Leasing Issue

Simobag

Wonder if anyone can help with the following issue:
I'll try and keep this brief...Last year (Nov 08) my lease on an Audi A6 ended. As part of the handover process,
I had a letter dated 9 October 2008, from a company who had been appointed to undertake the inspection and collection of my vehicle on behalf of Volkswagen Finance. Despite the fact that I made myself and the vehicle available all week, nobody contacted me for an inspection. The next communication I had was regarding the collection, which eventually happened on the 29th Nov.
On collection, the car was given a spot check, and the mileage was noted . The only slight items that were noted were :1) Surface scratch – may polish & 2) Very Light stain –may valet out. You can imagine my shock when I subsequently received an invoice for £978.56 for ‘Refurbishment’ charges from Audi Finance.
At this point , I contacted the vehicle repatriation team at VW,and asked for a copy of the inspection report.They seemed surprised that I didn't have a copy. I told them the only report I had was done by the guy who collected the car.On further discussion, it would appear that a further inspection was carried out on the 3rd December. I was clearly NOT present at that inspection, and therefore did not have the chance to see the alleged damage, nor to agree that it was done under my tenure...and of course, that report is not signed by me. There was a period of 4 days after the car was collected when extra miles were put on the vehicle, and anything could have happened to it in that time. I dispute the damage they are alleging, as that car was in excellent condition.Can anyone advise as to whether or not they can legitamately pursue these charges when I was not present at the inspection?
Thanks in advance....

plane_boy2000

Presumably you have something that states mileage / condition at the point of collection. If the mileage is higher on their inspection report carried out after return then I would just send a letter to them rejecting their claim as the damage wasnt there upon collection.

I would also make sure that any direct debit you had in place has been stopped by your bank just in case they try to take it.

Simobag

Many thanks for the reply....I'd also been told much the same by another car dealership, so I feel a lot more confident now about telling them what to do with their charges!