After the Lease-Return Report: Which Repairs Should You Authorize?
Once the lessor has issued a report, compare each chargeable item with a specific repair proposal. Paying to remove every visible mark before making that comparison can lead to unnecessary work.
Compare equivalent scopes
Match each report item to a component and photograph. Ask for a bodywork estimate identifying the parts, preparation and refinishing included. Make sure both figures cover the same area, and include applicable taxes and fees in the comparison.
Check what the lessor will accept
Before authorizing repairs, clarify the required documents, finish criteria and reinspection process. The body shop does not determine the final return charges and cannot promise they will be waived.
Allow for unknowns
A cracked component may need replacement; a photograph can conceal a broken mounting point. Clarify exclusions and how additional work would be authorized. Check the return deadline against parts availability and the proposed workshop schedule.
Keep a simple record
- The return report and applicable standards.
- The estimate and accepted scope.
- Approvals for any changed work.
- The final invoice and useful photographs.
- The lessor’s instructions about supporting documents.
Should I repair an item if the estimate exceeds the proposed charge?
Not automatically. For cosmetic damage, compare the full cost, the lessor’s requirements and the available time. Any functional or safety concern needs a separate assessment; the cheaper option does not establish whether the vehicle is usable.
For the earlier preparation stage, see our lease-return inspection checklist. For bodywork options, read about repairs before lease return. The featured photograph shows real bodywork without claiming that the vehicle was leased.
For a bodywork estimate, book an in-person appointment online, then bring your vehicle and any available lease-return report to our workshop at 781 Avenue Halpern, Dorval, Québec H9P 1G5. Bring your return deadline and the lessor’s wear guidelines so the assessment reflects your situation.
The initial verbal estimate of visible bodywork damage is free when you bring the vehicle to our Dorval shop. We do not quote repair prices by phone, message, email or photographs. A written estimate or detailed inspection is a separate service; we explain the exact applicable fees and terms before you agree, while respecting any legally required written repair estimate before covered work. Hidden damage can affect the scope and timing.
