charged for car hire damage that we didn't make

[douka]

My husband hired a car from a well known but cheap car hire company at Southampton airport. We've just been charged £167 for damage that we didn't do. :D

They don't have a presence at the airport, so you have to phone their office to let them know that you have delivered the car back to the short stay bit at the airport car park. We delivered it back as instructed and rang them to let the know it was there. We dropped the keys off at another car hire desk from where our car hire company would pick them up from. There was no one there to check around the car, nor did they say they would send anyone to do it in front of us.

We've now been sent this bill and the damage could have been done after we left the car, or it might not have been done at all as the checking was done by the company after we left the car off. They've told us it was two small scratches on the front grill and a small dent and scratch on the bodywork above. In any case what a rip off charging us £167 anyway!

Can we do anything to challenge this and are we landed with this bill now? Can we get a second opinion on the damage?

I'd really appreciate anyone's advice.

[dzug]

Remember the charge include rental for the days the car is off the road having the repairs done so is not in itself excessive.

Assuming they are done that is.....

[Wig]

Did you get it inspected when you picked it up? Was there someone with you with a clipboard then?

If not, I don't see how they can prove it was done whilst in your possession. And you should tell them it was not you and ask how they intend to prove it was done wholst in your possession as no mutual checks have been carried out.

Beware if you paid by card that they don't just debit the card of the amount they require. then you will have to fight them to get it back.

[steveo3002]

alot of cheapie no name rental companys try it on ....they must get alot of extra ££ that way

[Wig]

A word to the wise (is that the right expression) if you hire a vehicle, take photos as you inspect it during the pre hire inspection. Always look hard at everything. check the lights all work, and tyres for tread, spare wheel.

[Conor]

I once did a job for a car hire firm collecting cars from different depots and shifting them to the main depot.

The way they scrutinise the cars when we brought them in was unreal. Every little thing. I was thankful that I was working for them, not someone de-hiring a car.

Make sure that when you hire it, walk round with their staff and note every single little scratch, scrape, stonechip and ding no matter how small and insignificant it may appear.

Sadly, Wigs suggestion isn't good enough as a camera doesn't show enough detail and certainly doesn't show "ping" dents.

[runsimonrun]

We rented a small van (car really) from SIXT, but actually collected the van from Rabbit. We returned it 3.5 hours later. 40 days, yes 40 days later we noticed a bill of over £200 on our credit card. We had no idea what it was. After phoning the credit card company we were informed that it was a bill from SIXT for damage to the vehicle. They did not tell us there was damage, it was checked the following morning not in our presence, a report was filled in by Rabbit and thats it - a fee to pay, No contact with us, no notification of any kind. After going to Rabbit and arguing for the best part of an hour. Looking at photographs where no damage good be seen they agreed to refund the money. On the initial check, before we took it away, it was noticed that there were scratches. These scratches had 'grown' into a dent by the next day, albiet slightly below the original scratches. We even left the hire company with about £30.00 worth of fuel. If you hire a car photgraph every panel, under all the cars edges. Bring a cloth to wipe any dirt thay may hide a mark. Discuss every little hairline mark. CHECK THE TYRES. It sounds silly but it could save you a lot of money. This has SCAM written all over it.

[trets77]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/your_say/article713476.ece

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/your_say/article2869815.ece