I have a 2013 MINI Cooper S Hardtop and the lease will be up in a few months. As I understand it, "normal wear and tear" is acceptable. I'm wondering about the tire, though. They are near the point that they need replacing. Seems like normal wear and tear. In fact, it seems like the perfect example of what wear and tear is. But, it's such an expensive thing that I could see them WANTING to say they can charge me for that. Does anyone know about this? Part of me is thinking if they can charge me for that, it's almost part of the business model in the lease as a 3 year old MINI will almost certainly be at that point and they virtually guarantee getting to resell a car with brand new tires.
Thanks
Mike

 

From experience, they will charge you to replace worn tires. Ecounterd this with one of the tires on a Cooper we leased a few years ago.

 

Maybe, maybe not. If they pass a safety inspection, they might leave you alone.

 

They used a depth gauge; the limit being 1/8" of tread. Anything less meant the tire needed to be replaced.