Car finance ended. Big repair bill after inspection

wwfwilla

So, to cut a long story short after 3 years and about 6 weeks my car was collected today by a collections agency because the finance ended.

What I wasn't prepared for was the bill I got for repairs.
I knew the car was going to have an in depth inspection but I thought it was just to check that it wouldn't fall apart as soon as they got it off the driveway. Seriously I thought it'd be cracks in the windscreen, spare tyre missing, cigarette burns etc.

But I've been given a bill for £247 excluding VAT (about £300 altogether) for 2 scratches and some wear to an alloy.
One scratch I reckon could have treated with some t-cut and a bit of buffing.

As for the wear on the alloy. I'd challenge anyone who parked at the side of a road to go to work for 3 years not to brush the kerb every now and again.

I've read the terms and conditions and it seems that more or less they want the car back as good as when it's given to me.
It states any scratch which penetrates the primer coat is considered abnormal. I can't help it if the the transit van that clipped me while parked didn't do it a little lighter.

So im just after the views of people in the industry or have been in this position.
I find the damage repair bill very picky and very expensive. I just don't think its fair.

Do I have any rights for a second opinion or something like that or have I just got to cough up?

Extra details:
Company: Peugeot Financial Services
Collections agency: Manheim Auctions
Car: a 60 plate Peugeot 207 in 37 monthly payments with lump sum at end or return the car.

Many thanks for your support.

P.S. I don't know if this makes a difference but the registration document (V5C logbook) wasn't signed by the anyone so I still am technically the registered keeper right?

marliepanda

The alloys you clearly know you damaged.

Did you challenge the transit driver for the money to fix his scratch?

You have damaged the car. Of course they want it back in as new condition.

I don't think £247 is a half bad price either.

meer53

I don't think it's too bad for a scratch and a damaged alloy. Why didn't you treat the scratch when it happened ?

wwfwilla

When your on a lease your not fully aware of some of the terms. They talk more about the good stuff than the bad stuff.

If someone had blatantly told me to my face we will charge ANY minor fault to repair at dealership prices then I'd have been on top of this.
It's just never communicated that way.

It doesn't say anywhere in my collection letter about charging despite putting a big excerpt on t's and c's into it.
It just says any damage above a certain level is deemed abnormal. It doesn't say we will then take your car and charge dealership prices to fix.

The previous car I had to this one was leased. I part exchanged it for my current car. A guy at the dealership popped out and looked round it for 2 minutes then gave me keys to the new one.
The guy today took photos of it like he was doing a fashion shoot with the car.
I wasn't prepared for this level of scrutiny.

If only I could rewind by a month knowing what I do now.
But how many times have people not realised the full aspect of something until they've put their name on the dotted line.

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Sorry to mess you guys round but I double posted this.
I think I best use my topic in the motoring forum and close this one shortly.

Thanks for your replies.

ValHaller

marliepanda wrote: »

Of course they want it back in as new condition.

That is a unreasonable expectation. They should allow for reasonable wear and tear.

bris

Car leaseing make you fully aware of whats expected when a car is returned, they even write it all down for you.

Wear and tear is allowed but if you look at your contract it clearly states the size of scratches that are not wear and tear to both bodywork and alloys, feeling it with your fingernail also means it's to deep to t-cut out.

marliepanda

ValHaller wrote: »

That is a unreasonable expectation. They should allow for reasonable wear and tear.

Poor wording on my part. But even wear and tear wouldn't cover kerbing alloys and a transit van clip!

earthstorm

wwfwilla wrote: »

When your on a lease your not fully aware of some of the terms. They talk more about the good stuff than the bad stuff.

you will be fully aware as you would have received a copy of their terms when you took out the lease. It is your responsibility to read and understand these.