What is Excess Wear and Tear?

Excess wear and tear refers to damage on a leased vehicle that goes beyond normal, expected use and becomes the customer's financial responsibility at lease return. Normal wear, such as light interior marks or minor stone chips, is typically accepted, but items like cracked glass, dents, torn upholstery, worn-out tires, or missing components are charged back to the lessee. Leasing companies publish wear guidelines, and a pre-return inspection identifies chargeable items. Canadian dealers often offer excess wear protection products in the F&I office that cover a set dollar amount of end-of-lease damage, sparing the customer an unexpected bill. Explaining the wear standard early and offering protection at delivery is both a service to the customer and a compliant way to present a genuinely useful product.