Enterprise car hire - damage costs

Ster7751

Hoping someone can help/advise!

We hired a van for 1 day at the beginning of October. When picking up the van dents and bangs were pointed out to us and noted on inventory.

Van was hired for 1 day. When we returned the van Enterprise noted that there was additional damage to on the rear wheel arch (several scratched, about 20cm in length).
We don't believe we did this, but as we had signed the damage sheet the day before where this wasn't recorded, we accepted (frustratingly) that we would have to foot the bill. We set aside £300 as a worse case scenario.

Our credit card was debited £850 on the day, whilst they assessed damage.
Yesterday, (2 months after, and having paid interest on the £850 taken), we were contacted to advise the cost of the repair, administration and car out of use was £550 (!!!) and that £300 was being refunded back on the £850.

Is there anything we can do to argue this charge?

The car had so many dents when we picked it up they clearly don't actually repair any damage. Are we being swindled as I fully expect that they haven't actually repainted the scratch, just taken our money for when ever they do decide to make repairs.

Am I within my right to ask to see receipts etc? Should I be asking mechanics for quotes to touch up scratches? Or... is it a case of tough, that's how much it costs!


Any feedback appreciated. I have no idea how to upload a pic of the damage (I did take a picture, not sure if it will help my case)

Thanks!

InsideInsurance

You can ask them for a breakdown of the costs but you arent in a great position to negotiate.

Retrogamer

Most of the time, the damage isn't repaired, but the charge provided to you is roughly in line with how much the resale value of the vehicle would have dropped with the scratches included.

If the scratches were repaired, you usually need to either fully paint, or blend in the rest of the panel. During the time the repairs are being carried out (which is expensive in itself) the van cannot be used for business use, so the other monies may be to cover that loss.

InsideInsurance

Retrogamer wrote: »

Most of the time, the damage isn't repaired, but the charge provided to you is roughly in line with how much the resale value of the vehicle would have dropped with the scratches included.

If the scratches were repaired, you usually need to either fully paint, or blend in the rest of the panel. During the time the repairs are being carried out (which is expensive in itself) the van cannot be used for business use, so the other monies may be to cover that loss.

They can claim for the cost of the damage even if it isnt repaired but they cannot claim for the loss of revenue from the vehicle if it isnt.

If they are trying to play this game then they could claim 2-3 days loss of use against each of the hirers that cause a dent/scratch on a panel but then get them all done in one go and only lose the vehicle for 2 days no the 10 days they've claimed across 4 hirers.

Retrogamer

InsideInsurance wrote: »

They can claim for the cost of the damage even if it isnt repaired but they cannot claim for the loss of revenue from the vehicle if it isnt.

I didn't assert they could.

I said if they don't do the repairs, then the fee would be due to the reduced resale value of the vehicle after it's service has ended.

I.e it won't be worth as much money when they sell it because it has been damaged. They may have got a report to state it is worth £500 less with the scratches than without them.

[Deleted User]

Thats why when I hire a van I get one from a local indie place, Yes the vans are 10-12 years old but they are so beat up and covered in rust spots, an extra scratch wouldn't make a difference. They will only charge for damages if you stove the side in or something. They don't even check the van when you return it either. Plus it's cheaper and no upfront deposit.

I wouldn't dream of using any of the national companies as all they seem interested in is how much they can cream off you.

Ster775

Thank you - I guess it's a tough lesson learnt (never to scratch a hire car!)
I am going to request confirmation car has been repaired. If it's not proven Google seems to think I can have the days unused cost paid back.
Can only try!