Damage vs fair wear & tear

We know knocks and scrapes are inevitable when you're teaching new learners. But it's important to know the difference between everyday wear and tear and more significant damage, which you could be charged for. So, make sure to read on for our detailed guide.

If there’s any damage that occurs during your agreement, please report it using our Digital Claims Assistant.

What is wear and tear?

This is the natural deterioration that occurs over time due to regular use. This is expected when your car will be driven extensively by you and your pupils. Wear and tear might include:

• Worn brake pads
• Wear to the clutch
• Tyre tread loss
• Minor scuffs to the interior

While this is unavoidable to a degree, you can slow down the process with routine maintenance of your vehicle.

We follow the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) wear and tear standard. The AA Driving School Tuition Vehicle Handbook also outlines how you are required to maintain and return your car at the end of your franchise.

But essentially, wear and tear includes anything which is not considered as damage, as outlined in the AA Driving School damage evaluator (as detailed below).

What is damage?

Damage is defined as unexpected harm which occurs as a result of a specific event or series of events. An event can include (but isn’t limited to): damage as a result of an impact, inappropriate stowing of items, negligent acts or omissions. Unlike wear and tear, damage is sudden and usually requires immediate repair. More information can be found in your AA Driving School Tuition Vehicle Handbook.

The AA Driving School damage evaluator uses the following diagram as a guide to the size of damage:

 

Body damage is:

• Any dent that exceeds the largest circle
• Any scratch or scrape which is both through the paint and exceeds the largest circle
• Holes and tears to the body of the car, regardless of size

Glass damage is:

• A star or crack anywhere on the windscreen or other glass which is larger than the dotted circle on the damage evaluator
• A star or crack smaller than the 5mm centre circle if it appears within Zone A of the windscreen

Chips can spread quickly, so it’s important to contact us for a repair before they spread further. Once they turn into a crack the windscreen will need to be replaced.

 

Alloy wheel damage is:

• Any structural damage (crack, gouge or dent)

Bumper damage is:

Scratches and scuffs that cannot be completely covered by the 50mm outer circle of the damage evaluator, which includes:

• Holes or tears regardless of size
• Dents larger than the largest circle
• Any misalignment

Note that scrapes to the bottom edge of the bumper aren't considered to be damage, as this may have been caused by a parking block.

Burn damage is:

• Any hole or burn mark on the car’s interior, larger than the centre 5mm circle

If there’s any damage that occurs during your agreement, please report it using our Digital Claims Assistant. Alternatively, you can notify the AA Accident Management team on 0330 159 80 70 (option 2).