To help explain what is deemed fair wear and tear we have produced a film to explain the rules and give examples of the kind of damage you may not be charged for.
If you are concerned that your car has damage that you may be charged for, please refer to our matrix of damage charge costs for an indication of the potential charges.
At least 10 days before the end of your contract, please call us on 0370 5050 123 to book your car's inspection. You can also request a collection via our online contact form.
Our logistics company will carry out your car's inspection, checking for damage that falls outside fair wear and tear guidelines. They will also record the mileage so we can check this against the contractual mileage limit on your finance agreement.
If you have a MINI Select Agreement, we will require you to send back the V5C to us in order to pass ownership of your vehicle to us, but not before detaching Section 9 of the V5.
Prior to the collection date you can either send Section 9 of the V5C back or complete the notification to the DVLA online so they know you are no longer the registered keeper of the car. When they receive this they will automatically refund any unused road fund tax. At the same time you must send the rest of the V5C document back to us at our free post address. Just include your V5 in an envelope, putting “FREE POST, VEHICLE ADMIN” on the front of the envelope and post back to us.
If you are unable to find your V5C, you can request a duplicate online. If we have not received your V5C by the date your vehicle is due to be collected, you will be invoiced £100 for the loss in value of us selling a vehicle without a V5C.
If you have a MINI Contract Hire agreement we will manage this process for you.
If you have a personalised number plate and wish to retain it, use the DVLA’s online service to obtain a new V5C and your plate retention certificate or call them as soon as possible on 0300 790 6802. In addition to the retention certificate, they will issue you another V5C with the new car registration number on. Please send this V5C to us and ensure the number plates on your MINI are changed to reflect the new registration.
We will then send this to our local Vehicle Registration Office who will then put your plate onto retention. Please note that this can take up to eight weeks.
We will receive the new V5C (log book) from the DVLA. We will also receive confirmation of the replacement registration number and will forward this to you. Please note that once you receive this you must fit new plates at your own cost.
Once this is complete please call us to arrange collection.
If we don't receive anything from you and your personalised plate is still on your car when it is returned, we will assume you are happy for it to be sold with your car.
Please review the damage video above and matrix of damage charges to ensure that you are aware of the sort of damage that may incur a charge.
If your car has been involved in an accident, you should have it repaired under your motor insurance policy before returning it to us. Any repairs must be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and you must tell us about any accident damage you've had repaired during the agreement.
You will need to ensure your MINI is taxed, insured and has a valid MOT, where appropriate, up until the point we collect it.
The car return process includes a 'fair wear and tear' inspection carried out by a trained inspector, followed by the collection of the car by a driver. It is important that you are present when our appointed logistics company inspects your car, as you will need to sign the report to confirm that you agree to the car's return condition.
Please ensure your car is clean, road legal, contains a minimum of a quarter of a tank of fuel and is parked with plenty of space around it for the inspector to complete his assessment. The full service history should be placed inside the car along with spare keys, the key to any locking wheel nuts and any other items that came with your MINI.
Once we receive the vehicle inspection report from the logistics company, we will check if the mileage on your car has exceeded the agreed limit. If it has, you will be invoiced at the pence per mile rate stated in your finance agreement.
We will also review any damage detailed on the inspection report and raise an invoice for anything that falls outside of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association's (BVRLA) Fair Wear and Tear Guidelines.
How to change your details and find out what happens at the end of your contract.
Take good care of your MINI to maximise your enjoyment of your car. It’s important if you are thinking of selling, part exchanging, or handing it back to us.
Questions you may have about ending your finance agreement.
