Hire Car

tastycracker

Hi


I was working for a company who supplied a company car, they didn't have one available so they rented one for me from Thrifty Car hire. I slightly scratched the car on the passenger door causing a couple of tiny hair line scratches of less than a cm long. They came to take the car back today I left the key in a safe place as I was out all day. They came at 5pm, when it was dark and my daughters boyfriend saw them inspecting the car for about 45 mins outside my house. They left a note through my letterbox saying they couldn't inspect the car properly as it was too dirty (it did have a little bit of mud on as it's been raining for the past 2 days) They wrote on the note that they would send me details over if they found any damage when they got back to their premises when the car had been valetted
Surely all responsibility is taken away from me when they drove that car away? Can someone advise? Thanks in advance

facade

They have told you the score. They couldn't see the damage you know you inflicted because you have covered it in dirt.
They are going to wash it first, find the scratches and bill you.

You will argue that they scratched it on the way back, but they will have already taken the money from the company credit card or account that hired it.

Car_54

They were prevented from examining the car because it was dark and dirty. In what parallel universe does that absolve you from responsibility for the damage?

happyc84

Did the OP take pictures of the car before it was picked up? No they hide the evidence by getting the car muddy.

I've rented over 40 cars in 2 years, it's only if the scratches are above a certain length or depth that you would be charged.
The 40 mins spent looking at the car sounds a bit long. 4 mins max, these guys have to account for every minute they work.

if this was a business hire, why are you bothered.

tastycracker

It was a business hire. I was worried it would come back to me....