damage costs at end of lease?

laidbackgjr

kmb500 wrote: »

That being said, it's in the garage for a minor fix today and I've got a KA+ for the day, which feels like a little midget compared to the Fiesta. Maybe I am going crazy but I find it like its huge to drive.

Wow - the Ka+ is a mere 4cm shorter and 4cm narrower than a Fiesta.

BeenThroughItAll

laidbackgjr wrote: »

Wow - the Ka+ is a mere 4cm shorter and 4cm narrower than a Fiesta.

I'm guessing spatial awareness isn't the OP's strongest suit.

kmb500

that doesn't surprise me in the slightest, I thought someone would say they are almost the same size. Regardless the Fiesta FEELS much larger. If it is not even significantly larger than the KA then I have no idea what the difference is.. it feels a lot bulkier and there's less conversation with the road. I also think it has something to do with not being able to see the front of the car? Probably due to 1) my seat position, and 2) the sloping nature of the bonnet/front of the car.

AndyMc.....

kmb500 wrote: »

Yes. it feels massive. I previously had a 2 seater, so rear window is right behind your head, you have a much better sense of place and better visibility, even if the fiesta has bigger windows. plus it was much closer to the ground which helps. it felt a lot smaller car and the Fiesta is a lot wider.
Can't believe I've had it a month now and still hate parking it. I'm sure I will get used to it but not yet.


That being said, it's in the garage for a minor fix today and I've got a KA+ for the day, which feels like a little midget compared to the Fiesta. Maybe I am going crazy but I find it like its huge to drive.

So about the size of the MX5 you didn't have?

kmb500

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I'm guessing spatial awareness isn't the OP's strongest suit.

I suppose not but I learnt to drive in a Fiesta and never had problems. Man I miss my MX5. I don't regret getting the Fiesta, my old car was falling apart and I wanted the hassle-free nature of a new car... but already I can't wait for 3 years from now when I can buy another MX5 lol.

kmb500

AndyMc..... wrote: »

So about the size of the MX5 you didn't have?

Didn't have? What do you mean? I loved my MX5. just a shame it rusted away


I'm just saying, compared to my previous car (MX5) the Fiesta feels very large and bulky. And now that I've tried a KA for today, the KA feels much smaller. Something about the fiesta makes it feel big to drive. We've got a Fiat Panda and the fiesta isn't that much bigger on the driveway but it feels twice the size to drive.

jlfrs

Hi, I've done quite a few of these arrangements and here are my observations:

1: Most, if not all, finance companies offering a PCP or PCH type of product will have some documentation stating what they consider to be fair wear and tear for a car's condition given it's age and mileage covered at the time of return. Alloy wheel scuffs are usually included unless the wheel or wheels are really battered. Stone chips are another common issue and these are also included, unless it's a windscreen chip in the field of vision.

2: All companies will have a tariff of charges for stuff which isn't what they consider to be fair wear and tear, such as dents, scrapes, etc. In my experience I've found this to be very reasonable, even against the smart repairers. My guess (and it is only a guess), is they want to avoid any work going through insurance so try to keep the costs down, as well as not trying to put customers off taking another agreement with them.

3: You could take out alloy wheel insurance which is really quite reasonable and you think you're likely to damage the wheels fairly often. If not, or you're really not that fussed about driving a car with scuffed up wheels, then don't bother and simply pay the bill when you return the car.

4: If you have a PCP you will have agreed to a total mileage figure. Handing the car back with this over will almost certainly land you with a bill. However, you may find as I have, that handing it back under mileage may mean you get no bill for any scuffs and dents at all as the cost of repairs will be deducted from the amount of money they potentially owe you.

On this last point, there's nothing in writing anywhere that states this will or may happen but it has been my experience on 2 occasions.

kmb500

jlfrs wrote: »

Hi, I've done quite a few of these arrangements and here are my observations:

1: Most, if not all, finance companies offering a PCP or PCH type of product will have some documentation stating what they consider to be fair wear and tear for a car's condition given it's age and mileage covered at the time of return. Alloy wheel scuffs are usually included unless the wheel or wheels are really battered. Stone chips are another common issue and these are also included, unless it's a windscreen chip in the field of vision.

2: All companies will have a tariff of charges for stuff which isn't what they consider to be fair wear and tear, such as dents, scrapes, etc. In my experience I've found this to be very reasonable, even against the smart repairers. My guess (and it is only a guess), is they want to avoid any work going through insurance so try to keep the costs down, as well as not trying to put customers off taking another agreement with them.

3: You could take out alloy wheel insurance which is really quite reasonable and you think you're likely to damage the wheels fairly often. If not, or you're really not that fussed about driving a car with scuffed up wheels, then don't bother and simply pay the bill when you return the car.

4: If you have a PCP you will have agreed to a total mileage figure. Handing the car back with this over will almost certainly land you with a bill. However, you may find as I have, that handing it back under mileage may mean you get no bill for any scuffs and dents at all as the cost of repairs will be deducted from the amount of money they potentially owe you.

On this last point, there's nothing in writing anywhere that states this will or may happen but it has been my experience on 2 occasions.

Thanks, that's very helpful. I am able to read the agreement I've signed, just wanted some feedback from people who've actually completed these leases, as it's my first one.

DD265

I just terminated the PCH on my car early, with RCI Finance (Nissan).

Prior to handing the car back we went around the bodywork with lacquer and paint pens, touching up any obvious scratches. Didn't bother smoothing anything out. I was told by the guy who did the inspection that scratches are only an issue for them if it's gone through the paint - we basically hid all of those.

Similarly my family member touched up any scratches on the alloys with silver paint - I didn't see these (my family member took it upon himself) but I hadn't noticed any damage to the alloys any way. The inspection guy actually commented what good condition they were in.

What was flagged up - and we didn't/couldn't do anything about them - was two dings in the body work from people opening their car doors onto my car. The guy had a board thing where the reflection on the lacquer shows a bend and it highlights them. I'm expecting to be charged I think £48 for each.

I'd rather not have to pay anything at all (I didn't want any potential hassle over the VT-and-refuse-to-pay-extra-as-they-aren't-entitled-to-it approach as the timing was bad) but in the grand scheme of things it's costing less than I was concerned about - assuming they get around to invoicing me.

wymondham

People laugh at me with my lease car saying they can tell its leased. I do park about a foot away from the kerb though!