Lease charge - missed service fee

gravers007

Hi there,

I recently returned my lease car and was a bit surprised when I was hit with a £175 missed service charge.

After getting off the phone with them it turns out that the charge is because the vehicle should have had a service after 1 year. I thought it was 12,500 miles, but turns out its 12,500 OR 1 year (whichever comes first).

I had the service done at 18 months. paying extra for genuine ford parts. I appreciate that the mistake was mine, and that i should have had it serviced at 12 months. But to me it seems unfair that the charge is the same regardless of whether the service was done late or not at all. My thinking being is that the charge represents a loss of income to them as an unserviced car is worth less, and i don't think the same loss is incurred by a late service.

They've told me that they would review it, but I'm not holding my breath. Is there anything else I could/should do to minimise the charge?

shaun_from_Africa

Having the service carried out 6 month late could invalidate the manufacturers warranty (if there is one) and this could lead to a loss in resale value or a possible loss if anything fails on the vehicle which would have been covered by the warranty.

zooks

I'm surprised its only £175 tbh.
Its an easy mistake to make but you agreed to get it serviced on time when you signed up so they could have hammered you.
I thought you are supposed to get it serviced using genuine parts anyway?

Maybe try asking for a goodwill gesture this time to keep your loyalty?

gravers007

You're both right, I feel really annoyed at myself for not checking the paperwork properly.

Yeah, it should be with genuine Ford parts rather than 3rd party brands. Just annoying to me that I paid extra for the Ford parts on top of the service. If I'd missed it completely I'd be better off!

I doubt they'd do it as a gesture of goodwill, they've been really unhelpful & unflexible during the term of the lease so don't expect that to change now!

marlot

Given you've invalidated the Ford warranty, I'm surprised the charge is so low.

AdrianC

marlot wrote: »

Given you've invalidated the Ford warranty, I'm surprised the charge is so low.

^ This, with bells on.

Look at it this way - if you were buying the car, would YOU pay the same (within £175) for a car with a 6mo late first service and an invalid warranty?

forgotmyname

Bargain, I would walk past that car and onto the next. Late and missed servicing = it must be really really cheap.

catherinew26

Hello,

Sorry, late to the conversation, can I ask who you leased the car through?

I think I may be susceptible to this!!!

oscarward

It always makes me laugh when the dealer says a late service makes the car worth less.


Do the dealers service a car on time when on the sales lot or when someone buys it? And if not will they reduce the price to reflect this or tell the punter the manufacturers warranty is now invalid?


I recently had a courtesy car which had the warning of overdue service on the dash board, when I returned the car and mentioned it the service person said they wouldn't bother as the courtesy fleet was being swapped out soon. Jag main dealer 1 year old XF btw.

rhysadams

£175 is a very good charge. I have witnessed much higher than these which is based on loss of value and invalidating the vehicle warranty.


Its really important to make sure your car is serviced within the required parameters and it can be different on every vehicle. Some vehicles service requirements change depending on the way it is driven.

marlot

oscarward wrote: »

It always makes me laugh when the dealer says a late service makes the car worth less....

I've walked away from a couple of cars which were overdue their first service - mostly because the dealer wouldn't confirm that the warranty was still intact - just a vague "we'll loook after you".