Car End of Lease Damage Charges

Blasie

I handed my 5 year old car back last week and the man who checked the car for damages, turned up, I handed both sets of keys to him and he started to look over the car, which was parked in a town centre car park, as we have no parking.

As far as I was concerned, legally, as soon as I have handed over the keys the car is in his possession.   I did not stay with him for the whole 2 hours he was checking the car as I had to go back to check my children. I did not realize he would take so long.

I had already gone over my car and had spotted about 5 small marks/scratches and a small mark on the seat. I knew that some ‘damage’ might come under fair wear and tear.

I was really surprised at how intently he looked for damage that could not be seen with the naked eye. He was taking photos and I said are you taking photos of damage, he then said yes, here is a scratch. I could not see anything, and so I took photos too, hoping to enlarge them later to see if there was actually any damage.

Again, I left him to it, and 30 minutes later I came back and he was still at it. He said that will come to 600 pounds plus VAT.

I was really shocked – I said well you must be on commission then. When I walked round to the other side of the car there was a scratch there that hadn’t been there before, I had taken photos previously, but it’s not possible to take professional enough photos to cover the whole car in great detail.

My question is this:   are these people on commission?   Has anyone any advice for me when the bill turns up in my email box?  

One thing for certain is: I will never, ever get another lease car.

Penelopa.Pitstop

You don't give enough information. Who financed the car? Founder decides on return charges and how detailed is the check. Was it PSA? Pink Leasing? Never had longer than 15 minutes check with BCA and Manheim and leased (PCH) more than 5 cars so far.

5 years is also very long period for lease? Are you sure it's wasn't PCP?  And with 5 years long contract, there's always bigger chance of damages to the car than let say 2-3 years long.

Thrugelmir

Blasie said:

My question is this:   are these people on commission?  

No. They are paid to look after the leasing company's financial interests. An inspection at the end of the contact would have been in the terms you agreed to. Not having the time isn't the leasing company's issue. Will be no defence in disputing the charges levied. 

motorguy

As per Penelopa's comment, a 5 year old car on a lease would be very rare?

Was it a PCP?  Who was the agreement with?

scrappy_returns

2 hours to inspect? You could have serviced and washed it in that time 

Jenni_D

motorguy said:

As per Penelopa's comment, a 5 year old car on a lease would be very rare?

Perhaps it was a company car? My previous company car was a supposed 4 year lease (which is typical), but I actually ended up having it for 5 1/4 years. My current company car I'll have had for 4 1/2 years if my new Volvo arrives when expected.

motorguy

Jenni_D said:

motorguy said:

As per Penelopa's comment, a 5 year old car on a lease would be very rare?

Perhaps it was a company car? My previous company car was a supposed 4 year lease (which is typical), but I actually ended up having it for 5 1/4 years. My current company car I'll have had for 4 1/2 years if my new Volvo arrives when expected.

Yup.  Just interested in getting all the info so we can best advise

[Deleted User]

You can always challenge the amount they want on the basis that a few marks here and there on a 5 year old car is fair wear and tear. They tend to go in high and try to claim for everything in the hope that you will just pay it, but once you kick up a fuss they give a more realistic figure or just drop it entirely.

Blasie

Thanks yes ut was supposed to be 4 years but due to Covid they kept cancelling the damage  inspection checks.  I believe he said it was Manheim. But it was through RCI.  I will have  to wait until I get the email with all charges listed, as the company who do the checks will not doubt be listed on there.  
Just to be clear it had just been MOTd and had been thoroughly valeted. 

Blasie

And yes I will be fighting all unfair charges. Even if I have to go to the ombudsman. Although don't hold out much hope there.  

motorguy

Blasie said:

And yes I will be fighting all unfair charges. Even if I have to go to the ombudsman. Although don't hold out much hope there.  

This is the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide which they pretty much all comply with.

https://issuu.com/bfwsn67/docs/bvrla_fair_wear_and_tear_standard_-_cb6bf45bb50403?e=2001091/30897824