Ford lease return. Skip the per-ding fee.

What Ford’s lease-end inspector actually charges for.

Ford Credit's wear standard tolerates very light wear but charges aggressively for dents on aluminum panels (F-150 hood + bed). F-150 leases especially — the aluminum bed gets dinged from cargo and the lessee usually doesn't notice.

Four questions Ford lessees ask.

• How much does Ford Credit charge for excess dents at lease end?

  Ford Credit typically charges $100–$400 per ding per dent above the wear-and-use threshold. Ford Credit's wear standard tolerates very light wear but charges aggressively for dents on aluminum panels (F-150 hood + bed). F-150 leases especially — the aluminum bed gets dinged from cargo and the lessee usually doesn't notice.

• Will paintless dent repair on my Ford show on Carfax?

  No — not for cash-pay PDR. Carfax records come from insurance claims and body-shop work involving paint or parts. PDR uses neither. If Mike repairs your Ford dent and you pay cash (no insurance), the repair doesn't generate any record Carfax indexes.

• How long does it take to fix dents on a Ford?

  F-150 hoods, beds, and tailgates have been aluminum since 2015. Mike glue-pulls these from the outside — same panel that takes an hour in steel takes 2-3 in aluminum. Worth doing pre-turn-in because the alternative is a $1,500-3,000 body-shop bill billed back to you. Most lease-return jobs run 1-2 days at the Bethlehem shop or mobile at your driveway. Mike writes you a quote within 24–48 hours when you text a photo.

• Should I fix small dents on my Ford or just pay the lease-end fee?

  The math almost always favors fixing them. Ford Credit's $100–$400 per ding per ding is more than PDR typically costs ($125-$300 per ding), AND PDR leaves no Carfax record AND your car retains higher residual value. Text Mike a photo and he'll give you an honest read on whether your specific dents are worth fixing pre-turn-in.