7 ways to save on car lease turn-in fees

7 ways to save on car lease turn - in fees 1 It's important to understand that your dealership will probably not inspect your car when you return it . In most instances the leasing company will hire a contractor , who will travel to the store to inspect the car . So it won't matter if you have a long - standing relationship with your dealer . He can't alter the inspection report , even if he wants to . Don't schedule the appointment at your dealership 3 Check your lease policy . Every lease policy interprets these problems differently , so it pays to read the fine print . Small dings , scratches and stains are often considered to be legitimate wear - and - tear . In general , you're subject to what's known as the " credit card test " for lease damage . Make sure you are covered by this credit card test before you turn your car in . Don't sweat minor door dings , scratches and upholstery stains 5 Keep a written record of your car's maintenance , so that you can prove you changed the oil regularly , checked fluid levels , rotated the tires , etc. If you encounter engine trouble or other mechanical problems , your records will help demonstrate that you were not at fault . If your lease is no longer than 36 months , the vehicle warranty should cover the cost of any necessary repairs . your Make sure that car gets scheduled maintenance 2 If your tires have at least one - eighth inch of tread remaining , you probably won't be charged . But if your tires are bald , you may be on the hook for replacements . This is why it's a good reason to rotate your tires on a regular basis .. Damaged bumpers are another common problem , and they can be costly . If a headlight or taillight is scuffed but not broken , you may avoid a penalty fee . Repair damaged bumpers , broken windshields or bald tires . 4 If you left the cover for your car's luggage compartment in a corner of the garage , remember to put it back . And ditto for the spare tire cover or the third row of seats for your SUV . Keep all the equipment Think twice about wear - and - tear insurance 6 If you're a hopeless slob - or if you have small children who tend to spill things - you might consider buying wear - and - tear protection . Ally Financial offers wear - and - tear coverage for damage up to $ 5,000 on all Ally leased vehicles . Ford Credit has a similar insurance policy . 7 Lessors generally offer a range of mileage allowances . For example , Ford Credit offers seven mileage options ranging from 10,500 miles up to 19,500 miles per year on Ford vehicles . If you exceed your limit , you may be charged 15 to 25 cents per mile , depending on the lease . So if your excess mileage amounts to 10,000 miles , you could be billed $ 1,500 . If you know you are going to do some serious driving , lessors generally allow you to buy extra miles for roughly a nickel per mile less than the penalty fee . Don't exceed your annual mileage limits , period by autoleasingnj.com