VWFS - attitude at end of lease?

[Mark V GTD]

Thats interesting Sid - I have always made sure my VW/Audi cars were 100% clean inside and out for inspection/collection.

[Spidersleg]

Find that very hard to believe.

[EvoSid]

Mark V GTD said:

Thats interesting Sid - I have always made sure my VW/Audi cars were 100% clean inside and out for inspection/collection.

Makes it easier for them to see all the marks , scratches , dents etc

[EvoSid]

Spidersleg said:

Find that very hard to believe.

Believe what you want but it is how I handed it back in December and no issues were found with the car. Once it leaves it was not my issue
Plus why would I lie / make this up.
Think of it logically. Filthy car means hard to spot faults. Clean car easy to spot faults.
What has been your experience

[Mark V GTD]

My experience is that if the car is not in a state or situation where it can be properly inspected they will do a subsequent inspection later. Thats what I was told last year when they arrived to take away my Audi A4 after dark!

Wasn't very happy as the appointment was for the morning and the guy was very late - also I had the car beautifully presented and was concerned in case it got damaged between him collecting it and their own inspection later on.

As it happens it was fine and no issues found but I would prefer to be there when the inspection is done.

[EvoSid]

Mark V GTD said:

My experience is that if the car is not in a state or situation where it can be properly inspected they will do a subsequent inspection later. Thats what I was told last year when they arrived to take away my Audi A4 after dark!

Wasn't very happy as the appointment was for the morning and the guy was very late - also I had the car beautifully presented and was concerned in case it got damaged between him collecting it and their own inspection later on.

As it happens it was fine and no issues found but I would prefer to be there when the inspection is done.

Once it is has left your care they have no comeback

[Spidersleg]

EvoSid said:

Spidersleg said:

Find that very hard to believe.

Believe what you want but it is how I handed it back in December and no issues were found with the car. Once it leaves it was not my issue
Plus why would I lie / make this up.
Think of it logically. Filthy car means hard to spot faults. Clean car easy to spot faults.
What has been your experience

My last car went back immaculate, clean in and out, with no charges.
How were you not charged with at the very least, a valet?!

[Borodude]

I've got a 20 month old golf gti from Leasing4u. I cant find anything in the paperwork to see if its from vwfs, arval or whoever. Is there an easy way to find out? I have been bitten before by very over-zealous final inspection and the diamond cut alloys have blistered in the middle. I've tried and cannot get vw to repair them under warranty (I never scuff the wheels - definitely a manufacturing fault) and fear the hit I'll get at hand-back.
Thanks

[PenelopaPitstop]

You must have signed finance agreement, so that will give you more details about finance company.

Also, your direct debit should give some indication where your money goes.

[Borodude]

PenelopaPitstop said:

You must have signed finance agreement, so that will give you more details about finance company.

Also, your direct debit should give some indication where your money goes.

Found it - thanks. Its ALD automotive and their repair prices are pretty scary, e.g. Alloy wheel = £60 to £600 per wheel?!!

[jutsu]

Borodude said:

I've got a 20 month old golf gti from Leasing4u. I cant find anything in the paperwork to see if its from vwfs, arval or whoever. Is there an easy way to find out? I have been bitten before by very over-zealous final inspection and the diamond cut alloys have blistered in the middle. I've tried and cannot get vw to repair them under warranty (I never scuff the wheels - definitely a manufacturing fault) and fear the hit I'll get at hand-back.
Thanks

I had a similar experience with BMW diamond cut alloys (313m style), but they changed their tune when I posted photographs of the wheels on their Facebook page and they replaced all 4 alloy wheels as a gesture of goodwill. If you haven't already maybe try posting on their VW UK social media accounts. I appreciate VW may not do the same as BMW but it doesn't hurt to try.

Edited by jutsu on Monday 1st February 21:10

[jutsu]

Borodude said:

I've got a 20 month old golf gti from Leasing4u. I cant find anything in the paperwork to see if its from vwfs, arval or whoever. Is there an easy way to find out? I have been bitten before by very over-zealous final inspection and the diamond cut alloys have blistered in the middle. I've tried and cannot get vw to repair them under warranty (I never scuff the wheels - definitely a manufacturing fault) and fear the hit I'll get at hand-back.
Thanks

I had a similar experience with BMW diamond cut alloys (313m style), but they changed their tune when I posted photographs of the wheels on their Facebook page and they replaced all 4 alloy wheels as a gesture of goodwill. If you haven't already maybe try posting on their VW UK social media accounts. I appreciate VW may not do the same as BMW but it doesn't hurt to try.

Edited by jutsu on Monday 1st February 21:10

[The Chevalier de Recci]

Borodude said:

I've got a 20 month old golf gti from Leasing4u. I cant find anything in the paperwork to see if its from vwfs, arval or whoever. Is there an easy way to find out? I have been bitten before by very over-zealous final inspection and the diamond cut alloys have blistered in the middle. I've tried and cannot get vw to repair them under warranty (I never scuff the wheels - definitely a manufacturing fault) and fear the hit I'll get at hand-back.
Thanks

I handed back a Golf R at 24 months to VWFS where the front Cadiz alloys were blistered and bubbling in the centre of each wheel around the centre badge. Inspector and I chatted about how poor it was for this to have happened after 2 years and 18k. Me being charged was never mentioned.
Being cautious I had put on a show and really given the car a through cleaning even blacking the tyres and hoover striping the carpets.In hindsight I think there was no need he was more pleased that I had left some fuel in it and gave him a kitkat with his tea.

[Borodude]

jutsu said:

I had a similar experience with BMW diamond cut alloys (313m style), but they changed their tune when I posted photographs of the wheels on their Facebook page and they replaced all 4 alloy wheels as a gesture of goodwill. If you haven't already maybe try posting on their VWFS UK social media accounts. I appreciate VWFS may not do the same as BMW but it doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I take it you mean FB? I'll put the pics on here for comment, I'm really p'd off because theres no way its anything I've done to the car.

[Borodude]

The Chevalier de Recci said:

I handed back a Golf R at 24 months to VWFS where the front Cadiz alloys were blistered and bubbling in the centre of each wheel around the centre badge. Inspector and I chatted about how poor it was for this to have happened after 2 years and 18k. Me being charged was never mentioned.
Being cautious I had put on a show and really given the car a through cleaning even blacking the tyres and hoover striping the carpets.In hindsight I think there was no need he was more pleased that I had left some fuel in it and gave him a kitkat with his tea.

I seem to only have had the demon inspectors (had about 7 lease cars). Car is always mega clean and tidy and minimal issues - until they get their pen and clipboard out.... Always serve up tea and biccies too!

Just searched for ALD Automotive - their reviews on trustpilot are overwhelmingly atrocious...

[jutsu]

Borodude said:

jutsu said:

I had a similar experience with BMW diamond cut alloys (313m style), but they changed their tune when I posted photographs of the wheels on their Facebook page and they replaced all 4 alloy wheels as a gesture of goodwill. If you haven't already maybe try posting on their VWFS UK social media accounts. I appreciate VWFS may not do the same as BMW but it doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I take it you mean FB? I'll put the pics on here for comment, I'm really p'd off because theres no way its anything I've done to the car.

Yes but I changed my post to VW (manufacturer) and not VWFS who have nothing todo with the warranty.

[NeilMick]

So My Golf R was collected on the 18th January after I paid the settlement figure at the end of December. However as this was not in time for 1st January they also took that payment.

Come today and they have also taken a payment for February even though I've returned the car.

Should I cancel the direct debit? There were end of lease charges of £39 for a chipped windscreen but heard nothing about this.

They now owe me about £250 even after the charges, will I need to chase them about them or will they just return refund then?

[PenelopaPitstop]

If you want to see your money any time soon, you have to chase them. Otherwise it will be months or never before they realise they shouldn't charge you. Since they already took your Feb payment, you can leave DD in place, so they can refund you this way.

[Mark V GTD]

Same happened to me several times after an early hand back. They even put a non payment notice on my credit score!

In the end I just contacted the bank and got the money refunded via the direct debit scheme very easily and fast. I then contacted VWFS by letter to raise a complaint and they eventually apologised, gave me a discount on the additional mileage charge and removed the missed payment mark. All OK in the end but stupid and unnecessary at the time.

[k1ss0ff]

Just to update on my situation.. for the damage 5 scrapes on the rear bumper i got charged for 1 panel = £110.

Despite declaring the damage on the front sensor and grille during the inspection, I got the final invoice through just showing the expected £110 charge.

Has anyone encountered multiple final invoices, or have I dodged a bullet?? ☺️