Lease return: how to avoid fees with a proper cleanup
carl785 · Sep 6, 2026 · 3 min read
When a lease ends, the inspector looks at everything: interior cleanliness, stains, odours, paint condition. The 'reconditioning' fees charged by dealerships often run into the hundreds of dollars — sometimes more than a professional cleaning done in advance.
What the inspector checks
- Stains on seats and mats (coffee, food, pets)
- Persistent odours (smoke, moisture, pets)
- Crumbs and debris in crevices and the trunk
- General paint and wheel condition
- Salt and calcium marks on mats
The simple math
An interior + exterior package starts at $200. The cleaning fees imposed at return by the lessor are almost always higher — and you have no control over them. Getting the cleaning done yourself, at a professional of your choice, keeps you in control.
When to do it
Ideally 1 to 2 weeks before the return date: close enough that the vehicle stays clean, early enough to fix a detail if the pre-inspection flags something.
What we recommend
For a lease return, the interior + exterior package (from $200, about 1 to 2 hours) covers the essentials. If the paint has water spots or bonded contaminants, a decontamination can be added after evaluation. Chic Lave-Auto is at DIX30 in Brossard, by appointment: book online or call 450-486-4994. Details on /en/auto-detailing.