Enterprise Car Rental - Scuffing on underside of bumper scam?

mobillica

Hi I recently hired a car to travel from Swansea to Norwich.

On arrival at car lease firm I signed all the paper work, I gave the car an inspection for any dinks or bumps.

All seemed ok so picked up the keys and went on my way.

We drove only on motorways and main roads.

Upon return to Swansea I took the car back to Enterprise and was told that on inspection they had discovered 'scuffing' on underside of front bumper.

The charge for this they said was £500.

When initially picking up the car is it my responsibility to actually get on the floor and check underneath the car? What is considered 'reasonable' when inspecting?

After doing a bit of research on the net it seems that car lease firms do try this on. Seems bit scammy to charge £500!

Is this normal practice?

jbainbridge

You have my sympathy ... I'm picky with hire cars but have yet to ever check 'under' the bumper.

InsideInsurance

Leasing firms certainly, hire companies I've not had any problems nor heard from others that have but seems an easy trick for them to pull on you.

My own experience of hire car companies have all been very good, even when I have caused very minor marks on them I've never had anything spotted/ charged

marlot

I wish there was a way of demanding sight of the damage forms from the previous hirer - it would stop the (possible) practice of charging many customers for the same piece of damage.

Foxy-Stoat_3

marlot wrote: »

I wish there was a way of demanding sight of the damage forms from the previous hirer - it would stop the (possible) practice of charging many customers for the same piece of damage.

I wonder if there is such a thing before you take possession of the keys, maybe something that the customer signs before they drive off in the hire car......oh well, we can only hope someone invents such a form.

Crabman

marlot wrote: »

I wish there was a way of demanding sight of the damage forms from the previous hirer - it would stop the (possible) practice of charging many customers for the same piece of damage.

You can ask and if they fail to provide it won't look great in the small claims court (or to your card provider).

They can't hide behind "data protection" as they can simply black out the personal details, leaving only the relevant parts of the previous customers' paperwork.

bigjl

When I hire a car or van I film my pre drive inspection on my phone.

Call me paranoid if you like but have never been stitched up in the way it seems the OP has.

Though in balance it only takes one speed bump to scratch the front bumper.

alfantastic

Luckily they don't charge for wear on tyres and brake pads, or we'd all be screwed over. These companies boil my p**s with their petty little ways of fleecing Joe public :mad:

thescouselander

All too common I'm afraid with these hire car companies. I've never heard about them charging for damage underneath the car though. Unfortunately this will be quite hard to fight as the hire car company likely won't budge and your credit card provider probably won't help.

Going through the small claims court might be the only option here. £500 is at the very least excessive but I suspect a case could be made to get out of any payment.

CKhalvashi

bigjl wrote: »

Though in balance it only takes one speed bump to scratch the front bumper.

Or one high ramp, which I need to go over to drive to my mothers front door.

Interestingly, mine scrapes going in, but not on the way out (so the car is fine to reverse there), but I've taken to leaving it at the end of the road.

Still no idea why the ramp is there though......

arcon5

Did they inspect the underbelly on collection? If not then I can't see them having a leg to stand on without proof