# Can a leasing company charge for scuffed alloy wheels?

Yes, when the scuffing adds up to more than 50mm around the rim, or when there is any damage to the spokes, face or hub. In most ombudsman decisions we have read the charge was £60 to £80 a wheel, though one bill charged £100 and £233.69. Wheel charges are also the ones most often removed, because the photograph has to prove the scuff is over 50mm.

Last reviewed 13 November 2026. Published by Handback Check (https://damagereclaim.co.uk), an independent UK service that checks lease return bills. Canonical page: https://damagereclaim.co.uk/guides/alloy-wheel-charges-lease-return/

## The rule

The BVRLA standard accepts scuffs totalling up to 50mm on the circumference of each wheel. Dents in the rim are not accepted, and neither is any damage to the spokes, the face or the hub. [1] [2] [3]

Size limits: stone chip 3mm, dent 15mm, scratch 25mm, alloy wheel scuff 50mm in total per wheel.

## What wheel charges cost

| Decision | Company | Charge per wheel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DRN-5794559 | Santander Consumer Contract Hire | £60 |
| DRN-5495134 | Leasys | £65 |
| DRN-6074117 | Novuna | £65 |
| DRN-6218638 | MINI Financial Services | £80 |
| DRN-5588300 | LeasePlan | £80 |
| DRN-5231884 | ALD Automotive | £100 and £233.69 |

These are the amounts recorded in individual decisions, not a price list. [4] [5] [2] [6] [7] [8]

## When wheel charges have been removed

- **Dusty photos, no ruler.** Two £80 charges were removed because the images did not show the scuffing passed 50mm. [6]
- **Damage not visible.** A £65 spoke damage charge fell because the photo did not show it. [5]
- **Unclear photo.** The ombudsman said the company must clearly demonstrate damage is outside fair wear and tear, and removed a wheel charge. [9]
- **Inside the limit.** One of several wheel charges was refunded because that wheel's scuffing was within 50mm, and another was removed where the scuff showed no corrosion. [10] [11]

## When they have stood

- Scuffing measured over 50mm by an independent inspector. [12]
- A scratch running across two spokes. [6]
- Scuffs spanning three to five of a wheel's twenty spokes. There was no ruler, but the ombudsman could see it was far more than 50mm. [3]
- A customer's own repair that left uneven rims and came with no transferable warranty. [13]

## What to do with your bill

1. Ask for the photo of each wheel charged.
2. Check whether it shows a scale, and whether the mark is on the rim only or reaches a spoke.
3. Dispute any wheel where the image does not show more than 50mm in total.
4. Accept the ones that plainly do. Disputing everything weakens the lines you can win.

## Quick answers

**How much do leasing companies charge for a scuffed alloy?** Most often between £60 and £80 a wheel in the ombudsman decisions we have read, with one bill charging £100 and £233.69. Your agreement or the company's published charge list sets the figure for you.

**Is kerb damage fair wear and tear?** Light scuffing is, up to a total of 50mm around the rim of each wheel. Anything on a spoke, the face or the hub is not.

**Should I refurbish my alloys before returning the car?** It can be cheaper, but only if the work is done to a professional standard and comes with a warranty that transfers with the car. One customer was charged £195 after a repair that did not meet that test.

## Sources

1. [The AA, Understanding the fair wear and tear standards](https://www.theaa.com/leasing/leasing-guides/understanding-the-fair-wear-and-tear-standards)
2. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-6074117 (Novuna Vehicle Solutions)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-6074117.pdf)
3. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5446648 (Volvo Car)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5446648.pdf)
4. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5794559 (Santander Consumer Contract Hire)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5794559.pdf)
5. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5495134 (Leasys)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5495134.pdf)
6. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-6218638 (MINI Financial Services)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-6218638.pdf)
7. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5588300 (LeasePlan)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5588300.pdf)
8. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5231884 (ALD Automotive)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5231884.pdf)
9. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-4605998 (Alphabet)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4605998.pdf)
10. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5860940 (Volkswagen Financial Services)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5860940.pdf)
11. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-3728815 (Novuna Vehicle Solutions)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-3728815.pdf)
12. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-6280295 (Arval)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-6280295.pdf)
13. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5679986 (PSA Finance UK)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5679986.pdf)