Fleets and dealers
What should you check when returning or receiving a leased vehicle?
Before returning a leased vehicle, or when receiving a new or used one, it is worth scanning it for codes, checking the readiness monitors and the battery, noting the mileage and documenting the exterior with photos. A signed, dated scan gives you objective data if there are disagreements later about faults or mileage.
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
What do I check before returning it?
The trouble codes of every control unit that responds and the dashboard warning lights: anything lit at return may end up on the final bill. If something shows up, decide with your shop whether to repair it first, depending on your contract.
The readiness monitors, the battery voltage and the mileage. And outside the diagnostics, damage, tires, interior, keys and paperwork, with dated photos.
And when receiving a vehicle?
The same scan at handover tells you what it starts with: earlier faults, monitors, battery and the mileage each control unit stores. If something does not add up, it is noted at handover rather than argued about later.
For a used vehicle, a pre-purchase report also flags recent code clears and mileage that does not match between control units.
Which document helps me?
A dated diagnostic report from a shop, together with the photos and the handover or return record. The Diaglana pre-purchase report is signed and carries a QR code that anyone can check.
It does not replace the leasing company's damage inspection or what your contract says: it complements them with what the control units answered.
What do I do with the diagnostic device?
If the vehicle had an ECO-LITE, unplug it before returning the vehicle and move it to the new one, or transfer it to another organization from Transfers and warranty.
Holding the button for 20 seconds forgets the saved Wi-Fi networks before you use it in another vehicle.
The devices are in pre-production or presale: figures may be adjusted after validating the first units. Whether a given tool, program or make works depends on that tool, program or make.
Read more
On this site
- Buying a used car: the pre-purchase report from its ECUs
- Fleet remote diagnostics: decide before you take a vehicle off the road
- Will your car pass its MOT or inspection with the engine light on?
Step-by-step guides
Solutions
The devices to do it
With an ECO-LITE, a shop that works with Diaglana reads the vehicle and issues the signed report with its QR code; the device then moves on to the next vehicle in the fleet.
ECO-LITE · Presale price: €129 · US$129. No subscription.
Presale: no stock and no delivery date yet. Reserve your unit in the shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be charged for faults when returning a lease?
It depends on your contract: many companies inspect the condition and bill for damage or missing items. Scanning the vehicle beforehand lets you decide with data.
Does the report count as evidence?
It is a signed, dated document describing what the control units answered. Its weight in a dispute depends on the contract and the case.
Can I leave the device in the returned vehicle?
Better not: unplug it and use it in another vehicle or transfer it.