Voluntary termination damage dispute

Clolou97

Fairly new to this so not sure if my thread will be visible to anyone but anyway.. I’m having a massive dispute with my car finance company and need advice. I done a voluntary termination after having my car for 3 year (Barclays partner finance) and they told me I would have to either pay £200 for them to collect the car, or take it to the auction centre myself. I decided I would take it to the auction centre where they basically took my keys/logbook and sent me on my way. 3 month later... I receive a letter stating my ‘£900 worth of debt’ from Barclays is now being handled by a debt company. I immediately rang Barclays to see what this was all about to which they explained there was over £1000 worth of damage to the car. ‘’Broken boot’’- wasn’t broke when I had it!, ‘’dullness of some paintwork’’- never noticed this but surely general wear and tear?, ‘’slight rusting on alloys’’ another thing that I’m sure wasn’t there! And a list of other things that I’m still waiting on. I was extremely shocked and explained that when I left the car at the auction centre there was no damage, barely even general wear and tear! The car was immaculate. They told me that I could dispute it however due to lack of photo evidence on my part, there’s not much I could do. Extremely frustrating and upsetting to say the least however, I think I may actually have a leg to stand on. When I took my car to the auction centre, I asked if the car would be inspected whilst I was present to which they replied I could not be present whilst the car was being inspected.. (STRANGE!). Therefore, I didn’t sign anything to say that I was aware of these ‘’damages’’ so for all I know they could have done the damages whilst inspecting??? Unlikely, I know but there has to be some sort of explanation. I have made Barclays aware of my query but to be honest, they couldn’t care less. Is there anything else I can do or someone I can seek advice from? I genuinely think they are trying to pull a fast one. I’ve been extremely stressed and upset over the situation.

a.turner

What evidence do you have to dispute their damage claim?

daveyjp

It doesn't work like that.

What evidence do they have that the damage was identified and highlighted to you before you left the car at the auction? If they didn't check it before acceptance tough on them.

pramsay13

We had something similar with a £600 bill as my dad handed back the car as I wasn't available.

We eventually had it reduced to £200 after a complaint which my wife paid rather than fight it further which is what I would have done.

I would suggest making an official complaint that you disagree with some of the issues, and some of the issues are fair wear and tear as suggested in the guidelines
https://www.bvrla.co.uk/fleet-services/fair-wear-and-tear.html

If you are not happy you can then ask BVRLA to look at the case.

There is some good advice here:
https://debtcamel.co.uk/vt-end-car-finance-early/
and on the legal beagles website that is linked.

lopsyfa

Next time, make sure you take your own photographs before handing over the vehicle - that will make your defense a lot easier.

As to their argument that due to the lack of photo evidence on your part, it could also be argued that due to the lack of photo evidence on their part the damages were there when you hand the car over, the damage could have been done between the time you gave them the car and however long they took to inspect it.

I will raise an official complaints citing lack of evidence on their part the damage was there on handover and highlighting that you asked for the car to be inspected at the auction house and was told not to worry. Also, highlight none of the damage were there when you gave them the car (or were wear and tear but be careful with this as it could be deemed as accepting the damage was there when you hand it over).