End of Lease Car Charges

gimathon

Hi, we returned our lease car last spring. At the time of collection the guy said there was some damage but it was minor and he thought it was borderline that there would be a charge. I kept some money back for that eventuality. A couple of months later we get an invoice for excess mileage which we pay and with no further contact over time we assume it is the end of the matter.

Several months pass, we’ve had a few emergencies over Christmas and now the money is gone.

a few weeks ago we get another invoice asking for payment of the same excess mileage which we dispute but they won’t listen to. Then today we get a further invoice for £525 for the car repairs.

by my reckoning this is over 6 months since we were told that the only payment required was for excess mileage. 

I wouldn’t have minded paying 6 months ago, but now I’ve got to budget for an extra £500 before next payday which seems unreasonable, given that communication many months ago had indicated no further charges.

do I have reason to contest this and how can I go about this?

thank you.

Grumpy_chap

You returned the car last Spring, so March / April 2020?

You received the invoice for excess mileage after a couple of months - June 2020?  You paid this bill.

There was no further contact so you assumed that was the end of the matter. 
Yet, you then go on to say "over 6 months since we were told that the only payment was for excess mileage" 
Were you told, or did you assume?

A few weeks ago, you received an invoice for the same excess mileage.  Obviously, you need to dispute that.  Can you prove the original invoice was settled?

Now you have an invoice for £525 damage.  Can the lease company prove that damage was present at the time of collection?  In nearly a year, anything could have happened at any time and been caused by anyone.

sheslookinhot

But the OP did say there was damage on the car when it was returned at end of lease. A sum of money was  was put aside on the expectation that an invoice would be received to cover the damage. That invoice has now been received. A bit later than expected, possibly due to that big thing that is going on at the minute with only essential businesses and people being furloughed etc.

OP could dispute the payment, but unless time barred, which is doubtful, should be expected to pay it.

How many posts on here are about folks looking for a way out of meeting their obligations ?