Return at end of Lease Charge for missing service book

JWM73

Just returned a car after 3 years. When collecting the agent asked for the service book. Told him the dealership hadn't returned it after last service one week earlier. He said he would raise a dispute. 2 weeks later and we've received an invoice for £400 for the missing service book.

All servicing was done at the dealer. They have said they don't have the missing book. No dispute has been raised when they were asked to.

I don't want to pay this £400 for a book when the service history is all online anyway. What options do I have?

BOWFER

Depends on the wording of your agreement.
I'm reading our Land Rover Lease agreement right now and all it says is servicing must be done according to the manufacturer's schedule, nothing at all about the service book being present on return of the car.
Read your agreement and if it doesn't specifically say the service book must be present on return of the vehicle, argue with them.
They're maybe confusing the lack of book with a lack of servicing, but you can prove servicing was done (you'll have receipts you can send them, surely?)

Grey_Critic

The dealer should be able to supply a New Blank Service Book. They should then fill in the details and stamps. They do want the book as when it is sold on the service records would not be available to the new owner.

AdrianC

If you didn't return the car with all the documentation required by your financier, then of course there will be a charge.

The time to check for it was on collection from the dealer, when they stood a half-decent chance of finding it.

BOWFER

Grey_Critic said:

The dealer should be able to supply a New Blank Service Book. They should then fill in the details and stamps. They do want the book as when it is sold on the service records would not be available to the new owner.

As per my post, there may be no requirement at all under his terms and conditions to provide the book.
It'll say the car has to be serviced, that is certain and the OP can prove that.
But I'd be amazed if it specifically mentions the little book must be present.

marlot

>>  I'd be amazed if it specifically mentions the little book must be present.

You're probably right, but it may say that the car is to be returned with all the items it came with.  Though I have seen ex-lease cars with the tyre inflation kits etc missing.

AdrianC

marlot said:

>>  I'd be amazed if it specifically mentions the little book must be present.

You're probably right, but it may say that the car is to be returned with all the items it came with.  Though I have seen ex-lease cars with the tyre inflation kits etc missing.

https://www.alphabet.com/en-gb/bvrla

page 12
"All vehicle documentation must be intact and available including:
...
> service record booklet
...
All documents must be present in the vehicle when it is returned."

As far as tyre kits go, see page 17
"The emergency tyre inflation kit, if supplied when new, should be in full working order, serviceable, and ready for use.

A canister that has been partially or fully discharged should be replaced."

Flight3287462

BOWFER said:

.... and if it doesn't specifically say the service book must be present on return of the vehicle, argue with them.

 Taking your premise  a stage further, what else can be missing the spare wheel, the jack, the steering wheel? I bet they aren't specifically covered either.  You will be required to return the car with all the pertinent bits that it came with.

OP needs to chase the garage.

AdrianC

The chances that this car has been financed under anything but the industry standard BVRLA terms that I linked to and quoted from are... slender.

NSG666

Some years ago I bought a BMW without a service book but the BMW dealer could see what service work had been carried out at other BMW garages so I knew it had service history. I bought a service book then got the servicing dealers to stamp it up for me. I had to visit about 3 different dealers. Here there will just be one. What's a book cost £25???

edit: for clarity I'm suggesting the OP sorts the book and posts it on rather than expecting the Lease co to do it.

AdrianC

NSG666 said:

Some years ago I bought a BMW without a service book but the BMW dealer could see what service work had been carried out at other BMW garages so I knew it had service history. I bought a service book then got the servicing dealers to stamp it up for me. I had to visit about 3 different dealers. Here there will just be one. What's a book cost £25???

All the more reason to replace it before returning the car, then.