BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide updated

A new Fair Wear and Tear Guide for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses up to 17 seats has been launched by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).

The BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide covers every aspect of a vehicle’s condition when it is returned to a lease company at the end of a contract.

The trade body for the UK vehicle leasing sector produces three guides – for cars, vans and commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Changes have been made to the commercial vehicle guide in relation to: chips, dents and scratches; windscreens; minor and major repairs; direct vision sensors and ADAS; in-cab cameras; passenger vehicles; and curtains and pelmets. 

BVRLA director of fleet services, Amanda Brandon, said: “The BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide forms an important part of our governance regime and it sets the industry standard when it comes to best practice for assessing fair wear and tear on leased vehicles.”

Brandon explained that customers who lease from a BVRLA member have the “reassurance” of knowing that they are doing business with a “professional company”, which adheres to the BVRLA Code of Conduct and offers free access to the BVRLA Alternative Dispute Resolution service.

“Anybody leasing a vehicle should request a copy of the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide,” she added. “It provides customers with essential advice on vehicle maintenance and upkeep to help prevent unacceptable wear and tear from occurring.

“It defines the industry standard for every aspect of the vehicle's condition, so there should be no surprises when a vehicle is returned.”

The new guide for commercial vehicles over 3.5t has was updated following a review by an expert group of representatives from the BVRLA, including fleet operators, auction houses, de-fleet organisations, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA).