White Mercedes-Benz CLA driving down the road

First Class Finish: Lease Return Options

At the end of your Mercedes-Benz lease term, you have two options. You may either return your vehicle or purchase it.

Silver Mercedes-Benz GLC driving over a bridge

Return Your Vehicle

You can return your vehicle at the end of your lease and choose another brand-new Mercedes-Benz model to lease instead.

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Purchase Your Vehicle

If your vehicle is too good to let go, you can purchase it and skip returning your vehicle altogether.

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Preparing for the End of Your Lease

If you choose to return your vehicle, the process starts about four months prior to your lease end date. House of Imports is happy to assist you with the lease return process. There are only four simple steps you will need to follow.

Mercedes-AMG GT driving down the road

Lease-End Steps

  1. Step 1: Schedule Your Vehicle Pre-Inspection

    First, you will need to schedule a complimentary third-party inspection of your vehicle. This can be completed at a time and location that is most convenient to you, including at your home, at work, or any other location that best suites you.

    You can visit www.autovinlive.com/Login to schedule an appointment online or contact House of Imports for more information.

  2. Step 2: Review Pre-Inspection Results

    After you inspection is complete, you can review the results on www.autovinlive.com. If necessary, you will want to repair any excess wear and use that might have occurred during your lease to avoid any charges at lease-end.

  3. Step 3: Return You Vehicle

    After the vehicle inspection is complete, contact House of Imports to schedule a day and time to return your vehicle. Make sure to also disconenct your vehicle from your Mercedes me connect account. You can do so in the Mercedes me portal: https://me.mercedes-benz.com.

  4. Step 4: Lease-End Statement

    After returning your vehicle, you will get your final lease-end statement in the mail. This statement details any charges incurred for mileage overages and/or excess wear and use. These charges will be based on the final, third-party vehicle inspection that will be conducted at vehicle turn-in.

Assess the Condition of Your Vehicle

Prior to having your vehicle inspected, we suggest checking over it yourself and making any necessary repairs at House of Imports beforehand. This will ensure the third-party vehicle inspection and lease return process is as seamless as possible.

You can use The Credit Card Test® and the vehicle condition guidelines below to determine if your vehicle has incurred excess wear and use that you may be charged for at lease-end.

Mercedes-AMG GT front view

The Credit Card Test®

Not sure if you will be charged for that scratch or ding? Feel free to use The Credit Card Test® to assess your vehicle’s exterior damage. Generally speaking, if exterior damage cannot be seen when a standard size credit card is placed over it, you won’t be charged.*

Interior & Exterior

The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:

  • Holes, cracks, gouges, tears, or cuts in the sheet metal or bumper, regardless of size
  • Dents that are larger than the size of a credit card
  • Scratches that are through the paint and larger than the size of a credit card
  • The sixth and each subsequent scratch per panel that is through the paint and smaller than the size of a credit card
  • Tears, cuts, holes, or burns to the interior, regardless of size
  • Damaged safety items, regardless of size (e.g., torn seat belts)
  • Glass or lights that have cracks, stars, holes, or plugs (a star is a chip with one or more legs, and a plug is considered unsafe for vehicles with supplemental restraint systems)
  • Collective damage, regardless of size, that is caused by a single event (e.g., hail damage)

Large fender scratch on Mercedes-Benz

Large fender scratch


Torn seat in Mercedes-Benz

Torn seat


Large dent on Mercedes-Benz

Large dent


Star in windshield

Star in windshield



Tires & Rims

The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:

  • Wheels that are cracked or bent
  • Wheels that weren’t originally equipped with the vehicle at the time of delivery (upgraded aftermarket wheels installed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership are acceptable)
  • Rims that are bent or have breaks (regardless of size)
  • Tires with less than 1/8″ (or 4/32”) tread depth
  • Tires that have sidewall damage (which includes plugs and cuts), bulges, or exposed cords
  • Tires that are mismatched: Tires on each axle that are not the same size, brand, model, type and/or speed rating, and equivalent in quality and performance to the original tires
  • Spare tire and rim (or inflation kit for those vehicles without a spare tire) that are missing or not in operable condition

Broken rim on Mercedes-Benz vehicle

Broken rim


Dented rim on Mercedes-Benz vehicle

Dented rim



Mechanical & Electrical

The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:

  • Maintenance specified by the manufacturer has not been performed and documented
  • Warranty repairs have not been completed

Aftermarket Modifications

The following vehicle conditions will result in excess wear and use charges:

  • The vehicle’s factory-installed parts are not present, are damaged, or are in poor working order
  • Third-party aftermarket alterations have not been restored to their original condition
  • Changes to vehicle color or the addition of non-factory paint schemes
  • Damage caused by parts and accessories removal

Missing Parts

Prior to turn-in, be sure to remove all personal items from the vehicle, complete all scheduled maintenance, and ensure all originally equipped items (if applicable) are returned with your vehicle. These items include, but are not limited to:

  • Second key
  • DVD system
  • Remote controls
  • Headphones for entertainment system(s)
  • Becker MAP PILOTs
  • Navigation disc or SD card
  • Headrests
  • Cargo cover
  • Tool kit
  • Spare tire

Mileage Provisions

If your mileage is over the maximum number of miles allowed on your Lease Agreement (plus any additional miles purchased midterm), an excess mileage charge will be assessed at vehicle return. Refer to your Lease Agreement for the per-mile rate.


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*The Credit Card Test® does not apply to any of the following: damage to windshields, lights, wheels, tires, exterior cracks, gouges, holes in the sheet metal, collective damage, tears, cuts, holes, or burns to the interior.