The Renta Norm 2026 is the standard used by leasing companies in Belgium to assess a vehicle’s condition upon return. It distinguishes between acceptable damage (normal wear and tear) and damage that will be charged back to the client.
The previous version dated from 2015. For ten years, corporate vehicle fleets have transformed fundamentally: electrification has exploded, ADAS systems have become standard, and vehicles have evolved into connected terminals storing personal data.
The 2026 update, developed by Renta in collaboration with 8 leasing companies from the federation, finally integrates these realities. This is not cosmetic adjustment—it is a complete overhaul.
Here is what every fleet manager, fleet coordinator, or HR/Compensation & Benefits manager needs to know.
1. Damage Thresholds Are No Longer a Catch-All
The 2026 norm clarifies what is acceptable, with precise physical thresholds and a progressive damage cap.
What Is Acceptable (Passenger Cars):
Scratched areas smaller than 8.5 x 5 cm (credit card size), scratches shorter than 8.5 cm in length, and dents smaller than 2 mm with no paint damage and smaller than a 2-euro coin (25 mm diameter) are considered normal wear and tear.
However: the number of acceptable damages is capped based on the vehicle’s age.
| Vehicle Age | Maximum Acceptable Damages |
|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 0 |
| 12 to 24 months | 4 |
| 25 to 50 months | 8 |
| Over 50 months | 12 |
What This Means in Practice: A brand-new leased vehicle returned after 11 months tolerates no damage, however minor. A 4-year-old vehicle can have up to 12 minor damages. Beyond these caps, even damages that comply with physical thresholds will be charged back.
For Light Commercial Vehicles, thresholds are logically more generous: acceptable scratches up to 17 cm (versus 8.5 cm for passenger cars), and scratched areas acceptable up to 2 credit cards (17 x 5 cm).
Practical Advice: A fleet manager overseeing staggered returns should plan the return of newer vehicles with extra care. A vehicle under one year old is zero-tolerance.
2. State of Health (SoH): The New Mileage Metric
This is the major innovation in this update. An entire chapter is now dedicated to the state of health of batteries in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
State of Health (SoH) indicates the battery’s residual capacity compared to its original capacity. An SoH of 90% means the battery retains 90% of its original capacity. This percentage directly impacts range and thus the vehicle’s residual value.
The norm now mandates charging hygiene rules:
- Keep the battery between 20% and 80% charge whenever possible
- Do not systematically recharge to 100% if the vehicle will not be used immediately
- Prioritize AC (alternating current) charging over DC (direct current) for daily use
- Immediately report any charging errors to an authorized repair service
Return Condition: Upon return of a leased EV, the battery must display a minimum charge level of 30% (SoC, State of Charge) AND a residual range of at least 100 km. If this is not met, the leasing company may charge inflated recharging fees plus handling fees.
What This Changes for Fleet Managers: SoH monitoring becomes a standalone fleet management metric, on par with mileage or fuel consumption. Companies that train drivers in proper charging practices protect their vehicles’ residual value and avoid unpleasant surprises at return.
For deeper insights on battery sustainability, consult our detailed analysis of the Geotab study (22,700 vehicles).
3. Private Data and Connected Vehicles
Modern vehicles are digital vaults. Phone directories, addresses, navigation histories, Wi-Fi passwords, connected applications (parking, dashcam, plug&charge)… all this information must imperatively be deleted before return.
The 2026 norm is explicit: the driver must perform a factory reset and delete all user profiles via the vehicle’s infotainment system. All connections between the vehicle and smartphone applications must be permanently severed.
If data remains at return, the leasing company may proceed with deletion and charge corresponding fees to the client.
Practical Advice: Integrate this step into your standard return procedure. A simple “pre-return” checklist sent to the driver 2 weeks before the scheduled return date can prevent unnecessary fees and data security risks.
4. Repairs: Authorized Garages Only
The norm reinforces a point often underestimated: all repairs must be performed by garages authorized by the lessor, even if the cost is the client’s responsibility.
Non-conforming repairs are not accepted. This includes paint color differences, dust residue, paint runs, poor surface preparation, or the use of inferior-quality parts.
For commercial vehicles, an additional point: dents caused from inside by improper load securing, with visible impact on the exterior, are not acceptable.
5. Windscreen and ADAS Sensors: The Sensitive Zone
With the generalization of ADAS systems (emergency braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control), the windscreen area becomes critical.
Acceptable: Small windscreen chips smaller than 25 mm, located outside the driver’s field of vision AND outside the field of vision of ADAS cameras and sensors. This is a double condition.
Not acceptable: Chips within the driver’s field of vision (even if repaired), chips within the ADAS sensor zone (even small ones), cracks or crack initiation.
Renta Recommendation: Repair small chips as quickly as possible through your leasing company’s authorized partners. Chips smaller than 25 mm are typically repairable without windscreen replacement.
6. What Hasn’t Changed (But Remains Overlooked)
A few useful reminders:
Mandatory Documents Upon Return: Registration certificate (both pages if post-September 2013), original certificate of conformity, service booklet, key passport, GPS memory cards, technical inspection certificates.
Lettering and Stickers: All lettering, films, and logos must be removed without traces. Removal costs, adhesive residue, or discoloration are the client’s responsibility (unless included in the rental contract).
Winter Tires: Vehicles returned during winter may be equipped with winter tires, but original rims must imperatively accompany the vehicle (mounted or dismounted).
7. Passenger Cars vs. Commercial Vehicles: Two Norms, Two Realities
The Renta Norm 2026 comes in two distinct versions: passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The main differences:
| Criterion | Passenger Cars | Commercial Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptable scratches | < 8.5 cm | < 17 cm |
| Acceptable scraped areas | 1 credit card (8.5 x 5 cm) | 2 credit cards (17 x 5 cm) |
| Specific interior damage | Standard wear | Includes loading area |
| Additional documents | — | Identification report, technical certificates (cranes, lifts) |
For Mixed Fleets: Ensure your fleet managers know both standards. A common error is applying passenger car thresholds to commercial vehicles (and vice versa).
Summary
The Renta Norm 2026 professionalizes lease vehicle return management in Belgium. For fleet managers, three priorities:
First, integrate battery SoH into fleet management KPIs and train drivers in proper charging practices.
Second, create a standardized pre-return procedure including data reset, document verification, and preliminary visual inspection.
Third, plan vehicle returns accounting for vehicle age and corresponding damage caps.
Hidden end-of-lease costs often result from lack of preparation, not from abusive use.
Want to structure vehicle return management in your fleet? Next Mobility supports Belgian companies in optimizing their mobility policy. Contact us to discuss.
Sources:
- Renta Norm 2026, Passenger Vehicles, Version 2026 (renta.be)
- Renta Norm 2026, Commercial Vehicles (B2B), Version 2026 (renta.be)
No, it serves as a reference guide. Each leasing company has its own contractual terms. However, in practice, it is the market standard in Belgium.
You can request a counter-assessment from an accredited expert. Never immobilise the vehicle pending resolution — storage costs will be added to the bill.
Only if a responsible third party is identified and a declaration has been filed. Otherwise, the cost falls on the driver.
Most manufacturers display SoH in the dashboard or their companion app. Ask your leasing company for periodic SoH reporting if it is not included as standard.
No. The limits on the number of acceptable damages do not apply to short-term rental vehicles.