Fair Wear and Tear
Fair wear and tear is the line between normal use and chargeable damage. Every car ages a little as it is driven, and you are not expected to return a rental in showroom condition — only free of damage beyond what ordinary use would cause.
Light examples fall on the "fair" side: faint surface marks from washing, slight wear on the pedals or seats, tiny stone chips that come with motorway miles. These are part of running a car and are not billed back to you.
What crosses the line is damage that ordinary driving would not produce: dents, deep scratches, cracked glass, kerbed alloys, burns or stains inside, or anything mechanical you caused. These can be charged against your excess.
The grey area is exactly why pickup and return photos matter. A clear record of how the car looked when you took it is the fairest way to settle any disagreement about what counts as fair wear and what does not.
Related terms
Drop-Off Policy
The rules for where, when and in what condition the car must be returned at the end of the rental.
Excess (Deductible)
The maximum amount you pay out of your own pocket for damage or theft before the waiver covers the rest.
Vehicle Inspection
The check of the car’s condition at pickup and return, recording existing damage to settle who pays for what.