Returning lease car, return agent spotted 'marks' in repair
Discussion
Just had my lease car collected, the collection agent pointed out marks in the paint, even with his stripy card I was struggling to see them. One was apparently in the rear O/S bumper and another apparently in the N/S rear door where it was repainted following a car park hit and run ( paint damage no dent). I'm trying to contact the repair company to see if they painted the bumper when they were doing the door. If they are responsible for these 'marks' are they liable for the charges? I've been quoted £140 for one panel and £175 for the other panel. I personally think the guy was bang out of order and even with the card I could only just see one mark as a slight wave in the lacquer, it was obvious to him as he 'used to work in a body shop'.
Edited by CloudyNight on Tuesday 18th July 14:30
That seems harsh - glad I never had an inspector like that! I was terrified last time I gave a car back - it had spent a week baking in sun and covered in seagull poo which had eaten through the lacquer- Mercedes E class in a design Hyacinth Red. It was ruined and imo needed a respray. They never spotted it.
I’d just contest it and refuse to pay your place, OP.
I’d just contest it and refuse to pay your place, OP.
Dog Star said:
That seems harsh - glad I never had an inspector like that! I was terrified last time I gave a car back - it had spent a week baking in sun and covered in seagull poo which had eaten through the lacquer- Mercedes E class in a design Hyacinth Red. It was ruined and imo needed a respray. They never spotted it.
I’d just contest it and refuse to pay your place, OP.
Harsh indeed, I particularly annoyed as I’d spend last Saturday with cutting compound going round the entire car removing even the slightest hint of a scratch in the lacquer. I think it was shinier than when we got it! I’d just contest it and refuse to pay your place, OP.
What’s the legal implications of not paying? Would they just take me to the small claims? I’d happily argue in front of any judge that the guy was being over the top.
Edited by CloudyNight on Tuesday 18th July 16:07
What I did was to engage them and dispute matters by physical mail. When you receive your bill dispute it. But wait a month before replying.
Then send your pics. Ask for theirs. Any reply (by snail mail) - wait a month.
By the time they even send a reply the car will be long gone through auction. They won’t fix your alleged damage either - just make a deduction.
As long as you are engaging them in dialogue (your letters) they can’t send the bailiffs round. This has been my strategy in the past - other readers views may differ.
Then send your pics. Ask for theirs. Any reply (by snail mail) - wait a month.
By the time they even send a reply the car will be long gone through auction. They won’t fix your alleged damage either - just make a deduction.
As long as you are engaging them in dialogue (your letters) they can’t send the bailiffs round. This has been my strategy in the past - other readers views may differ.
Is the mark that slight vertical line in the centre of the card? if not I can't see any damage to be honest.
I think they're being extremely harsh trying to charge for that and I'd be disputing it through the proper channels.
What does the lease agreement say about 'wear and tear'? its been my experience they usually define pretty thoroughly what is considered chargeable damage, e.g. scratches bigger than 10mm/ down to bare metal etc. I'd be shocked if that 'damage' falls within that category.
I think they're being extremely harsh trying to charge for that and I'd be disputing it through the proper channels.
What does the lease agreement say about 'wear and tear'? its been my experience they usually define pretty thoroughly what is considered chargeable damage, e.g. scratches bigger than 10mm/ down to bare metal etc. I'd be shocked if that 'damage' falls within that category.
They'll be classing it as 'damage' rather than 'fair wear and tear'.
It does seem rather harsh, though. How large are the marks? Were you given anything to say that paint scratches / marks below a certain size would be ignored?
PS: This might be useful reading if the leasing company is a BVRLA member: https://www.bvrla.co.uk/resource/returning-your-le...
It does seem rather harsh, though. How large are the marks? Were you given anything to say that paint scratches / marks below a certain size would be ignored?
PS: This might be useful reading if the leasing company is a BVRLA member: https://www.bvrla.co.uk/resource/returning-your-le...
May I ask if this was Mannheim Auctions doing the collection / inspection? Fight it all the way. I had to do exactly this on a £110 a month rental Cactus which they claimed had been fully resprayed using their 'magic board'......when in fact, it was just horrific factory paint. (For context, this was a 12 month lease via PSA / Free2Move.....we covered 4k miles in it, it was cared for like our own, washed weekly and never had so much of a sniff as scratch or dent). Utter scam artists.
MattyD803 said:
May I ask if this was Mannheim Auctions doing the collection / inspection? Fight it all the way. I had to do exactly this on a £110 a month rental Cactus which they claimed had been fully resprayed using their 'magic board'......when in fact, it was just horrific factory paint. (For context, this was a 12 month lease via PSA / Free2Move.....we covered 4k miles in it, it was cared for like our own, washed weekly and never had so much of a sniff as scratch or dent). Utter scam artists.
Yes it is! Must be a good money spinner for them. I will certainly be fighting it all the way. Dispute with them. I've leased cars for over 10 years and had variable return experiences but never used that particularly company.
Worst was a return during COVID. The guy was adamant I go no way near him or the car during inspection but I'd get the report through. When it did come it declared 'the customer agreed with the charges but couldn't sign due to covid' did I hell. He just made stuff up, I contested and they eventually just gave up and I didn't pay a penny. The irony was I was expecting and willing to pay for a couple of marks and they got nowt in the end.
Worst was a return during COVID. The guy was adamant I go no way near him or the car during inspection but I'd get the report through. When it did come it declared 'the customer agreed with the charges but couldn't sign due to covid' did I hell. He just made stuff up, I contested and they eventually just gave up and I didn't pay a penny. The irony was I was expecting and willing to pay for a couple of marks and they got nowt in the end.
An XC60 a few years ago had a minor repair to a door, they blew in both doors, the wing and rear quarter, it was done at a proper body shop attached to the local Mercedes dealer. I’m very fussy and it was a great job, took months to notice a minor edge that I polished away in 5 minutes.
A year later the auction inspector rocks up, uses a paint thickness guage and depress it a sub standard repair, full repaint required 4 panels.
My lease company rejected this, but they seemed to just use the paint thickness guage to identify repainted to panels that are otherwise flawless. Other lease co.s may put these through.
Chancers.
A year later the auction inspector rocks up, uses a paint thickness guage and depress it a sub standard repair, full repaint required 4 panels.
My lease company rejected this, but they seemed to just use the paint thickness guage to identify repainted to panels that are otherwise flawless. Other lease co.s may put these through.
Chancers.
i think the best rule is deny all knowledge of any paintwork, paint doesn't come perfect from the factory and many receive repairs before initial delivery. Unless they have pictures from the same angles in the same light with the same boards showing perfection on delivery i don't think they have much to argue with..
Canon_Fodder said:
As others have said, just deny their absurd claim.
I've had 12 lease cars over the years and 8 had these type of silly attempts at a claim on return and I never paid a penny to any of them.
Comically, the one car i did damage (by grounding it) the inspector missed it completely
My last one to go back had a mobile phone shaped dent on the roof when the Mrs closed the boot with a phone stuck in the gap. Inspection bloke missed than and picked up on a tiny scratch on scuff plate of drivers door. They wanted £30 for it. Ignored the letter and haven't heard a thing since about that or a big mother f*****g dent I've had 12 lease cars over the years and 8 had these type of silly attempts at a claim on return and I never paid a penny to any of them.
Comically, the one car i did damage (by grounding it) the inspector missed it completely
steveo3002 said:
struggling to see a defect there , shame salesmen arent so fussy when its time to prep a car for sale
Me too even when I was standing right in front of it. I'm sure whatever he could see was there since the car was built. Reading trust pilot reviews of the company they seem to have form for this.Canon_Fodder said:
That guide is more than generous in terms of what is acceptable. And a magnitude more lenient than the apparent 'mark' in the paint.Speed Matters | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff