Europcar is charging me for damages I did not make

Hello all
In December last year I rented a car in Italy with Europcar. I returned it with no damages and with a full tank.
I can go into more details if needed but Europcar has tried to charge me for damages to the car 4 months after I returned it. I have not paid these charges to them and sent them several emails explaining why I am refusing to pay. They have replied to my emails ignoring every single one of the points I made and I have now received a letter from a credit collection company.

Whilst I do not have the paper that they give you when you return the car, because it was never given to me (and 4 months later i doubt I would still have it in the house anyway), I have an invoice from February where they charged me for extra fuel (which I did not dispute - long story). To me, if there had been any damage, it should have been raised at that time...

The amount they want me to pay is “just” €218, which I could afford to do but I simply DO NOT WANT to as I think they are just trying to rip me off.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Should I ignore the credit recovery letter?

Comments

  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,403 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    When you collected and returned the car it is normal for hire companies to inspect the car for any damage and mark it on a sheet you sign. This sheet is then used on return to check there is no new damage. Ask for a copy of this sheet and if they can't provide it signed by you just say prove it was me.
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
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