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Mercedes-Benz Financial Services First Class Hassle-Free Lease-End Experience
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Let’s take a moment to quickly review what you can expect from your lease-end experience.
This guide provides a brief overview of the process, including information regarding your lease-end responsibilities and general vehicle condition guidelines. The process for returning your vehicle starts approximately four months prior to your lease maturity date and should include the following steps.
Prepare.
Get ready for vehicle turn-in.
Schedule Your Vehicle Pre-Inspection
Prior to turning in your leased vehicle, schedule your complimentary pre-inspection with the independent third-party inspection company. You choose the time and location that’s most convenient, including at home, at work, or another location of your choosing.
Visit www.AutoVINLIVE.com/Login to schedule online or contact MBFS at 800-873-5471 where a representative can provide assistance.
Review Pre-Inspection Results
Review your pre-inspection report available online at www.AutoVINLIVE.com. Then explore the option of repairing any excess wear and use items with your Mercedes-Benz dealer in advance of your expected vehicle return date. Please note, if you are replacing your off-lease vehicle with a new Mercedes-Benz, MBFS will credit your account for excess wear and use charges up to $500.
Return Your Vehicle
Contact us to schedule a day and time to return your vehicle.
Prior to returning your vehicle, be sure to detach your vehicle from your Mercedes me connect account. You can do so in the Mercedes me portal: https://me.mercedes-benz.com. Upon detachment, your vehicle will be removed from your Mercedes me account and all services will be deactivated. By removing the connection between you and your vehicle, this allows for a smoother transition into your new Mercedes-Benz vehicle. This detachment means that your vehicle is no longer tied to your account.
Lease-End Statement
Get your final lease-end statement in the mail or via your MBFS online account, detailing any charges incurred for mileage overages and/or excess wear and use. Charges will be based on the final, third-party vehicle inspection to be conducted at vehicle turn-in.
Assess.
Take a closer look.
Look your vehicle over before your pre-inspection using The Credit Card Test® and the vehicle condition guidelines that follow. Both will assist you in determining if your vehicle has incurred excess wear and use that you may be charged for at lease end. A self-assessment and the pre-inspection will help you conclude whether repairs may be necessary.
The Credit Card Test®
Use The Credit Card Test® to assess some of your interior and exterior damage. In general, if interior and exterior damage cannot be seen when a standard-size credit card is placed over it, you won’t be charged.
*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.
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
Torn seat
Large dent
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” 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
Bent Rim
Broken Rim
Scraped Rim
Exposed Cords
If you plan on replacing the tires on your vehicle, you should visit our Tire Center to locate the appropriate replacement tire for your model. Additionally, please note that if your vehicle came equipped with run-flat tires, the replacement tires must also be run-flats.
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 PILOT®s
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.
Section 179 of the I.R.S. tax code offers significant deductions on qualifying business vehicles.
Section 179 allows qualifying businesses to deduct up to the full purchase price of certain new or pre-owned vehicles, equipment and/or software purchased and placed into service during the tax year.
To qualify, the percentage of business use for the vehicle, equipment or software must be more than 50%.
*$27,000 tax deduction for qualifying vehicles based on current Section 179 of U.S. tax code and maximum deduction permitted for such vehicles under Section 179. Vehicle must be purchased for business use. Please consult your tax professional for more information on applicability of deduction and whether you qualify for the maximum amount available.
**$5,670 tax savings based on 21% federal corporate tax rate and eligibility to claim full $27,000 IRS Section 179 tax deduction for qualified vehicles. Your tax rate and eligibility may vary. Please consult a tax professional for more information on your federal tax rate and potential tax savings available to you for qualifying purchases. This information does not constitute, nor is it intended to be, legal, tax, financial planning or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.
Section 179 of the I.R.S. tax code offers significant deductions on qualifying business vehicles.
Section 179 allows qualifying businesses to deduct up to the full purchase price of certain new or pre-owned vehicles, equipment and/or software purchased and placed into service during the tax year.
To qualify, the percentage of business use for the vehicle, equipment or software must be more than 50%.
*$27,000 tax deduction for qualifying vehicles based on current Section 179 of U.S. tax code and maximum deduction permitted for such vehicles under Section 179. Vehicle must be purchased for business use. Please consult your tax professional for more information on applicability of deduction and whether you qualify for the maximum amount available.
**$5,670 tax savings based on 21% federal corporate tax rate and eligibility to claim full $27,000 IRS Section 179 tax deduction for qualified vehicles. Your tax rate and eligibility may vary. Please consult a tax professional for more information on your federal tax rate and potential tax savings available to you for qualifying purchases. This information does not constitute, nor is it intended to be, legal, tax, financial planning or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.
Section 179 of the I.R.S. tax code offers significant deductions on qualifying business vehicles.
Section 179 allows qualifying businesses to deduct up to the full purchase price of certain new or pre-owned vehicles, equipment and/or software purchased and placed into service during the tax year.
To qualify, the percentage of business use for the vehicle, equipment or software must be more than 50%.
*$27,000 tax deduction for qualifying vehicles based on current Section 179 of U.S. tax code and maximum deduction permitted for such vehicles under Section 179. Vehicle must be purchased for business use. Please consult your tax professional for more information on applicability of deduction and whether you qualify for the maximum amount available.
**$5,670 tax savings based on 21% federal corporate tax rate and eligibility to claim full $27,000 IRS Section 179 tax deduction for qualified vehicles. Your tax rate and eligibility may vary. Please consult a tax professional for more information on your federal tax rate and potential tax savings available to you for qualifying purchases. This information does not constitute, nor is it intended to be, legal, tax, financial planning or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.
Section 179 of the I.R.S. tax code offers significant deductions on qualifying business vehicles.
Section 179 allows qualifying businesses to deduct up to the full purchase price of certain new or pre-owned vehicles, equipment and/or software purchased and placed into service during the tax year.
To qualify, the percentage of business use for the vehicle, equipment or software must be more than 50%.
*$27,000 tax deduction for qualifying vehicles based on current Section 179 of U.S. tax code and maximum deduction permitted for such vehicles under Section 179. Vehicle must be purchased for business use. Please consult your tax professional for more information on applicability of deduction and whether you qualify for the maximum amount available.
**$5,670 tax savings based on 21% federal corporate tax rate and eligibility to claim full $27,000 IRS Section 179 tax deduction for qualified vehicles. Your tax rate and eligibility may vary. Please consult a tax professional for more information on your federal tax rate and potential tax savings available to you for qualifying purchases. This information does not constitute, nor is it intended to be, legal, tax, financial planning or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.
Every battery electric Mercedes-EQ model includes unlimited 30-minute complimentary DC fast charging sessions with Electrify America for 2 years, starting with the initial activation.
Complimentary 30-minute Fast Charging sessions are included with new vehicle purchase or lease for the first two years after account activation, exclusively on the Electrify America DC Fast Charging network. Charges may apply if the vehicle occupies the charging station for more than 30 minutes, or more than 10 minutes after reaching a full charge, whichever comes first. Charging on other networks may incur fees. Electrify America is a registered trademark of Electrify America LLC, which is a third party not within the control of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. Availability of, compatibility with, and access to the network depends on Electrify America and your location. For further information and limitations, and to learn more about where Electrify America network chargers are located, visit https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger/ or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Benefits are not transferable to other users or subsequent owners. Please note that these incentives can be combined with most, but not all, retail programs offered at the time of the transaction.
Every battery electric Mercedes-EQ model includes unlimited 30-minute complimentary DC fast charging sessions with Electrify America for 2 years, starting with the initial activation.
Complimentary 30-minute Fast Charging sessions are included with new vehicle purchase or lease for the first two years after account activation, exclusively on the Electrify America DC Fast Charging network. Charges may apply if the vehicle occupies the charging station for more than 30 minutes, or more than 10 minutes after reaching a full charge, whichever comes first. Charging on other networks may incur fees. Electrify America is a registered trademark of Electrify America LLC, which is a third party not within the control of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. Availability of, compatibility with, and access to the network depends on Electrify America and your location. For further information and limitations, and to learn more about where Electrify America network chargers are located, visit https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger/ or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Benefits are not transferable to other users or subsequent owners. Please note that these incentives can be combined with most, but not all, retail programs offered at the time of the transaction.
Every battery electric Mercedes-EQ model includes unlimited 30-minute complimentary DC fast charging sessions with Electrify America for 2 years, starting with the initial activation.
Complimentary 30-minute Fast Charging sessions are included with new vehicle purchase or lease for the first two years after account activation, exclusively on the Electrify America DC Fast Charging network. Charges may apply if the vehicle occupies the charging station for more than 30 minutes, or more than 10 minutes after reaching a full charge, whichever comes first. Charging on other networks may incur fees. Electrify America is a registered trademark of Electrify America LLC, which is a third party not within the control of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. Availability of, compatibility with, and access to the network depends on Electrify America and your location. For further information and limitations, and to learn more about where Electrify America network chargers are located, visit https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger/ or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Benefits are not transferable to other users or subsequent owners. Please note that these incentives can be combined with most, but not all, retail programs offered at the time of the transaction.
