Car wear and tear charges! Help!

Gembalems

Hi folks, sorry if this has been oddly placed this is my first post but opinions welcome! I handed back my peugot that I had on hire purchase 2 weeks ago I thought in very good condition. However I just received a letter in the post from a car auction business on behalf or peugot demanding £390 for damages beyond wear and tear. When I called they made it clear I had to pay "now" even though I explained I couldn't until pay day next week they said the best they could do was half now and half pay day. My mom reckons I shouldn't pay up like this, as the pictures they sent are really unclear and there is no specification as to size of said scratches and dents they are demanding for and which I didn't know existed, and I know it has to hit certain sizes etc to be not classed as reasonable wear and tear. Is it worth trying to get a second opinion? I don't know if they sold the car or not already, but £300+ for 2 scratches and 2 dents (that I didn't see) seems steep. Or maybe I am just new to all of this and they are just squeezing me for what they can get. Opinions and advice very welcome. X

KTF

Who did you return the car to? Was it appraised when you handed it back and do you have any paperwork from when you handed it back?

Gembalems

It was picked up by an independent company on behalf of peugot. Briefly on the day of pick up but all we got was a kind of receipt. My partner was told at the time he had noticed 2 small dents, but he said it was the type you get from someone just knocking a door on a car park and we shouldn't be charged as they can pop them out no problem. All I have now is the letter with a list of dents and scratches with the cost of each and poor quality pictures (can see the guys reflection rather than any damage.) when I called though the guy I spoke to said the collection guy shouldn't have told us there would be no charge and they consider it chargeable. Just not sure if should demand proof of size etc to prove not wear and tear covered before paying. He was very forceful on the phone about "you need to pay me today".

forgotmyname

If they didnt give you a sheet stating the damage then just reply stating you know nothing of the damage they are claiming for. Maybe they should check their CCTV to see if it was damaged whilst in their care.

spacey2012

Who was your contract with ?
if you have no contract with the car auction they have no right to any money.

KTF

With no paperwork to prove it, then as far as you are concerned it was in A1 condition when you handed it back and it is up to them to prove otherwise.

For all you know the 'damage' they want you to claim for could have been done after you handed it back and they are trying it on - not that they would of course.

The fact that they are sending through pictures that make it hard to identify anything also help their cause.

Am amazed that they didn't appraise it as after you hand over the keys, get a 'receipt', then thats the end of it so dont pay them a thing.

Gembalems

Sorry if I'm not being 100% clear. I think this company were the ones doing the full appraisal for peugot when it got to the auction house.

KTF

Regardless you should have been given paperwork listing any damage (if any) when you handed it back.

As soon as it goes out of your sight you have no idea what happens to the car which is why it is checked out when you hand it back and everyone agrees and signs for its condition.

Gembalems

I can't seem to find the slip of paper he gave me now it was literally the size of a receipt but the only thing negative it said on there was not much petrol in it. I will have to find his phone number tomorrow and contact him about it see if it will help me out.

worried_jim

Tell them to bog off.

KTF

To be on the safe side, also check that your direct debit to Peugeot has been cancelled with your bank (assuming its all paid up now) in case they try to reclaim the cost via that route.