Lex auto lease charges

Jonah01

Hi,

My lease car went back last month to lex Autolease and I have just received an invoice for a replacement ignition key. £140.

Now I know categorically that both keys were with the car when it got picked up.

I took various photos of the car including both keys on the morning they picked it up.

They inspected the car and I showed the driver the various bits like spare key, locking wheel nut etc.

He said their iPad system had gone down so he had no way of recording any of the car details. Ideally I should have quickly wrote something up for him to sign but you don't always think of these things at the time.

Where do I stand here if I ring them and they don't budge?

What would you do?

Thanks
Paul

forgotmyname

Write to them dont ring them, explain the driver who collected it had both keys and to direct their queries and costs in that direction.

Jonah01

Thanks for your quick reply.

I was hoping to just get it sorted over the phone. They are due to ring me back Monday.

Can I ask why I should avoid speaking to them?

Will email be OK?

Thanks

Ectophile

Jonah01 wrote: »

Thanks for your quick reply.

I was hoping to just get it sorted over the phone. They are due to ring me back Monday.

Can I ask why I should avoid speaking to them?

Will email be OK?

Thanks

You write to them so that it's on record if you eventually get to the point of lawsuits.

Writing is still generally preferred to email. Post the letter 1st class at a post office and get proof of posting.

Jonah01

Ok I'll do that thanks.

Is there any harm speaking to them as well in Monday as they might be able to sort it out straight away for me?

I can't work out if the lex auto lease guy who picked it up not having any forms to sign etc works in my favour or not?

Surely having a photo that was taken 1 hour before pickup is good enough evidence that both keys were present.

flashg67

I usually find a call can often sort things quickly - get details of who you speak to and ask for an email to confirm what has been agreed.

Was this a personal lease or was the invoice to your company then passed to you? At least put the invoice in query anyway to stop them chasing you for now.

Edit - I'd say a timed/dated photo would be enough to see the charge waived.

Jonah01

It was a personal lease so all addressed to me.

Was worried about something happening like this so made sure the car was well looked after and all accessories were present.

I'd like to think this was a mistake but I showed the guy that the key was with the locking wheel nut in a clear bag.

What would be the process if they still wanted the money and I refused to pay?

mark5

Why was the spare key with the locking wheel nut and could it still be there?

Whenever lease cars etc have gone back I have always had all the keys attached to each other, locking wheel nut in it's place next to the spare wheel, any service books etc in the glove box.

How long ago did the car go back if it's recent it might still be listed at a BCA auction and listed with 2 keys, it would be worth checking.

Jonah01

Hi,

The keys were never on a key ring so I put it with the wheel nut in the sealed bag so it wasn't loose. It was with the books on the front passenger seat.

I'll check the auctions. It went back on the 23rd Dec.

Thanks

force_ten

sorry I cant offer any help for your current situation but note for any future lease returns

a zip tie that cost pence will hold all keys together during the return process

Jonah01

Agree.

Is anyone able to the bca for me please. It won't let me register?
It was a fiesta titanium 1.5 reg bt62. Silver. 33,000 miles.

Ill post back tomorrow how i get on.