Guidelines for Determining
Vehicle’s Normal Wear and
Tear and Damages not
Caused by Normal Wear and
Tear
Table of Content
Determining Vehicles’ Normal Wear and Tear and Damages not Caused by Normal Wear
and Tear
3
Body
4
Aprons/Bumpers, Sills and Inlays
6
Windows, Lights, Mirrors
7
Wheels and Tyres
8
Interior
9
Vehicle’s Condition Upon Transfer
10
Returning the Car
11
Recommended Annex 1 to the Acceptance Certificate
12
These Guidelines have been developed with the purpose to standardise the criteria for
determining vehicles’ normal wear and tear and damages not caused by normal tear
or wear.
These Guidelines have been approved by the Latvian Association of
Authorised Car Dealers and the Latvian Association of Lessors.
2
Guidelines for Determining Vehicles’
Normal Wear and Tear and Damages
not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear*
With these Guidelines for Determining Vehicle’s Normal Wear and Tear and
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear, we aim to clarify problems
that can be encountered in connection with returning the vehicle and repair
expenses upon expiry of the lease period.
These Guidelines have been recognised by all the car dealers that buy back
vehicles. A common view on this issue makes it easier to reach agreements
between vehicle re-purchasers, leasing companies and lessees with regard to the
identification of vehicle defects and damages. These Guidelines list the defects
caused by normal wear and tear as well as damages not caused by normal wear
and tear.
To ensure good condition of the vehicle we recommend the following:
• To prevent problems with the vehicle during the lease or rent period and
upon its expiration, it is recommended to take good care of it: to get it serviced
on a regular basis in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and
warranties, to check the condition of tyres and body (inter alia paintwork
damages) regularly etc.
• Attention should be paid to any damages and defects of the vehicle and if
necessary it should be taken to a garage as soon as possible (if it is an insured
event, services of authorised dealers (garages) only may be used).
• In the event of repairs and servicing (inter alia insured events), in order to
ensure the quality of work, services of authorised dealers (garages) should be
used.
• To follow the servicing schedule and perform the servicing in accordance with it.
• If the lease agreement stipulates a mileage limit, the lessor should be
notified immediately if it is exceeded.
* Passenger cars and commercial vehicles with GVW of up to 3.5 tons
3
Body
Normal Wear and Tear:
• Minor stone chips (metal or rust not visible) (Figure 1).
• Scratches in the varnish or paint layers and that can be repaired by polishing.
Maximum scratch length up to 10 cm (Figure 2).
• Even discolouration of the paint (wear caused by carwash brushes).
• Individual dents with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm or dent traces without paintwork
damage (Figure 3).
• Wear and tear around the door handles and that can be eliminated by polishing (Figure
4).
1
2
3
4
4
Body
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear:
• Individual dents or dent traces with a diameter over 1.5 cm (Figure 1).
• Scratches through the varnish or paint layers and that cannot be eliminated by polishing
(Figure 2).
• Traces left after removing stickers.
• The vehicle has not been duly renovated after an accident, i.e. damaged parts have not
been replaced or have been replaced with inappropriate parts: incomplete or negligent
condition of the vehicle (Figure 3).
• Damages caused by removing optional equipment (roof rack, flashing lights etc) (Figure
4).
• Corrosion.
• Damages caused by hail.
3
4
5
Aprons/Bumpers, Sills and Inlays
Normal Wear and Tear:

Minor damages and scratches through the varnish or paint layers (not
damaging the plastic) and that can be eliminated by polishing (Figure
1).
1
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear:



Damaged or missing decorative grilles, aprons/bumpers, mudflaps (Figures 2,3,4).
Broken license plate frame, license plate damaged severely.
Cracks, dents, deep scratches and deformations in sills and other decorative
elements (Figure 5).
2
3
4
5
6
Windows, Lights, Mirrors
Normal Wear and Tear:


Minor scratches in the outer surface of glass (from wipers or washing).
Minor scratches on windscreen and mirrors, mirror frames.
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear:






Damaged or broken wipers.
Cracks and major stone chips on the windscreen and other windows (Figure 1 and
2).
Cracked light glasses, fittings (Figure 3).
Broken or cracked windscreen.
Cracked or damaged mirrors, mirror frames (Figure 4 and 5).
Mechanic damages to tinted glass or protective film on glass (Figure 6).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Wheels and Tyres
Air pressure in tyres should be checked two times a year and the thread depth
should be checked. Also the condition of the spare wheel should be checked.
Normal Wear and Tear:

Tyre wear is in accordance with the mileage and complies with the roadworthiness
requirements.

Minor scratches on wheels and discs.
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear:



Major scratches and cracks in wheels and discs (Figure 1 and 2).
Deformations (cracks in wheels, deformed wheels, deformed tyres).
Missing parts (wheel cap, wheel screws/nuts, safety pin/screw, spare wheel/tyre)
(Figure 3).



Broken tyre (including spare wheel).
Uneven tyre wear.
Broken tyres (Figure 4).
1
2
3
4
8
Interior
Normal Wear and Tear:





Dirty, not cleaned interior.
Even discoloration, discoloured fabric, plastic and decorative trimming.
Scratches on door panels (Figure 1)
Minor wear around the ignition key hole (Figure 2).
Minor scratches on interior parts, not going through the upper layer and that can be
eliminated not replacing parts.
.
1
2
Damages not Caused by Normal Wear and Tear:





Fire damages.
Damages caused by fitting or removing optional equipment (Figure 4).
Damaged interior parts (plastics, fabrics, leather, wood, mats and sealing) or
missing parts (Figure 3 and 5).
Hardly removable stains, bad odour, animal wool, mould (Figure 6).
Damages caused by humidity.
3
4
5
6
9
Vehicle’s Condition Upon
Transfer
The mandatory safety equipment and other safety devices should be in
good working order and maintained appropriately.
Additional equipment:

Tyres, alloy wheels, original decorative sills, inlays, roof rack, trailer hook, safety
screws etc.

Second wheel and disc set (if included upon initial sale). Tyres must comply with the
roadworthiness requirements.

Audio system, its code card, code, removable front panel.

Tools, jack, wheel wrench.

Safety set (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, wedges, safety triangle).

Spare key, alarm control, immobiliser control (code).

Correctly completed service book, User Manual, registration certificate.

Spare wheel or tyre repair kit in good order.

Equipment according to manufacturer's specifications.
10
ANNEX 1 TO ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE (RECOMMENDED)
Make and model
License number
Odometer reading upon acceptance (km)
TECHNICAL CONDITION UPON ACCEPTANCE
A
B
Service interval exceeded by ....................................................km
C
Visual condition of body (please mark in figure)
Engine work and turning on
Interior
Seats
A-dent
Windscreen
Other windows
A- Excellent
Tyres
B- satisfactory
B-scratch
C-stone
impact traces
C-repairs required D- part missing
Wheels
To be replaced
Lights
E- part damaged
Mirrors
F- corrosion
Socket
Rear and front axles
Oil
Brakes
Leaks
Yes
No
Service book completed
Yes
No
Handbrake functional
Yes
No
Roadworthiness test to be passed
Yes
No
Dry-cleaning required
Yes
No
TPMLI valid
Yes
No
Polishing required
Yes
No
KASKO insurance valid
Yes
No
Optional equipment (make/model if available)
Stereo/CD player
CD changer
Winter tyres
Alarm/control (qty)
immobiliser
Summer tyres
Tools
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Safety triangle
Car phone/hands-free system
Trailer hook
Roof rack/skis rack
Extra lights
Alloy wheels .................. Ø
Keys (qty)
Speakers
Cruise control
DAMAGES
Used as taxi/rent car/driving training car
Yes
No
N/A
Former damages/accidents
Yes
No
N/A
No third persons have any rights to the vehicle
Yes
No
Warranty (valid till ...................................................).
Yes
No
What specific damages?
N/A
NOTES/SHORTCOMINGS/SPECIAL FEATURES
Transferred by
I confirm that the vehicle was transferred by me in the
condition described in the Acceptance Certificate.
Date of transfer and signature
Accepted by
I confirm that the vehicle was accepted
by me in the condition described in the Acceptance Certificate.
Date of acceptance and signature
LOUVAKT220409
Latvian Association of Authorised Car Dealers
Šmerļa iela 3, Room 273, Rīga, LV-1006
www.lpaa.lv
Published in cooperation with and upon consent from the Estonian Association of Car
Dealers and Service Companies and the Estonian Association of Leasing Companies