Unfair end of lease damage recharge

Johnycuban

Hi there I returned my three lease vehicle at the end of September and as I have had lease cars for many years was aware of the recharge guidelines issued by the BVRLA.

I have since been sent a recharge notice amounting to almost £700 I have agreed with elements of it as I was expecting these.

They have sent me very low resolution images of the areas that I am disputing, when I say low res they are less than 30kbs in size!!

They are "showing" rippled finish which is not visible the pictures. I have asked for high res images and they are unable to provide these as they are the only ones they have.

I have advised that I would like to pay for an independent inspection as per the BVRLA guidelines and they have advised that the car has been sold!

My contact has escalated it in their business but what is my legal standpoint on this, the images show nothing can I just refuse to pay it?

thanks in advance

albionrovers

I'm not sure of your answer, sorry, but can I ask which car dealer it was? Was it Mercedes?

colino

I'm curious at your bargaining position. It was "your" car for three years so what difference does the quality of picture make. If they say the paintwork/body was rippled on x panel, you would either say, Oh yeah, I remember now I had a bit of bodywork done and it didn't come our perfectly, or you would simply disagree and say the car didn't have any such damage at all!

AlexisV

I have since been sent a recharge notice amounting to almost £700 I have agreed with elements of it as I was expecting these.

Either put in writing what you agree and disagree with and make an offer.

If they were daft enough to try a court claim over £300 or whatever, the onus would be on them to prove their case. This would not be easy with no decent photos and no car.

The alternative would be to disagree with everything and pay them nothing. If there is damage, how on earth could they have sold the car so quickly?

Johnycuban

colino wrote: »

I'm curious at your bargaining position. It was "your" car for three years so what difference does the quality of picture make. If they say the paintwork/body was rippled on x panel, you would either say, Oh yeah, I remember now I had a bit of bodywork done and it didn't come our perfectly, or you would simply disagree and say the car didn't have any such damage at all!

Hi thanks for taking the time to respond but you clearly have no experience of this issue.

Johnycuban

AlexisV wrote: »

Either put in writing what you agree and disagree with and make an offer.

If they were daft enough to try a court claim over £300 or whatever, the onus would be on them to prove their case. This would not be easy with no decent photos and no car.

The alternative would be to disagree with everything and pay them nothing. If there is damage, how on earth could they have sold the car so quickly?

Thanks for your advice.

colino

If you did have any experience of fleets you would have taken pictures of your car (and the car collector). You'd be amazed of the number of cars that have been abused when out on long term hire or lease and then are returned after a £3 car wash and a quick flick of colour magic hoping to get their good condition bonus.

Hintza

My last lease car the collection driver managed to note a stone chip or a pin !!!!! on the paint on about every panel, I really did think they were taking the pith a bit but fortunately the charge wasn't too bad and they missed the ding on the bonnet (which was the one I was worried about) where a slate had come off a roof and landed on it.

Johnycuban

colino wrote: »

If you did have any experience of fleets you would have taken pictures of your car (and the car collector). You'd be amazed of the number of cars that have been abused when out on long term hire or lease and then are returned after a £3 car wash and a quick flick of colour magic hoping to get their good condition bonus.

Hi we inspected the vehicle using the BVRLA guidelines before returning.

thanks again for taking the time to post your useful comment....

plane_boy2000

When my car went back to PSA a few months back they picked out everything I knew was wrong with the car, plus a couple of bits I hadn't noticed. Collection guy was really good and produced a written report of the condition there and then along with the repair costs of each item he picked out.

Total only came to £160 which he said they may waive due to the low value, but that it wasn't his call. Week later I had a letter saying that they would waive the charges.

This was my second lease and no charges for either

arcon5

Why do your posts seem so rude op..