The joining fee? On us. £650 waived on Evoque, Discovery Sport & Defender 130 subscriptions. T&Cs apply.

Pivotal vehicle return standards

To help ensure a smooth handover or collection, we’ve created this guide to explain what’s considered an acceptable vehicle return condition. We understand your vehicle won’t be in perfect condition at the end of your subscription. This guide outlines what qualifies as fair wear and tear, in line with British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) industry standards for lease and finance returns.
Trustpilot

How returns work

1 We arrange collection

We'll arrange a convenient time to collect your vehicle at the end of your subscription and coordinate the collection process with you.

2 We inspect the vehicle

At the point of collection our team will perform an inspection of the vehicle, to assess any damage. This inspection will take around one hour.

3 You receive a condition report

You will then receive a vehicle condition report which will detail any points of damage.

4 We assess any charges

If there is anything which falls outside of the BVRLA guidelines, we will then organise the repair or recondition of any of these damages, and provide you with the bill for any costs incurred.

See the BVLRA guidelines

To avoid unexpected charges, please review the BVRLA parameters of what we refer to as "fair wear and tear" with the link above. Anything outside these guidelines will incur costs.

Handing over a car key in front of a grey Range Rover, illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for smooth vehicle collection
Close-up of a car's bonnet showing faded and worn paintwork illustrating general condition relevant to pivotal vehicle return standards.

General condition

Ensure the vehicle is clean for inspection. Excessively dirty vehicles will incur a cleaning fee and be inspected at our preparation centre. All electronic safety features and driver assistance systems must be in working order, including parking sensors, cruise control, and collision warnings. The vehicle must be roadworthy with no warning lights illuminated to ensure seamless collection.

Close-up of minor paintwork dents and scratches on a green vehicle, illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for fair wear and tear.

Paintwork

Minor dents and scratches are inevitable with normal use. Below are the acceptable limits for chips, dents, and scratches. Damage beyond these parameters requires professional repair at your expense. You can arrange repairs yourself if completed to professional standards with full warranty documentation. Poor-quality work will be reconditioned at your expense.

Close-up of two paint chips on a car surface demonstrating fair wear and tear guidelines in pivotal vehicle return standards

Chips

Chips up to 3mm are acceptable if not rusted. Maximum: four per panel, six per door edge, eight on forward-facing panels.

Close-up of a small dent on a silver vehicle panel illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for fair wear and tear.

Dents

Dents under 15mm with intact paint are acceptable. Maximum: two per panel. Roof and swage line dents are not permitted.

Scratches and scuff marks on a white vehicle's rear side panel illustrating fair wear and tear in line with Pivotal vehicle return standards.

Scratches

Scratches up to 25mm that can be polished out are acceptable. Maximum: four per panel. Primer or bare metal must not be visible.

Chips

Chips up to 3mm are acceptable if not rusted. Maximum: four per panel, six per door edge, eight on forward-facing panels.

Dents

Dents under 15mm with intact paint are acceptable. Maximum: two per panel. Roof and swage line dents are not permitted.

Scratches

Scratches up to 25mm that can be polished out are acceptable. Maximum: four per panel. Primer or bare metal must not be visible.

Detailed close-up view of a vehicle's rear window and mirror lights illustrating the Pivotal vehicle return standards for condition inspection.

Windows, mirrors & lights

Windows/ windscreens must be in a condition capable of passing an MOT. Light scratching of less than 10mm is acceptable, provided it does not interfere with the driver’s line of sight. The Automated Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) must still work properly.

Close-up showing a black side door mirror on a silver car illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for fair wear and tear

Door mirrors

Missing, cracked, or damaged mirror glass and housing are not acceptable. Adjustable or heated door mirrors must function correctly.

Close-up of a modern car's headlight and bonnet illustrating vehicle condition for Pivotal vehicle return standards.

Lamps & lenses

All lamps must work correctly. Minor scuff marks under 25mm are acceptable. Cracks, holes, or water ingress are not acceptable.

Interior view of front car seats and panoramic roof illustrating vehicle condition relevant to Pivotal vehicle return standards

Panoramic roofs

The roof must be fully functional with no chips, cracks, or holes. Surface scratches under 40mm that can be polished out are acceptable.

Door mirrors

Missing, cracked, or damaged mirror glass and housing are not acceptable. Adjustable or heated door mirrors must function correctly.

Lamps & lenses

All lamps must work correctly. Minor scuff marks under 25mm are acceptable. Cracks, holes, or water ingress are not acceptable.

Panoramic roofs

The roof must be fully functional with no chips, cracks, or holes. Surface scratches under 40mm that can be polished out are acceptable.

Close-up of a vehicle tyre condition illustrating tyre tread and rim as part of the Pivotal vehicle return standards inspection process

Tyre condition

All tyres, including spares, must meet minimum UK legal requirements and manufacturer recommendations for type, class, size, and speed rating. Replacement tyres must match original specifications. No sidewall or tread damage or cracking is acceptable.

Close-up of a Land Rover alloy wheel illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for fair wear and tear inspection

Wheel condition

Dents on wheels or wheel trims are unacceptable. Scuffs up to 50mm on the total wheel rim circumference and on alloy wheels/hubs are acceptable. Any damage to wheel spokes, fascia, or hub is unacceptable. The spare wheel and jack must be intact and properly stored. Emergency tyre inflation kit (if supplied) must be in full working order.

Close-up of a vehicle's clean twin exhaust pipes illustrating mechanical condition for Pivotal vehicle return standards

Mechanical condition

The vehicle must be returned in a safe, legal, and MOT-ready condition with no warning lights on. Warning lights may result in abandoned collection, incurring a £295 fee. Fluid leaks (oil, coolant, brake fluid) are unacceptable. For full details, see the BVRLA guidelines.

Close-up of a Pivotal vehicle return standards leather and fabric car seat interior showing stitching and material condition

Vehicle interior

The vehicle upholstery and trim must be clean and odourless, with no burns, scratches, tears, dents, or staining; carpets should have no holes, and all seats and headrests originally supplied should be present.

Dashboard and central console of a car showcasing climate controls and gear selector, illustrating Pivotal vehicle return standards for fair wear and tear

Equipment & controls

All original equipment, accessories, controls, and charging cables must be present and functional, excluding home ChargePoints if terms were met. All driver safety equipment must be fitted and operational. Remove all personal items; a £35 fee applies for returning any items left behind.

Four smiling team members pictured in circular frames, representing the contact team at Drive Pivotal car salary sacrifice service.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, or want any clarification on any of the items included in the BVRLA guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact the Pivotal team at [email protected] or
+44 (0) 20 3950 4833.