Lease return
Lease return: repairing damage before you hand the car back
Before a lease return, Carrosserie K.I. in Biel/Bienne repairs dents, scratches, parking damage, wheel damage and stone chips, using paintless dent repair, smart repair, spot painting, wheel repair and windscreen repair. You send photos online and receive an indicative quote within 24 hours on working days, which you can compare with the deduction you would otherwise expect. What the leasing company charges in the end is determined by the lease agreement and the return report; we cannot give any guarantee on that.
- All makes
- Direct billing with insurers
- Courtesy car on request
- Repair rather than replace
- Reply usually within 24 h
- German & French
Process
- 1
Report the damage online: upload registration and photos, state the return date
- 2
Indicative quote incl. VAT within 24 hours on working days
- 3
Compare the quote with the expected deduction and decide what is worthwhile
- 4
Appointment in good time before the return, with a courtesy car on request
- 5
Repair, quality control and handover with an invoice as proof
The damage we repair before a lease return
At a lease return the vehicle is inspected and its condition is recorded in a return report. As a rule, what gets flagged is damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Where that line is drawn is set by the leasing company in its conditions. Typical cases are dents from car parks and shopping trolleys, scratches on bumpers and door edges, scuff marks on the wheels and stone chips in the windscreen. For exactly this kind of damage there are methods that are far less invasive than replacing whole parts.
If the paint is undamaged, we push dents out using paintless dent repair and the original paint is preserved. Small paint defects are dealt with by smart repair and spot painting: only the affected area is worked on and blended in the specified colour, not the whole panel. Wheels with kerb damage are sanded, built up and repainted. A stone chip can often be repaired with resin, provided it is small and not in the field of vision or at the edge of the glass; otherwise the windscreen is replaced. Larger damage is repaired as normal bodywork and paintwork.
Comparing the quote with the deduction and deciding honestly
Repairing before the return is not an end in itself. It pays off where the repair costs less than the loss in value that would otherwise be charged. That is why everything starts with photos: in the online damage report you upload the vehicle registration and pictures of the affected parts and receive an indicative quote including VAT within 24 hours on working days. The final price is set after the inspection. If the leasing company has already given you a preliminary assessment or a list of points, include it and we will quote for exactly those items.
To be honest, there are limits. Whether and how much the leasing company charges is its decision, based on the lease agreement and the return report; we cannot give any guarantee on that. Also check whether your agreement contains requirements for repairs, for example on the choice of workshop, and ask the leasing company if in doubt. We work to manufacturer specifications and issue an invoice that you can present as proof at the return. The workshop is in Biel/Bienne; on request there is a courtesy car and a collection and delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth having damage repaired before a lease return?
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That depends on the individual damage and can only be answered by comparison. Our indicative quote tells you what the repair costs. You set that against the loss in value that would probably be charged at the return; your lease agreement and the leasing company’s return conditions give you a guide. We tell you openly if we see no point in repairing a particular spot.
Do you guarantee that the leasing company will charge nothing after the repair?
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No. Deductions are decided by the leasing company on the basis of the lease agreement and the return report, not by us. We can repair damage professionally so that less is up for discussion. Items such as excess mileage, missing keys or documents, overdue services or the condition of the interior are outside our bodywork and paint work.
When should I get in touch before the return date?
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As soon as the return date is fixed. That leaves time for the indicative quote, your decision, any parts that need ordering and a workshop appointment without time pressure. State the date in the online damage report and we will plan the work so that the vehicle is ready beforehand. How long the repair takes depends on the type and number of damaged areas.
Related services
Paintless dent repair (PDR)
Dents are pushed out from the inside: no filler, no paint, with the original surface.
Parking damage, dents & scratches
Smart repair instead of replacing parts: bumpers, doors and wings repaired quickly and affordably.
Car paintwork & spot repair
Colour-matched paintwork, and thanks to spot repair only as much as necessary.
Wheel repair
Kerb damage, scratches and chipped paint on alloy wheels: professionally repaired and refinished.
Stone chips & glass
Stone chips and glass damage at a glance: repair where possible; replacement including calibration of the driver assistance camera.
Car detailing & polishing
Polishing the paint, removing fine scratches, sealing and cleaning the interior: for more gloss and a well-kept overall impression.
No appointment, no waiting.