Leaving dashcam wiring when return car at end of PCP?

Contessa

I'm returning my car soon when the PCP ends. I have front and rear Nextbase dashcams that were hardwired by Nextbase mobile fitters.  A dealer advised me to remove the two dashcams but leave the wiring as this would be cheaper than getting a mobile fitter. I'm wondering if I will be charged if I leave the wiring. I'd be grateful if anyone has experience or advice to offer. Thank you.

DullGreyGuy

Did you get their permission to fit the hardwiring? If so does it state it must be fully removed before return? 

Personally would be tucking the wiring behind the trim so from a casual inspection there is no sign it was ever there. 

Grey_Critic

Many years ago radios were an optional extra. those in the know used to reject radios on some makes as the wiring and speakers was actually fitted as standard with a blanking plate for the radio space. Just tuck it out of sight - a doubt anyone will be looking unless they also are fitting a dash cam. When I changed mine I gave them the wiring kit and asled asked them to hard wire my camera in. Did not charge me for doing so.

Contessa

DullGreyGuy said:

Did you get their permission to fit the hardwiring? If so does it state it must be fully removed before return? 

Personally would be tucking the wiring behind the trim so from a casual inspection there is no sign it was ever there. 

DullGreyGuy said:

Did you get their permission to fit the hardwiring? If so does it state it must be fully removed before return? 

Personally would be tucking the wiring behind the trim so from a casual inspection there is no sign it was ever there. 

Requesting permission never crossed my mind! I'll tuck the wiring away and keep my fingers crossed. Thank you.

Contessa

Another tuck it away and keep quiet opinion. Thank you.

DullGreyGuy

Contessa said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Did you get their permission to fit the hardwiring? If so does it state it must be fully removed before return? 

Personally would be tucking the wiring behind the trim so from a casual inspection there is no sign it was ever there. 

DullGreyGuy said:

Did you get their permission to fit the hardwiring? If so does it state it must be fully removed before return? 

Personally would be tucking the wiring behind the trim so from a casual inspection there is no sign it was ever there. 

Requesting permission never crossed my mind! I'll tuck the wiring away and keep my fingers crossed. Thank you.

Presumably there is no equity in it hence you are returning it to the finance company rather than using it as trade in for another vehicle or selling it yourself? Using it for trade in is totally different to surrendering it back to the finance. 

Legally it's not your car until you've finished paying for it and so in principle you should get their permission before making mods. Else its like renting your house out for a weekend and then coming back in after and finding someone has wired up a set of disco lights and speakers in your lounge, some may think its fun, some may hate it but either way they shouldn't have done it without asking you. If going back to the finance company then in my experience the checks arent that in-depth and just hiding the evidence is likely to be ok. 

Alanp

Be handy to leave it if the next owner has the same dash cam

Contessa

Yes, I thought it would be useful for a subsequent owner to have the wiring left. I've looked at the list of charges but it's not mentioned. 

Mildly_Miffed

Contessa said:

Requesting permission never crossed my mind!

It's always worth bearing in mind that with PCP and lease, the car is NOT your property. It belongs to the financier.

With PCP, it can become your property if you pay the balloon.
With lease, it will never become your property unless the financier offer to sell it to you at the end of the lease.

With hire-purchase, loans, or similar finance models, it IS your property, unless the financier need to repossess it.

Alanp

If the op tucks the wiring behind the headlining , no one is going to inspect it too closely I wouldn’t have thought, unless there’s signs of damage, I’d just tuck it out of sight, worse case is they’d make you pay for its removal..

Contessa

Update
The car was inspected and driven away today. I was unable to remove the rear dashcam and couldn't tuck away much of the front wiring so tucked it up behind the passenger visor. The examiner never mentioned it verbally or in his report.
Grade 1

Phew!

Thank you to all who took the time to respond.