# How do I dispute end of lease charges?

Ask for the inspection report and photographs, compare each charge with the fair wear and tear standard named in your agreement, then complain in writing about the lines the evidence does not support. The company has eight weeks to give a final response. After that you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the BVRLA dispute service, both free.

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/how-to-dispute-end-of-lease-charges/

## Step 1: get the evidence

BVRLA members must tell you about charges within four weeks of the car's return and give you a summary of the charges, how they were calculated, the photos or video behind them, and how to query them. [1] If any of that is missing, ask for it in writing before you pay.

## Step 2: test every line

Go through the bill one charge at a time against the [fair wear and tear limits](https://damagereclaim.co.uk/guides/bvrla-fair-wear-and-tear-standard/). The lines worth disputing are those where:

- the photograph does not show the damage, or shows no scale
- the mark is inside the size and count limits
- the same panel or wheel is charged twice
- an extra such as a late return or valet charge does not match your agreement

Our [free bill check](https://damagereclaim.co.uk/#check) does this line by line.

## Step 3: check the sums

Recalculate any [excess mileage charge](https://damagereclaim.co.uk/guides/excess-mileage-charges/) and check that waivers or allowances in your agreement have been deducted.

## Step 4: complain in writing

Send a complaint that lists each disputed line and the reason. Accept the lines you agree with and say you will pay them. A firm regulated by the FCA must send a final response within eight weeks. [2]

## Step 5: escalate

| Route | Who can use it | Deadline | What it can do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Financial Ombudsman Service | Customers with a regulated agreement | Six months from the final response | Tell the firm to waive or refund charges, and award compensation |
| BVRLA dispute service | Customers of BVRLA members | Twelve months from the final response | Decide whether the member broke the BVRLA code. The member must comply |
| Independent engineer | Either side, by agreement | None set | Binding on both. If it goes your way, the company refunds the reasonable cost |

You cannot run the same dispute through the ombudsman and the BVRLA at once. [3] [4] [1]

## While the dispute is open

Companies do not have to pause collection while a complaint is open, and one ombudsman said so directly. [5] In another decision the ombudsman noted that a lender must not start legal proceedings while a valid complaint is with the service, and told the firm to waive collection fees and remove an adverse credit entry. [6] If you pay to protect your credit file, say in writing that you are paying under protest and still dispute the charges.

## What to expect

In the decisions we have read, bills were often cut at the complaint stage before the ombudsman was involved: £1,727 to £931, £880 to £430 and £705 to £615. [7] [8] [9] See [what works and what fails](https://damagereclaim.co.uk/guides/arguments-that-work-and-fail/).

## Quick answers

**How long do I have to dispute end of lease charges?** Complain to the company as soon as you get the bill. After its final response you have six months to go to the Financial Ombudsman Service, or twelve months to use the BVRLA dispute service.

**Does it cost anything to dispute lease return charges?** No. Complaining to the company, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the BVRLA dispute service are all free for consumers.

**Should I pay the bill while I dispute it?** You can pay under protest to avoid collection activity, and say in writing that you still dispute the charges. Paying does not stop you complaining.

## Sources

1. [BVRLA, Returning your leased vehicle](https://bvrla.co.uk/resource/returning-your-leased-vehicle-new.html)
2. [FCA Handbook, DISP 1.6 Complaints time limit rules](https://handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/disp1/disp1s6)
3. [BVRLA, ADR service frequently asked questions](https://bvrla.co.uk/home/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint-adr/adr-procedures)
4. [FCA Handbook, DISP 2.8 Was the complaint referred in time?](https://handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/DISP/2/8.html)
5. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-6280295 (Arval)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-6280295.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-5371089 (Skoda Financial Services)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5371089.pdf)
8. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5714458 (Volkswagen Financial Services)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5714458.pdf)
9. [Financial Ombudsman Service, decision DRN-5588300 (LeasePlan)](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-5588300.pdf)