scratch on hire car

mugly

Had hire car for six days.Now get a letter from avis rentacar asking for £35.25 for a scratch and minor bump on driver door.I checked all over car and there were no new scratches,only the ones i signed for.I think they are pulling a fast one or its happened after the car was collected.
Any advice please.
ps they are now demandig the money or there will be a levy administrative fee of £25

Zingara

When you took the car you signed a form advising of various scratches? When you took the car back did they check it over and advise you of the additional damage AND get you to sign agreeing that you had caused the damage and would pay for it? If yes then you will have to pay for it, if not then you have room to fight, if you want to.

I had a courtesy car whilst mine was in the garage being repaired following an accident. I signed for the courtesy car with scratches. When it was collected nothing was said about any additional marks on the car. Within 7 days I had an invoice from them for over £350 for 2 scratches!!!!

Needless to say I wasn't best pleased and refused to pay it on the grounds that they couldn't prove that I had done any damage to the car as they hadn't checked the car when it was collected from me and as such any damage could have been done by the person who had taken the car off me. I was threatened with being taken to court and their costs being added on, to which I replied that they had to win the case first and as it would be a small claims case as far as I was aware they couldn't claim costs back from me whether they won or not. I also asked them to prove that I had done the damage by way of a signed form, knowing full well there wasn't one.

They offered to settle it with me at £200 but I still refused as there was no evidence and eventually they gave up!

At the end of the day, it depends on whether you want to fight it (for the sake of £35) or not and what evidence they have. If you signed anything when you handed the car back, check what you signed for. If you signed saying you would pay for any damage then it would be reasonable for them to ask you pay but in turn you need proof that the damage was caused by you and this should have been done at handing over time.

Hope that helps and isn't too confusing!

Karen

mugly

Thanks for the reply karen,I didn't signed anything when they collected the car.The person just knock on my door and took the key of me and didn't even look at the car for any scratches.

MarkyMarkD

If you actually hand over the keys to them, you should always ask them to inspect the car there and then and sign your documentation to show that there is no damage.

By failing to do so, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to being blamed for any damage the delivery driver causes on the way back to the depot.

Zingara

If you are sure you didn't do any damage, I wouldn't pay and would argue that it was handed back in the same condition that you received it as there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Any damage done was after it left your hands. I'm fairly certain that the onus is on them to prove you damaged the car and by not checking it they are at fault. I would write to them advising that as far as you are concerned, the car was returned in the same condition that you had it and any damage must have been done after it was handed back to them. Also request proof from them that the car was damaged whilst in your hands - by way of signed documentation from yourself when the car was taken off you (knowing full well it doesn't exist!).

The other argument is, for £35 is it worth it? It's your choice! If you choose to fight them then you may struggle getting a rental car off them in future as you will probably be blacklisted! Or they may try taking you to court, though for that amount of money it probably isn't worth it.

If in doubt, do you have any solicitors near you that offer a free 30 minute legal helpline? If so you may want to make an appointment with one to see what they say. Just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

Karen

waster_2

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

If you actually hand over the keys to them, you should always ask them to inspect the car there and then and sign your documentation to show that there is no damage.

By failing to do so, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to being blamed for any damage the delivery driver causes on the way back to the depot.

How do you make that one out? The delivery driver writes-off the car on the way back to the depot and you're responsible - right? No, wrong. If they accept the car back (i.e.the delivery/collection driver takes it away without checking and agreeing with the hirer/borrower its condition) he is accepting, as the company agent, that it is in the same condition as when it was originally taken.

The only way there would be a valid claim is if the company could prove on the balance of probability that the hire/borrower had caused the damage. If the hirer/borrower is confident that the proof is not there, then tell them to go away and not come back until they can produce it.

BTW, I would not rely upon this abroad. Always get a signed document confirming the car was returned without any problems.

Robocop_2

I've worked within the car rental industry for nearly 20 years now and the first thing I'd do is ask to see a signed damage hanger (or whatever they call it) confiming that you agree the "new" damage that's been noted. Obviously since they (the hire company) don't have this, they're have a hard job proving if you actually did the damage or not.

GreyPilgrim

I always check hire cars off when I return them but once I returned one at 6am to hertz in manchester airport - there was no one there and so I had to just dump the keys in the kiosk.

Recieved a letter some weeks later saying there was damage on it. I contested it and explained that I couldn't find anyone to check the car off with when I returned it, and they let the matter drop straight away (well, within a few days)

I was prepared for a long drawn out battle which I was bound to lose but they really surprised me. I would contest this to the last breath mate.

Exemplar

Agree totally with Robocop (Spent 4 years as a hire car manager), ask to see your signature on a damage form agreeing to the scratches. I worked for 1car1 for ages and they were very good about this, no sig no charge.
Alex

greyteam1959

Lots of car hire companies abroad never have anyone manning their return desks half of the time.
You just drop the keys thro the letter box of the office.
Worries me sometimes that someone might damage the car in the carpark and you will get the blame.
I would agree with Robocop...........no worries if they cant produce any paperwork

misfire

Yes ask to see the damage report ASAP (i too for my sins was a car rental manager for 3 years)- see exactly what they are charging you for.

Then ask them to show you anything you signed showing you accepted this damage - if you didnt sign to accept it then argue the point. You have be carefull there is nothing in the rental agreement to cover them in this situation maybe worth reading through it. I never delt with delivery or collection so dont know.

If it was collected - did you rent via your company? if so they may not want to loose the company buiness so get someone who deals with rental in your company to take this up on your behalf (only works if corporate hire though!!)

Don't let it drop - contact you c.c company (assume you paid by cc) be polite but dont let it drop they will probably consider it easier to refund the charge.

I know it is obvious but keep copies of letter and note down who you spoke to (inc dept or surname) and when. I used to have to do this when contacting my own companies larger c.c dept as in a massive office it is hard making sure you get to speak to the right 'sue. ted bob etc..'

Good luck .