Lease Return with Tire/Rim Damage

Ask the Hackrs
1

Hello,
I have a lease return due at the end of the month for my wife’s 2020 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD. Just got back the end of lease inspection report. Only noted damage was a scratch on the bumper and side panel that they estimate $96 in repairs which is fair. When it comes to the tires and rims, the report says I need 2 new tires (worn below acceptable) and 3 new rims for “gouged”. Now there is some curb rash on the rims but nothing too major. They estimated total for 2 new tires and 3 rims at ~$2300 dollars, ($262 per tire and $596 per rim.
I do not have any tire/rim protection (i know, I know). I am not looking to lease/finance another Honda due to market adjustments way over MSRP in NYC/LI. I would be interested in financing another car, possibly a Mazda CX-5 CE but might not be able to do it before the lease expires.
Do I have any recourse to lower the bill?

  1. Buy used tires on Ebay and replace the ones listed prior to turn int?
  2. Buy used factory rims and replace them prior to turn in?
  3. Have to eat this expensive bill and use it as a lesson?
  4. See if any dealer is willing to buy out the car without me having to pay any money?
    If I can get replacement tires an/or rims cheaper, would the car need to be re-inspected or how would I prove the tires/rims were fixed/replaced so I dont get charged the full price?
    The car was leased through CULA/Bethpage FCU with a residual value of $27523.60 if this helps?
    Edit to add it was a 3/36 lease and I’m at 36500 miles now.
2

Option 4b - Sell to the dealer and walk away with a fat check. Honda’s are worth more than RV usually.

1 Like
3

You didnt need any protection plan. You can do all that for way less than the $1,500 that the average protection plan costs.

Google/yelp for a reputable tire & wheel shop near you. You shouldn’t be paying much above Tirerack.com prices for the tires and curb rash repair should be $100-150 per rim.

Contact the lessor about what pics or receipts they need to prove this was done

4

Look on Facebook marketplace in your area.

Oem wheels are usually pretty cheap and often come with tires too? (On forums or Facebook marketplace)

5

This might be one of those instances where documents such as retail receipts are just as important as the actual act of repair or replacement.

6

I see what you’re doing there :laughing:

7

There’s some equity or at the very least you’d break out even, I’d pursue carmax and the like for bids on the car. Retail good deal is $33k on carguru’s listings i looked at. Then you don’t have to mess with fixing anything

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