Liability for damage on a loaned vehicle

jaffy

I recieved an invoice for about £100 for repairs on a van I borrowed from a garage. I borrowed the van whilst my van was being looked at. The invoice states

Paint and materials; £49
Repair door and repaint as necessary; £40

I am just wondering if I am personally liable for any damage caused?

wealdroam

Was the van damaged while you were responsible for it?

Empty_pockets

Seems cheap.

If it was damaged in your possession you got a bargain.

sassy_one

Yes.

If you had the van at the time it was damaged, you are liable.

You would have signed/agreed to a legal binding contract with the hirer.

I remember hiring a Ford KA a few years back, when I parked it up it over night 2 wheel trims were stolen from it, when I returned it I advised them and lost £200 of my deposit as they brought them direct from a Ford Dealer and I was told they could not just buy one and had to buy a set plus a damage surcharge.

Turns out two other cars nearby were also damaged that night!

Your prices sound very cheap, so I wouldn't argue, mine was £200 years back, when the KA first came out.

jaffy

wealdroam wrote: »

Was the van damaged while you were responsible for it?

Yes. Although I cant be 100% sure I caused the damage that they said I have caused.

jaffy

sassy-one wrote: »

Yes.

If you had the van at the time it was damaged, you are liable.

You would have signed/agreed to a legal binding contract with the hirer.

I didnt sign anything. They just gave me the keys and said I could borrow it.

wealdroam

wealdroam wrote: »

Was the van damaged while you were responsible for it?

jaffy wrote: »

Yes. Although I cant be 100% sure I caused the damage that they said I have caused.

Your first (one word) sentence should give you the answer to your original question.

If it was your van that was damaged in similar circumstances, and you couldn't find who caused the damage, ask yourself who will have to pay for the repairs.

skiddlydiddly

If you really want to gt away with it then you can argue you weren't given the oppurtunity to inspect it and report any damage to them prior to driving it, either in person or on a check sheet.

Hintza

skiddlydiddly wrote: »

If you really want to gt away with it then you can argue you weren't given the oppurtunity to inspect it and report any damage to them prior to driving it, either in person or on a check sheet.

Was the OP forced into the car and told to drive? :rotfl:

skiddlydiddly

Hintza wrote: »

Was the OP forced into the car and told to drive? :rotfl:

Whenever I have used a hire vehicle I have had to visually inspect it for damage, noting any on a diagram and then sign for it.That way you don't end up being asked to pay for any previous drivers' damage.
If the OP wasn't offered this he could argue the damage was caused prior to him driving it.

Hintza

skiddlydiddly wrote: »

If the OP wasn't offered this he could argue the damage was caused prior to him driving it.

My point was that the OP should check the vehicle thoroughly before it turns a wheel regardless of whether they are offered that opportunity so that there is no misunderstanding.

I think the garage in this instance is being very fair as the standard price these days is £200-£250 per panel even for the smallest scratch.