Your car finance
Preparing to return your car
It’s good to know what to expect when it comes to the end of your contract. You can find out more by logging into your online accountϮ. You might be thinking about part exchange or holding onto your car. Or if you’re looking to hand it back, take a look at our guide to understand what’s required.
If you return your car we won’t charge you for fair wear and tear^, but you could be charged for damage to your vehicle. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand what constitutes fair wear and tear, and what counts as damage. If you decide to return your car you can choose to get any damage fixed – or receive an invoice from us for the cost of repairs.
View our helpful guide (PDF 319kb) >
Damage that you might have to pay for
Damage goes beyond wear and tear. The most common types of damage found on returned cars include scratches on doors, wheels, bumpers and body panels.
If your car is damaged when your return it, you may be charged* for how much it would cost to repair it. Damage examples include numerous scratches: scratches over 25mm or those that cannot be polished out.
Examples of damage repair costs
DOORS £145
Charges are based on a Level 1 repair and paint. This figure accounts for over 80% of damage charges applied for the relevant panel.
WHEELS £56
Fixed cost for scuffs and scratches over 50mm on total circumference of wheel, under 50mm there is no charge. Spoke damage, rust or corrosion is chargeable.
BUMPERS AND BODY PANELS £148
Charges are based on a Level 1 repair and paint. This figure accounts for over 80% of damage charges applied for the relevant panel.
MISSING KEYS £155
Cost varies by vehicle manufacturer, figure based on an average across all manufacturers.
ABSENT OR PARTIAL SERVICE HISTORY £256
Fixed cost across all vehicle manufacturers and age of vehicle.
MISSING V5 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT £25
Fixed cost across all vehicle manufacturers and age of vehicle.
Additional charges may apply for excess mileage. When you took out your finance, you agreed a maximum mileage with us. You can find details in your contract’s terms and conditions.
For more significant damage repair, we’ll calculate the charge by pricing labour at £27 per hour.
What is fair wear and tear?
Fair wear and tear is when normal day-to-day usage of your car causes deterioration.* As a guide, fair wear and tear is assessed across a range of areas, including:
SERVICING
Has the car been regularly serviced – and have you got a record?
THE INTERIOR
Is it clean and odour-free, with no burns, rips, scratches or stains?
UP TO MOT STANDARD
Is the car in a safe, legal and reliable mechanical condition – such that it would pass an MOT?
GENERALLY ROAD SAFE
Are all the car’s electronic safety features working and the wheels in good condition?
CONDITION OF TYRES AND SPARES
Must meet UK minimum requirements of 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters and circumference of tyre.
CHIPS, SCRATCHES AND DENTS
Must not be of an unacceptable size or number. If you get any repaired they must have been done to a professional standard.
PAINTWORK - APPEARANCE AND CONDITION
Bumpers, trim and bodywork must be rust-free, and without any other discolouration or corrosion.
All original equipment, accessories and controls must be as supplied and operate correctly. We follow the Good Condition Guide – for further detail and practical guidance, view the industry guide here.
Checklist for returning your car
Before you begin to check your car for damage, it's a good idea to wash and clean it inside and out. That way you can be sure you're clearly assessing its condition.
Always check in good lighting and ask a friend along to help, to give you a second opinion. They might also spot a scratch or dent you could miss. You'll also be asked to return the following with your car.
You'll be charged for anything that's missing.
- Evidence of a full service history, please obtain a paper copy if your service history is online
- Car handbook (if supplied)
- V5 Registration document
- Full set of car keys, including a spare, and the wheel security key (if supplied)
- Charging cable for electric vehicles
- Any accessories that came with your car
If you have a personal number plate, please liaise with the DVLA 10-12 weeks before the end of the finance.
Don't forget that the car needs to have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel and electric vehicles must be fully charged. You also need to remove any personal belongings and ensure data is deleted from in car systems such as the sat nav.
Watch our short video to learn more about what happens at the end of your contract.
What else should I consider?
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When our collection agent picks up your car, they’ll complete a full assessment using the standards detailed in the Good Condition Guide. We’ll then share the report with you, highlighting any repair charges.
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If charges apply, we’ll send your invoice based on the inspection report, usually within 10 days. You can pay by logging into your online account or you can set up a payment plan with us.
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Reviewing our charges on an annual basis means they are always:
- Priced fairly considering the car’s age and mileage
- Benchmarked against market and industry insights
- In line with our own standard accident repair costs
- Aligned with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) if increases are proposed
Ϯ Requires registration, visit: https://customerportal.blackhorse.co.uk/blackhorse/welcome#/
^ Full details of what counts as fair wear and tear can be found in the Good Condition Guide.
*The figures included are provided as examples of potential damage charges you may incur at the end of your agreement and are not exact. As such, the figures shown should not be relied upon other than for general information only. We accept no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of this communication.
1. Charges provided are based on a Level 1 repair and paint. This figure shown accounts for over 80% of damage charges applied for the relevant panel.
2. Fixed cost for scuffs and scratches over 50mm on total circumference of wheel, under 50mm there is no charge. Spoke damage, rust or corrosion is chargeable.
3. Cost varies by vehicle manufacturer, figure based on an average across all manufacturers.
4. Fixed cost across all vehicle manufacturers and includes age of vehicle calculations for non-maintained contracts.
Smart Repairs are defined as: Damage <75mm where there is no paint damage. Cost £43.
Damage >75mm where there is no paint damage. Cost £86.
Smart Paint Repair may be applied for minor paint damage where there is not a requirement to replace or respray multiple panels. Cost £77.
Level 1 repair and paint is defined as: Panel damage with paint damage between 15mm and 75mm in size / diameter.
Level 2 repair and paint is defined as: Panel damage with paint damage greater than 75mm in size / diameter.
If we deem the damage unrepairable, we may charge you for a replacement part. As a rule, this is where >30% of the panel is damaged. The costs for this will be calculated using a Thatcham-based estimating system and costs will be greater than those quoted above. The Thatcham based estimating system provides advice for insurance engineers and damage assessors. It gives vehicle repairers access to the latest methods and technical information around vehicle repairing to ensure fair pricing for parts.