Car Finance Voluntary Termination

bobsa31

Hi,

I have VT'd my car, the finance company have accepted this in writing now (after three attempts).

The problem I have is that they have now been out twice and refused to take the car, the first time because the oil light was on (I topped of the oil and it was fine), and today because the car didn't start first time from the key (the starter motor has just started playing up)

I've now had two days off work to wait in on these guys, I telephoned the finance company and they said that I should have known that the car wouldn't have been taken back with any issues, I have told them they need to take the car back irrespective of any issues and they have told me they will pick the car up with a lorry in two weeks, but are charging me £115 to do it.


The date they accepted the VT was 31st January, am I right in thinking they cant take anymore finance payments from that date?



Thanks

Gaz83

Do you have any proof the starter motor has only just started playing up?

From the finance company's point of view, how do they know it hasn't been doing it for a while?

bobsa31

Hi,


Thanks for the reply. an inspector came out on Thursday last week and started the car fine, 2 or 3 times. He refused to take it as it had low oil. I topped it up and called them back out.

Apples2

All depends what's in the terms of the agreement.

I don't think it unreasonable for them to expect the car to start and drive without warning lights present. I can also understand why they want to collect on a lorry. Sounds like it has been neglected if something as simple as oil has not been maintained.

You can see what will happen if the engine falls out after 100yds.

I'm sure a lot of people VTing cars drop it off at the garage themselves in which case, this wouldn't be an issue.

bobsa31

Hi,


The car is in immaculate condition, it just hasn't been run for 5 months as I've not been here. its not a new car (11 years old) with 120k miles on the clock, it has a full service history with the last service done 9 months ago and only 1000 miles covered since then.


It most definitely hasn't ben neglected!

Gaz83

Thing is, keeping a car topped up with oil is one of the most basic, yet necessary, pieces of car maintenance to be carried out. It's so straightforward that everyone is capable of doing it.

If I was going to buy a car, for example, and the oil warning light was on, I'd walk away - if they'd neglected this, what else have they neglected?

The finance company may be thinking the same thing.

bobsa31

OK, so was pretty pointless coming to this site for advice. definitely lots of armchair mechanics though that can give some advice on car maintenance, will keep this in mind the next time I need to fix a car.

Gaz83

bobsa31 wrote: »

OK, so was pretty pointless coming to this site for advice. definitely lots of armchair mechanics though that can give some advice on car maintenance, will keep this in mind the next time I need to fix a car.

You could, alternatively, stop being precious and realise that surely anyone who picks up a car and sees an oil warning light on (in combination with the car not starting) might just think there's something up, no?

bobsa31

I'm not being precious, the point is these companies do this sort of thing deliberately. They have to take the car back irrespective of the condition, by refusing and pushing the time out before taking it back they try to take more money in finance payments from you.
I was looking for advice regarding the finance element etc, not the condition of the vehicle. As I've said before, the car has sat for 5 months without even being started.

Gaz83

bobsa31 wrote: »

I'm not being precious, the point is these companies do this sort of thing deliberately. They have to take the car back irrespective of the condition, by refusing and pushing the time out before taking it back they try to take more money in finance payments from you.
I was looking for advice regarding the finance element etc, not the condition of the vehicle. As I've said before, the car has sat for 5 months without even being started.

What do your terms and conditions say about the condition of the car at voluntary termination and any finance payments possibly to be made after that? I'd be very surprised if they are supposed to take the car back irrespective of the condition.

bobsa31

The car is being handed back under section 99 of the consumer credit act, sometimes called half's and third's, I've paid 50% of the credit agreement and can therefore hand the car back. The finance company in turn, can charge me for any repairs needed to the car that are not classed as fair wear and tear. The terms and conditions don't have anything about taking payments after voluntary termination, and my understanding is that the agreement is terminated from the date the finance company accept the VT. (This is what I'm needing clarified)


the terms and conditions do state that they will charge for anything picked up during an inspection by a third party company. they have inspected the car and are charging for a scuff to an alloy wheel (£60) and a small dent on the back quarter panel, which was there when I bought the car but have agreed to pay at £40, they have said the starter motor is fair wear and tear.


This finance company are well known for trying to dupe people out of money, they don't like voluntary termination.