End of lease damage charges

andrewfromoxendon

Looking for some advise please.

I am disputing end of lease damage charges with the finance company who up until now have been amicable and helpful with any enquiries I have had throughout the lease term.

For some perspective the car is 3 years old and has done 56k miles. As far as I aware the car has not made physical contact with so much as a curb throughout the lease period and was leased new.

The total damage bill is less than £500

Somewhat disappointingly a couple of the items on the damage report are clearly within the fair wear & tear guidance so what legal grounds do they have for trying to claim compensation (single surface scratches less than 25mm) and I have accordingly requested for these to be removed. 

During the inspection the Manheim inspector notified me of a couple of the things he would be reporting. I couldn't believe it (for a 3 yr old car it is belting condition, full service history with the manufacturer). I told him that I disputed the minor scuffs he was pointing out were anything outside of fair wear and tear and he told me that the car was in excellent condition, probably wouldn't be charged and that I needed to take it up with the finance company. I thought no way am I signing anything but it wasn't an issue as he didn't ask me to (covid protocols?) 

Having raised the dispute with the finance company today I searched back through my emails to give the inspection report (that was emailed to me on the day of collection) a once over. To my absolute shock the customer signature box has been scribbled in, presumably be the inspector. The scribble is nothing like my signature which the finance company will be able to verify as I have signed multiple documents during the lease for extension and reduction in expected contract mileage. 

What relevance, if any,  does a forged signature have to my dispute of the damages? 

Grumpy_chap

andrewfromoxendon said:

Looking for some advise please.

I am disputing end of lease damage charges with the finance company who up until now have been amicable and helpful with any enquiries I have had throughout the lease term.

For some perspective the car is 3 years old and has done 56k miles. As far as I aware the car has not made physical contact with so much as a curb throughout the lease period and was leased new.

The total damage bill is less than £500

Somewhat disappointingly a couple of the items on the damage report are clearly within the fair wear & tear guidance so what legal grounds do they have for trying to claim compensation (single surface scratches less than 25mm) and I have accordingly requested for these to be removed. 

During the inspection the Manheim inspector notified me of a couple of the things he would be reporting. I couldn't believe it (for a 3 yr old car it is belting condition, full service history with the manufacturer). I told him that I disputed the minor scuffs he was pointing out were anything outside of fair wear and tear and he told me that the car was in excellent condition, probably wouldn't be charged and that I needed to take it up with the finance company. I thought no way am I signing anything but it wasn't an issue as he didn't ask me to (covid protocols?) 

Having raised the dispute with the finance company today I searched back through my emails to give the inspection report (that was emailed to me on the day of collection) a once over. To my absolute shock the customer signature box has been scribbled in, presumably be the inspector. The scribble is nothing like my signature which the finance company will be able to verify as I have signed multiple documents during the lease for extension and reduction in expected contract mileage. 

What relevance, if any,  does a forged signature have to my dispute of the damages? 

Are all of the items claimed reported on the damage report from the day of collection?  Did you dispute any of those when you received the report via e-mail or only after the costs were sent through?

I suspect they'll say that the signature is a "pp" because of COVID.

andrewfromoxendon

Grumpy_chap said:

Are all of the items claimed reported on the damage report from the day of collection?  Did you dispute any of those when you received the report via e-mail or only after the costs were sent through?

I suspect they'll say that the signature is a "pp" because of COVID.

Yes the cost sheet lists the same items to the inspection report, albeit on the inspection report there is no measurements.

I did not dispute on receipt of the report because I viewed all the entries as fair wear & tear so was not expecting an invoice.

It's hardly credible when some of the items are blatantly within the BVLA fair wear and tear guidance. 

I am totally fine with paying for anything that isn't fair wear and tear but the guidelines are just that, a guide, so there will always be room for ambiguity. Where the guidelines are clear cut, such as measurements, a photo with a measure should be conclusive so I will wait and see. I would also expect the measurements to be shown from the time the vehicle was inspected on my driveway. Would they be beyond extending a scratch a little to ensure they could charge me for it.... ?

BOWFER

You say you've queried it, I'd wait for their reply.
The internet is full of stories of people being billed by lease companies, querying them and never hearing a thing again.
A cynic could suggest they try it on and hope the recipient is a pushover.

Grey_Critic

This reminds me of Motability 20 years ago. They expected the cars to be as priistine as the day they came out of the showroom. I do know that there were many arguments.

The question is what is considered fair wear and tear?

Jenni_D

Grey_Critic said:

The question is what is considered fair wear and tear?

Isn't that covered in the BVRLA guidelines?

BOWFER

Jenni_D said:

Grey_Critic said:

The question is what is considered fair wear and tear?

Isn't that covered in the BVRLA guidelines?

Yes, and they're actually pretty lenient.
Every wheel allowed kerb marks and every panel allowed one small dent (some lease companies like Kia will send you a template to hold over dents and judge the size).
I know I've never, ever had a car in such bad condition.