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Looking after your Mercedes-Benz.

Looking after your vehicle throughout your agreement is important so you keep it running smoothly and avoid unnecessary costs if you return it.
 

This page shows you how to look after your vehicle, explains our Vehicle Return Standards, and walks you through the return process so you know exactly what to expect.

Find our helpful guides and resources below.

Vehicle damage.

Damage to your vehicle can happen, and we’re here to help.

We recommend if you notice any damage, warning lights or faults, to have these checked by a Mercedes-Benz Authorised Repairer as soon as possible. 

Helping you avoid unexpected charges.

Check your insurance policy to see what’s covered and make use of any additional cover you may have, such as alloy wheel protection.

You could be charged for repairs carried out incorrectly by a non‑authorised repairer or if non‑genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are used.
Customer and vehicle specialist inspecting damage on a white Mercedes-Benz car.
Find an Authorised Repairer

Repair and refurbishment costs.

Our Pricing Matrix gives you an indication of the costs for specific items if your vehicle needs repair or refurbishment.

You can ask your Mercedes-Benz Authorised Repairer for these costs at any time during your agreement, or we’ll let you know the cost after your vehicle is returned.
Technician inspecting the engine of a Mercedes-Benz car with the bonnet open.
Pricing Matrix

How to return your Mercedes-Benz.

On the day of collection, BCA will carry out a 45 minute to 1 hour-long inspection of your Mercedes-Benz against our Vehicle Return Standards. They’ll record:
 

  • Any damage to the vehicle 
  • Vehicle mileage
  • Any missing items


Please make sure your vehicle is clean and all items are returned, such as spare keys and the V5 (where applicable). For a list of commonly missed items, see our Vehicle Return Standards.

Bad weather, poor lighting conditions, or where your vehicle is parked may prevent BCA from completing the inspection. If this happens, they’ll complete the inspection at our defleet centre.
If no one is present to hand over your keys or your vehicle is not safe to drive, you'll be charged a cancellation fee of £200 plus VAT.

What to check before you return your Mercedes-Benz.

To make returning your vehicle as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a simple return checklist which you can find in our Vehicle Return Standards. This includes:

✓ Making sure your car is road legal, such as having a valid MOT.
 

✓ All tyres must have at least 1.6 millimetres of tread.
 

✓ Returning your Mercedes-Benz with the spare key and V5 (if applicable).
 

✓ Electric vehicles must have both cables (if applicable) and at least 80% charge.
 

✓ Cherished plate: If you wish to keep this, you’ll need to remove it before your return with the DVLA. Please allow 6 weeks to complete this process before returning your vehicle, to avoid any additional day charges.

Vehicle Return Standards.

Inspection and charges.

A full Vehicle Return Standard Inspection will be carried out shortly after you’ve returned your vehicle by trained technicians at our defleet centre.

If you have any end of contract charges, we’ll send you an invoice detailing the charges within 28 days of your vehicle being collected.

These may include:

  • Damage outside of our Vehicle Return Standards.
  • Excess mileage (the charge for going over your agreed mileage).
  • Additional days’ rental.
  • Missing items.

You’ll have 30 days to raise any queries or make the payment.

Customer walking past a parked red Mercedes-Benz car outside a Mercedes-Benz Showroom.
Find out more

Vehicle Return Standards at a glance.

FAQs

If you’re planning to return your Mercedes-Benz, your tyres must meet the guidelines set out in our Vehicle Return Standards.

To help you, here’s what you need to know before returning your vehicle.
 

  • The tyres should match the original specification, for example if your Mercedes-Benz was supplied with run-flats, it needs to be returned on run-flats.
  • The tyres must have a minimum tread of 1.6 millimetres across 75% of the tyre.
  • The tyres on each axle (front and rear pair) should match in brand, size and speed rating.


Accepted tyre brands include: Bridgestone, Pirelli and Michelin, Hankook, Yokohama and Avon.

For the full list of accepted tyre brands, see our pricing matrix.

Your agreement includes a total permitted mileage, based on the annual allowance set out at the start of your contract. It’s important to stay within this limit where possible.

If you do exceed it, you’ll be charged the agreed pence-per-mile rate (as stated in your contract) for every mile over the limit.
If your agreement ends early for any reason, your allowed mileage will be recalculated based on how long you had the vehicle:
 

  • We divide your annual mileage allowance by 12 to get a monthly allowance.
  • We then multiply this by the number of months you’ve had the vehicle.


This gives your revised mileage limit.

Excess mileage charges will apply to agreements from 1 January 2025 if you voluntarily terminate your contract.

To view your agreement, log in to the Mercedes-Benz Finance Portal and select “Documents.” If you need a copy, you can also contact us on 0370 847 0700 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, excluding bank holidays).

dlc, our specialist partner, is your main point of contact for end of contract charges. This covers things like damage outside our Vehicle Return Standards, missing service(s), excess mileage and charges for additional days rental. They also manage your invoice queries and take payments.

If you’re unhappy with how your vehicle was inspected, have any questions or disagree with any charges on your invoice, please get in touch using the details below:
Call: 0344 980 0185. They’re open Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm, excluding bank holidays

Email mbfsdefleet@dlcuk.com

Please have your agreement number and original vehicle registration number to hand.
Contact us.

You can call us on 0370 847 0700 or contact us via our online forms. Please have your agreement number to hand. We’re open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Independent support.

You may want to talk to someone outside of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK about your situation. For more information and a list or organisations and charities that provide free, confidential and impartial debt advice and support, please visit our Support Hub page.

Speaking to an independent advisor can help you understand your wider financial situation, and they can even help speak to lenders on your behalf. The most important thing is that you can seek help as early as possible whether from us, or independently. In asking for advice, your credit file will not be affected.

If you wish to keep your cherished plate, you’ll need to remove it before your return with the DVLA.

You can do this on the DVLA website or call them on 0300 790 6802. You’ll need your V5C registration document to hand.

Please allow 6 weeks to complete this process before returning your vehicle, to avoid any additional day charges.

For Contract Hire agreements

As we hold the V5C registration document, you’ll need to contact us to retain your cherished plate. The cost to retain your plate is £115.

Please call us on 0370 847 0700 or email us at fleetadministration@mercedes-benz.com and we’ll arrange for a retention pack to be sent to you.

If you choose to keep your private number plates, please make sure the original plates are back on the vehicle before collection. If they aren’t, you’ll be responsible for the cost of new plates and fitting.