Lease return excess wear & tear

[marsarbu]

This is eye opening stuff. My lease is 36 months and 10k miles per year. I’m already at 8,500 miles after 8 months, so I’m on pace to be over. To make matters worse, I just accepted a new job and for the first time in a decade, I’ll have a commute. This commute will add about 8k miles per year to what I already do. I’ve resigned myself to just buying the car outright at or near lease end. Seems like that’s the best bet to avoid crazy fees.

Similarly, my wife’s XC40 lease ends in March 26. Based on residual and current private sale values, I think we’re going to buy it, also. We may only keep it another year but at least we won’t get crazy charges for the scratch on the trunk or the curb rash on two wheels

But you might have to buy it for a residual value that is out of whack with the used market value. So you might be in for a 5-digit difference.

 

[JGard18]

But you might have to buy it for a residual value that is out of whack with the used market value. So you might be in for a 5-digit difference.

Yeah I’ll see what the landscape is at the time. My residual is $49k (touring with SSP MSRP of like $92k). I know I’ll owe about $8k on miles alone. If my car remains trouble free, I’d rather just buy it if the overall difference is minimal. I do love this car.

 

[audiojerry]

They are opening a case for me, and I am told they will call me back today or tomorrow.

Have you heard back yet? Any news to share?
Much appreciated.

 

[kort6776]

Yeah I’ll see what the landscape is at the time. My residual is $49k (touring with SSP MSRP of like $92k). I know I’ll owe about $8k on miles alone. If my car remains trouble free, I’d rather just buy it if the overall difference is minimal. I do love this car.

if you pay the 8k for miles it is money down the drain. I was in the same situation once and I did buyout the lease and while I did loose a bit when I traded the car in it was not as much as I owed on the overage. the only with the lucid is that few if any other car dealership are willing to take a lucid in trade so you'd need to find a private buyer. I am near the end of my lease and a BMW dealer flat out said that he had no interest in taking my air GT with less than 9k miles on it. if it was any other car brand they would have jumped all over the deal, YMMV

 

[JGard18]

if you pay the 8k for miles it is money down the drain. I was in the same situation once and I did buyout the lease and while I did loose a bit when I traded the car in it was not as much as I owed on the overage. the only with the lucid is that few if any other car dealership are willing to take a lucid in trade so you'd need to find a private buyer. I am near the end of my lease and a BMW dealer flat out said that he had no interest in taking my air GT with less than 9k miles on it. if it was any other car brand they would have jumped all over the deal, YMMV

Yeah at this point, I love the car and would not mind keeping it for a while. I’ve had too much car ADHD over my ~30 years driving, it’s time to slow it down. Even if I’m technically upside down on the overall value, I don’t really mind, I love this car

 

[SkmWA]

Good to hear. Keep us informed.
I’ve returned my leased Air this week as well and am awaiting their assessment. But I documented the car photos and video, inside and out, and it’s perfect. No curb rash, dings, scrapes, or glass issues.
What’s nice is that at turn in the Lucid person at milbrae did a walk around and showed on the turn in paper that there is no damage anywhere. Let’s see if it goes through their third party leasing inspectors as easily.
I’m awaiting deciding on a new Lucid depending on how this lease end process goes.

Yes please keep us informed. I am in the same situation...

 

[L-Dude]

Yeah at this point, I love the car and would not mind keeping it for a while. I’ve had too much car ADHD over my ~30 years driving, it’s time to slow it down. Even if I’m technically upside down on the overall value, I don’t really mind, I love this car

You could be $10k-$15k upside down on that lease, which would make paying the $2k for excess mileage a good deal. Keep in mind that you're probably paying around $1/mile for the original lease, so $.25/mi is actually a bargain.

 

[dapellegrini]

I never heard back from Lucid. Yesterday I got another "collections" letter from them on the excessive wear & tear charges, so I called back today. I'm on a second long hold, after being disconnected on my first attempt. The first person I spoke with told me that my ticket is still open, but customer care cannot help me, and was trying to forward me on to financial services - which did not sound promising.

Will update after the call.

 

[dapellegrini]

Very long hold times today. I signed up for a call back on my second attempt.

I explained to the Customer Care person this time around that I am disputing the Excess Wear and Tear charges, and I would like someone in management to review the 3rd party inspection report, and confirm that Lucid agrees with these damage claims and charges. That is what my "ticket" is for. I am happy to discuss the details, but really just want a yes/no - essentially giving Lucid an opportunity to make this right.

They told me that they cannot help with this, and have now escalated this back to "sales" to call me back.

 

[fisheral]

What a disaster of a return process.

 

[pjdcorp]

Hi all. I was a happy lessee of a 2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring. Great car. I just turned it in last week, after a short 18 month lease. Today I received my lease end bill. Curious what the crowd here thinks of these Lease Turn in fees... I've leased many luxury cars, and this is the first time I have seen what I would call petty / minor wear listed as Excessive Wear and Tear. Perhaps I need to adjust my expectations going forward?

First we have the windshield, which apparently has 3 very small chips from rocks. See three images attached of the "Excessive Wear and Tear" on the windshield. The charge $1,450. I have full glass coverage and if the windshield was truly cracked or damaged my insurance replacement would have been free. I am not sure though that anyone would call this true damage that merits either repair or replacement?

Then there are two photos of what looks like the passenger sun visor - "Left interior Qtr Trim Broken", for $375. I honestly don't even see what they are trying to show in the photos.

Total bill for Excessive Wear and Tear: $1,825.

I've asked for someone from Lucid to call me back and explain these charges to me. When I turned the car in, none of these were pointed out. I was not given an opportunity to remedy them. And honestly. IMO these seem very petty.

I doubt I will have any recourse, other than to pay their bill. I will update this thread with the final outcome once I hear back.

Have you considered Safelite as an option for the small windshield chips? I had a small chip on my Air & they did a great job, it's now invisible & insurance paid the $60 cost. It sounds like your bill for the windshield is very safe - in that if it falls on the floor it won't break because it's so well padded.

 

[dapellegrini]

I have full glass coverage with Safelite through USAA. I was not given the opportunity to have the tiny pock marks addressed. It was not an issue when I turned in the car.

 

[wa_lucid]

The experiences here, and in other threads, demonstrate that Lucid and/or Lucid Financials, have outsourced the process of lease return inspection and collections to a third rate loan-shark style company and handed them the reigns in dealing with its customers.

They can - and should - fix it. They can also ignore it, and risk the consequences. I wouldn't if I were them, it alienates their biggest die hard fans.

 

[borski]

The experiences here, and in other threads, demonstrate that Lucid and/or Lucid Financials, have outsourced the process of lease return inspection and collections to a third rate loan-shark style company and handed them the reigns in dealing with its customers.

They can - and should - fix it. They can also ignore it, and risk the consequences. I wouldn't if I were them, it alienates their biggest die hard fans.

I can assure you they aren’t ignoring it (I’ve gotten confirmation on that from a few folks) but that’s all the information I have. I don’t know if or when they will address it.

I agree it’s not good.

 

[Batteryman]

Wo

The three batteries definitely don't cost $375. They might be trying to make the case that even with new batteries it is broken, and they have to replace the entire visor. But I have no idea - I'd ask for clarification on that one too.

I'd have gotten those rock chips filled, but I agree that seems excessive. I'd also push back on this.

Wouldn’t visor be covered under warranty?

Chips are normal wear, you shouldn’t be charged for that.

 

[kort6776]

The experiences here, and in other threads, demonstrate that Lucid and/or Lucid Financials, have outsourced the process of lease return inspection and collections to a third rate loan-shark style company and handed them the reigns in dealing with its customers.

They can - and should - fix it. They can also ignore it, and risk the consequences. I wouldn't if I were them, it alienates their biggest die hard fans.

FWIW: many manufacturers use third party inspection companies. Lucid "sells" the car to bank of america who is probably the driver of the return process. lucid is really out of the picture.
what I am taking away is that when turning in the car you should make a video of the entire car and take many pictures of the car in order to have proof of damages or lack of damages.
the OP is in a tough spot because it has already gone to collections.
the one time I had a debt go to collections the collection company sued me over a $5k+ debt I hired an attorney and she got a settlement before heading into the courtroom. the settlement was $100. and removal of the collection from my credit record. I paid the $100 and the lawyers fee and the case was over. OP might consider doing something like this rather than wasting time chasing ghosts at B of A

 

[borski]

Chips are normal wear, you shouldn’t be charged for that.

Glass chips are not considered normal wear.

 

[OutrightPace]

For what it's worth, I just returned my leased 2023 Pure and received a bill for $200 in excess wear, even though the pre-return inspector told me the car was essentially perfect. Also, I had $1200 in mileage overage charges, which I expected. Seeing as I immediately leased another Air, I believe most manufacturers would have forgiven these charges, but not Lucid with its BoA setup. Still, compared to some stories here, I feel I got off lightly.

Another surprise I encountered was that AutoPay automatically shuts off prior to the last payment of the lease, which was confirmed to me after the fact by the BoA representative I spoke to. Luckily I caught this one day after the lease ended, but already my account had been turned over to collections.

I agree with the sentiments expressed here that Lucid needs to address how BoA is handling this process. Big end-of-lease charges, immediate involvement of collections departments, and general financial strong-arming are not certainly not methods of creating customer satisfaction.

 

[radioactive]

Hello, I did start a new thread but wanted to see if any one here has a opinion
My lease is ending in two weeks. I got into a fender bender today. Rear trunk, Light strip and bumper are all broken/Cracked. Car is still drivable but wanted to see how this will work. The lease return is in two weeks, I am sure I can get it repaired before that. Should I return the car with the damage and get the final bill from Lucid anf submit to my Insurance or Do I have to do any thing else? I have all the paper work, Its at fault by other party since they rear ended me. So I am not worried about insurance for now until they contest. Will Lucid deal with the insurance directly or I have to deal with it. Any advice?

 

[HC_79]

Hello, I did start a new thread but wanted to see if any one here has a opinion
My lease is ending in two weeks. I got into a fender bender today. Rear trunk, Light strip and bumper are all broken/Cracked. Car is still drivable but wanted to see how this will work. The lease return is in two weeks, I am sure I can get it repaired before that. Should I return the car with the damage and get the final bill from Lucid anf submit to my Insurance or Do I have to do any thing else? I have all the paper work, Its at fault by other party since they rear ended me. So I am not worried about insurance for now until they contest. Will Lucid deal with the insurance directly or I have to deal with it. Any advice?

Damn! What bad timing, that really sucks. You better call Lucid Financial Services and see how they want it handled. I wouldn’t even know where to start with that because my natural instinct would be it’s got to be fixed before returning but the repair could take 2 to 3 months.