How to Prepare a Car for Lease Inspection

Your vehicle lease is about to expire and it is time to prepare for the inspection. It is important to take this matter seriously or you may have some extreme penalties when the turn-in time comes. The car needs to be in fair condition with low wear-and-tear. You want it to be as perfect as possible. Follow the instructions below so that you are not surprised come inspection time.

Things You'll Need

• Car wash supplies
• Vacuum cleaner
• Camera
• Oil and filter change
• Mechanic

Instructions

1. Take the car to a mechanic for inspection.

2. Contact your insurance company if you have any dents or hail damage. These dents need to be repaired!

3. Repair any other excessive damage to the vehicle frame and interior.

4. Verify that the tires are in good condition with the proper level of tread. Replace them if they will not pass the inspection.

5. Change the oil and filter.

6. Vacuum and clean the interior of the vehicle.

7. Wash the vehicle before the actual inspection.

8. Empty the car of personal items including change.

9. Take pictures of the car for your own records and to compare them with those done by the inspector.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the car is very clean. Some inspectors might feel that if the car is dirty, you must be trying to cover something up and might inspect it twice as closely.

• Do your own inspection four to five weeks prior to the turn in. This will allow you time to have any repairs done.

• The leasing company tends to charge two to three times more than what you will pay to have it repaired. Thus, do your own repairs first.

• The mechanic may have a huge list of repairs. This may be more of a wish list for the mechanic than a list of things needed for your car to pass inspection. Choose to have the mechanic only do the repairs from the list that you feel must be done to get the most value out of your car.