Voluntary Termination - Fair Wear and Tear

madbob_3

I am new here so sorry if this has been covered elsewhere.

I have just requested a VT on a car as the current market means that if I want to sell the car I would have to do so at a price point below settlement value.

I do qualify for VT as I have paid over 50% of the total amount due under the agreement.

The finance company have sent out an independent inspection company (I have no idea if the two companies are connected, but obviously have at least a working agreement)

The car is now just over 30 months old and in pristine condition, not a single dent, scratch except for some really minor wheel damage (I will cover in more detail)

The inspection took about an hour and they went over it with a fine tooth comb, as if they were trying to find something, anything they could charge for.

The minor damage to the wheels I am told is not covered by fair wear and tear because it covers more than 5cm in total length.

Honestly you have to get very close to the wheels to even notice it, certainly it wouldn't stand out to a casual glance.

Now this is the question

1. For a car 30 months old, in every other respect perfect would minor damage to an alloy wheel be considered fair wear and tear.

They want to charge me £55 per wheel

2. They want me to deliver at my expense direct to auction - am I legally obliged to do this or are they obliged to collect the car.

3. Their letter states amongst other things I should supply road fund licence (I have just paid for 6 months) and don't want to surrender that as it is yet more cost.

Any advice would be welcome

Thanks

Gloomendoom

I would have thought all the things you are legally bound to do would be in the terms and conditions of the agreement you signed at the start of the lease.

vikingaero

Whatever you do take pictures with the inspection agent present. About 100 pics in hi-res should protect you.

Buellguy

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I would have thought all the things you are legally bound to do would be in the terms and conditions of the agreement you signed at the start of the lease.

I think that may be the problem, contract may say 'fair wear and tear', it's the inspection company's definition of that term that might be causing the issue

laidbackgjr

None of it sounds unreasonable, but really depends upon what's in your t&c's.

My car's 8 years old and done 125k miles and I don't think I have a mark on the alloys bigger than 5cm. So I'd tend to agree that marks over 5cm are more than wear and tear.

vikingaero

The BVRLA and most leasing companies have guidelines to what constitutes fair wear and tear:

http://www.bvrla.co.uk/Advice_and_Guidance/Fair_wear_and_tear_standards.aspx

treasach

I VT'd my car about a month ago on an 8 year old car and I have just had a letter from Santander advising that they want £135 to recondition 3 wheels, the vehicle had several light scratches on which they have let go but stiill chasing the wheel recondition charges (there was very minimal scuffs on the alloys).

Their problem is, which I have made them aware of, the car went to auction the week after they took it and it was bought by a garage 6 miles away from my house and I have been down and took pictures of the wheels while it was sat on the forecourt and they haven't been reconditioned, so surely they can't charge for work that they aren't going to get done???

But I'm guessing if they are going to try it on with an 8 year old car there going to be even worse with a new car

Hintza

treasach wrote: »

But I'm guessing if they are going to try it on with an 8 year old car there going to be even worse with a new car

All scratches and dings affect the value, that is what you are being charged for not them actually doing the work.

treasach

But surely 3 minor scratches on the alloys on an 8 year old car is fair wear and tear? when I say minor I mean you really have to look to find them

The assessor has even written on my report "The car is in excellent condition for an 8 year old car with wear and tear in line with the cars age"

Hintza

Yes your probably right, but they seem to screw you right down these days.

I would also be moaning if it was an 8 year old car!

treasach

Exactly, I've just sent a letter back stating I refuse to pay it and if I'm not happy with there response I will be seeking advice from the Trading Standards, one thing I did do which I hope will help my case, is that I got a local garage to give it a once over and they wrote me a short summary confirming that the car was in line with its age

I'm just worried Santander will put a black mark against my name if I refuse to pay it