I’m approaching the end of my first lease in early January and will be doing the inspection in the next month or 2 on my wife’s Nissan Rogue. I was going over the contract and it said for tire condition, that they had to have at least 6/10ths tread across the face of the tire, and that they have to be the same brand and model of tire that came on the vehicle originally.
My question is how closely does the inspector adhere to those inpspection rules. The tires are pretty worn, two tires are probably at 3-5/10ths, and the other 2 are at 5-6/10ths consistently across the face of the tire except one specific tire has some additional wear on one shoulder of the tire that is down to probably 2/10 for a narrow portion right on the edge of the tire (my wife must be hitting those exit ramp clover leafs hard!). If we planned on keeping the car I would DEFINITELY be putting new tires on it for winter here, but since we turn it in in 10 weeks I’m wondering what I can get away with. How closely do they inspect the tire wear? Are they really going to ding me on my inspection if I put another name brand or model tire on the vehicle (I can get 2 of the OEM tires for $125 or 4 tires for $240, but I can get other models of tire for a bit cheaper). The car is otherwise immaculate.
Get the inspection done. They will let you now what needs to be fixed and also give you a cost of turning in the car without new tires. Sometimes it’s not worth putting on tires, Nissan may do it cheaper
the rules are the rules for a reason…they will adhere to them. They will not cut you a break cause you’re a nice guy, or you’re on the edge of failing. If you’re contractually obligated to return something in a certain condition, they can and will charge you if you don’t.
That said, I’ve never heard of NMAC charging for tires under 4/32nds remaining. NMAC even lists 4/32nds in their lease return guide (1/8 = 4/32). Likewise, tire brand has never mattered…just that the tires meet or exceed OEM SPECS only.
I’d be very interested in seeing this jargon in your contract. I suppose you may have went with a different leasing bank outside of NMAC, which might make a difference in regard to what they want when you return it.
