A guide which describes the acceptable condition of a light commercial vehicle at end of lease has been updated to recognise the heavy use most vans now experience.

The BVRLA says the updates to its Fair Wear & Tear Guide for LCVs follow feedback from BVRLA members, customers and auction houses. It produces similar guides for cars and for commercial vehicles.

It has also been updated to reflect the growing prevalence of electric vehicles on members’ fleets, it says.

Key changes are:

• Removal of reference to minibuses as these are now covered within the commercial vehicle guide 
• Removal of limits of number of dents and scratches within tolerance sizes  
• Increase to tolerance for scratches, from 25mm to 50mm  
• Windscreen and glass updated to match MOT standard, as in the BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Guide for Cars.

Amanda Brandon, BVRLA director of fleet services, said: “Vans have been the unsung heroes of the Covid pandemic and are now driving the recovery. They are in huge demand and short supply, so it is more important than ever that they are looked after. 

“Our clear and comprehensive LCV Fair Wear and Tear Guide ensures that these vital vehicles are properly managed through the lease and flexi-rental rental lifecycle and remarketed smoothly and swiftly onto their next user.”

In line with the revised format also used for the car and commercial vehicle versions, the new LCV guide now comes in two parts:

1. Information for drivers about how they can avoid end of lease charges, where they get advice on routine maintenance and servicing, tips on appraising the vehicle at end of lease, what they can expect on the day the vehicle is returned and how to complain if things go wrong.   

2. The BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear Standard, focusing on the condition of the vehicle upon return.

The guide is available to buy from the BVRLA online.