VWFS - attitude at end of lease?
Discussion
MattS5 said:
I’m also cancelling the direct debit to ensure they take no more payments for the period after 27th.
I’ve read elsewhere that BMW are telling customers it’s their responsibility to insure and continue to pay for it.
That’s not happening! .
Unless vwfs say otherwise I'm sure you are responsible for insurance until it's collected. That had been my experience with 2 previous lease cars from them. Most likely they wouldn't charge you rental as it's not your fault you can't have the car collected, as they didn't charge me when BCA couldn't collect my car for 2 weeks. I’ve read elsewhere that BMW are telling customers it’s their responsibility to insure and continue to pay for it.
That’s not happening! .
Spidersleg said:
MattS5 said:
I’m also cancelling the direct debit to ensure they take no more payments for the period after 27th.
I’ve read elsewhere that BMW are telling customers it’s their responsibility to insure and continue to pay for it.
That’s not happening! .
Unless vwfs say otherwise I'm sure you are responsible for insurance until it's collected. That had been my experience with 2 previous lease cars from them. Most likely they wouldn't charge you rental as it's not your fault you can't have the car collected, as they didn't charge me when BCA couldn't collect my car for 2 weeks. I’ve read elsewhere that BMW are telling customers it’s their responsibility to insure and continue to pay for it.
That’s not happening! .
They are going to have to release some official guidance at some point very soon. If the vehicles are not going to be collected any time soon, it surely has to fall to VWFS to cover the outstanding cars with some form of insurance policy.
I have already purchased a replacement vehicle, as others have done also, and plan to switch the insurance over shortly. How can VWFS expect people to pay for 2 insurance policies? Especially when one is out of contract and not being driven.
I have already purchased a replacement vehicle, as others have done also, and plan to switch the insurance over shortly. How can VWFS expect people to pay for 2 insurance policies? Especially when one is out of contract and not being driven.
Even a blanket email to all customers outlining that they need to continue to insure cars, with refunds being made available at a later date, would be sensible.
But nope, nothing.
Even the email from BCA received today just stated they won't be collecting for at least 3 weeks.
Their helpline goes straight to a recorded "closed office" message.
Very poor business continuity planning for financial services company.
My agreement finishes on Friday. After that, it's not my responsibility as far as I see it, nor have I been told anything to the contrary.
But nope, nothing.
Even the email from BCA received today just stated they won't be collecting for at least 3 weeks.
Their helpline goes straight to a recorded "closed office" message.
Very poor business continuity planning for financial services company.
My agreement finishes on Friday. After that, it's not my responsibility as far as I see it, nor have I been told anything to the contrary.
I have exactly the same issue. Car was due to be collected today. Got a text this morning to say collection cancelled.
Insurance already switched to my new car. I have emailed VWFS to tell them I am happy to store their car until they can collect it but that they will need to arrange insurance.
Interestingly I got a quote from my insurer this pm to cover an additional car on a temporary basis to see what the cost would be. For 30 days (max available) the quote was £200. If they do not collect the car for 3-4 months the costs would mount up.
I cannot see how the customer can be asked to foot the bill though as the agreement has ended. But lets see what they come back with tomorrow.
Insurance already switched to my new car. I have emailed VWFS to tell them I am happy to store their car until they can collect it but that they will need to arrange insurance.
Interestingly I got a quote from my insurer this pm to cover an additional car on a temporary basis to see what the cost would be. For 30 days (max available) the quote was £200. If they do not collect the car for 3-4 months the costs would mount up.
I cannot see how the customer can be asked to foot the bill though as the agreement has ended. But lets see what they come back with tomorrow.
MattS5 said:
Small issue in the grand scheme of what’s going on in the wider world, but I’m assuming they’ll not be taking further payments at least.
Since changing cars early with VWFS earlier this month I have had four unauthorised and random payments taken in addition to the correct initial payment for the new car. Two were made against the old agreement and two against the new one. I was able to get them all back the next working day thankfully, via the banks DD indemnity scheme but the last lot a few days ago was almost £700.Sadly VWFS are a shambles now.
Watching this thread with interest. My lease ends on 28th April. I had tried to book collection on the BCA portal (before it stopped being used) and received an error message that they basically didn't have my details. So I don't have a collection booked and now cannot book one. I called VWFS yesterday who have put a grace period on account so I won't get charged for any extension but as for insurance, he said currently it would be my responsibility but advised to call back next week as there may be an update (this was after I informed him I was aware of other companies covering the insurance in similar scenarios). I'm happy to agree to not using the car and just leaving it on the drive until I can arrange a collection.
Just found this on VWFS website:
My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
pablo36 said:
Just found this on VWFS website:
My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
Great.... Do we know if this is newly added info? Still not had a response from either of my emails!My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
BIRCH526 said:
pablo36 said:
Just found this on VWFS website:
My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
Great.... Do we know if this is newly added info? Still not had a response from either of my emails!My car was due to be collected and now won’t be and I don’t want to extend the contract, what should I do?
If your vehicle is due for collection and you choose not to extend the contract we advise the following:
You must not use the car
You should keep the car in a safe place (preferably off-road) and fully insured
During this time and until your vehicle is collected we will continue to tax the vehicle to avoid fines from the DVLA. If the contract has ended and you have requested a collection, we will not charge you from the date of your requested collection even if we are unable to physically collect the vehicle. The vehicle inspection will take place in the usual way once our operational service resumes. Our collections partner is already booking appointments based on the proposed end of government restrictions and will rebook these if the measures are extended.
If at any point your circumstances change and you want to extend your vehicle contracts, we will be happy to arrange this.
So it looks like they are placing burden of insurance on customer and no mention of reimbursement.
I do not think that it is reasonable to say you can't use the car but you need to insure it.
I found it here:
https://www.vwfsfleet.co.uk/covid-19-FAQ/#my-car-w...
Not sure having looked again whether this applies to personal leases though sorry.
https://www.vwfsfleet.co.uk/covid-19-FAQ/#my-car-w...
Not sure having looked again whether this applies to personal leases though sorry.
Just looking through my old documents, all my VWFS contracts state words to the effect 'while the agreement is in force the vehicle must be comprehensively insured' - which suggests that at the end of the hiring period it's their problem.
However a collection email from Alphabet who were the broker for my last lease states 'Please ensure that the vehicle is fully insured until it is physically collected from you – Alphabet will not accept liability for any uninsured damages or theft to the vehicle prior to collection.'
However a collection email from Alphabet who were the broker for my last lease states 'Please ensure that the vehicle is fully insured until it is physically collected from you – Alphabet will not accept liability for any uninsured damages or theft to the vehicle prior to collection.'
doesthiswork said:
Just looking through my old documents, all my VWFS contracts state words to the effect 'while the agreement is in force the vehicle must be comprehensively insured' - which suggests that at the end of the hiring period it's their problem.
However a collection email from Alphabet who were the broker for my last lease states 'Please ensure that the vehicle is fully insured until it is physically collected from you – Alphabet will not accept liability for any uninsured damages or theft to the vehicle prior to collection.'
there is no way that it would stand up in a court of law. You're not a vehicle storage service. You'd be within your rights to charge them a storage fee.However a collection email from Alphabet who were the broker for my last lease states 'Please ensure that the vehicle is fully insured until it is physically collected from you – Alphabet will not accept liability for any uninsured damages or theft to the vehicle prior to collection.'
Contract has expired.
They (VWFS or BCA) haven't contacted me in any way whatsoever to ask I insure the vehicle.
The vehicle is their responsibility now. Albeit parked in my driveway.
The new one they delivered last week is my responsibility, they take the deposit next week, all the paperwork arrived today.
They (VWFS or BCA) haven't contacted me in any way whatsoever to ask I insure the vehicle.
The vehicle is their responsibility now. Albeit parked in my driveway.
The new one they delivered last week is my responsibility, they take the deposit next week, all the paperwork arrived today.
MattS5 said:
Contract has expired.
They (VWFS or BCA) haven't contacted me in any way whatsoever to ask I insure the vehicle.
The vehicle is their responsibility now. Albeit parked in my driveway.
The new one they delivered last week is my responsibility, they take the deposit next week, all the paperwork arrived today.
You should start charging them storage costs They (VWFS or BCA) haven't contacted me in any way whatsoever to ask I insure the vehicle.
The vehicle is their responsibility now. Albeit parked in my driveway.
The new one they delivered last week is my responsibility, they take the deposit next week, all the paperwork arrived today.
Just received this email:
Dear Customer,
At Audi Financial Services our priority is to keep people driving their cars. We know that the Government’s latest advice will be concerning and causing disruption to your usual lives, but we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to support our customers.
We are regularly monitoring updates from the Government and working with the regulator to best understand how the current situation may impact individuals and businesses so that we can support you.
You have an appointment booked in for us to collect your vehicle, however due to COVID-19 and the recent enforcements made by the Government we are unable to carry out the original appointment.
Due to these exceptional circumstances, we want to help our customers by providing an additional option for you to extend your current finance agreement for up to 6 months. The contractual terms and monthly payment of your current agreement will remain the same.
To arrange this option please complete this form.
If you do not wish to extend your contract please be aware we will not be able to proceed with collection until the Government restrictions have been lifted. Until we are able to rearrange collection please follow the below important steps;
- The vehicle must not under any circumstance be driven*
- Keep the vehicle safe, locked, secure and where possible store the vehicle off the road and on private land
- Please remove all personal belongings, keys and keyless entry devices
- We will ensure the vehicle is taxed as appropriate throughout this period
- In the event the vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire, you must immediately notify us and the police and obtain a crime reference number
Please note, you will not be charged your monthly rental for the period between your contract end date and collection. Standard end of contract terms will still apply for damage and excess mileage once the vehicle is collected and inspected.
We’d ask you do not contact us at this stage unless it is urgent, we are providing a reduced telephony service and dealing with a much higher number of calls than usual. Once we are able to arrange collection of the vehicle our collection agents will contact you.
Thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience during this period.
If you have any further queries about your finance agreement please visit customer.vwfs.co.uk.
So no mention of requiring customer to insure the vehicle but neither does it say they are. But I feel this justifies me not insuring it as they have not asked me to.
Dear Customer,
At Audi Financial Services our priority is to keep people driving their cars. We know that the Government’s latest advice will be concerning and causing disruption to your usual lives, but we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to support our customers.
We are regularly monitoring updates from the Government and working with the regulator to best understand how the current situation may impact individuals and businesses so that we can support you.
You have an appointment booked in for us to collect your vehicle, however due to COVID-19 and the recent enforcements made by the Government we are unable to carry out the original appointment.
Due to these exceptional circumstances, we want to help our customers by providing an additional option for you to extend your current finance agreement for up to 6 months. The contractual terms and monthly payment of your current agreement will remain the same.
To arrange this option please complete this form.
If you do not wish to extend your contract please be aware we will not be able to proceed with collection until the Government restrictions have been lifted. Until we are able to rearrange collection please follow the below important steps;
- The vehicle must not under any circumstance be driven*
- Keep the vehicle safe, locked, secure and where possible store the vehicle off the road and on private land
- Please remove all personal belongings, keys and keyless entry devices
- We will ensure the vehicle is taxed as appropriate throughout this period
- In the event the vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire, you must immediately notify us and the police and obtain a crime reference number
Please note, you will not be charged your monthly rental for the period between your contract end date and collection. Standard end of contract terms will still apply for damage and excess mileage once the vehicle is collected and inspected.
We’d ask you do not contact us at this stage unless it is urgent, we are providing a reduced telephony service and dealing with a much higher number of calls than usual. Once we are able to arrange collection of the vehicle our collection agents will contact you.
Thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience during this period.
If you have any further queries about your finance agreement please visit customer.vwfs.co.uk.
So no mention of requiring customer to insure the vehicle but neither does it say they are. But I feel this justifies me not insuring it as they have not asked me to.
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