the mileage on your vehicle exceeds that allowed in your Red Carpet Lease Agreement, you will be responsible for paying for the additional miles driven. Please refer to your agreement for miles allowed and excess mileage charges. These charges will be collected at vehicle return.
