VWFS End of Lease.. Cracked Windscreen....

[James-W]

Typical luck, windscreen has cracked 2 days before my car is getting collected at the end of my lease!

The car’s a Seat Leon Cupra and it’s BCA that’s inspecting it/collecting it same day. Has anyone ever been charged for a replacement screen or know the charge cost? I don’t think i’ll have enough time to get it replaced.

I’ve searched forums but only seen charges for chipped windscreens. Any help is much appreciated!

[dronnieboy]

Yep, mine was cracked on Touareg and they wanted £1500 to replace. Gave me time to get it fixed on insurance and they came to pick it up a week later.

[Rozzers]

I had the same issue last year when the screen was out of stock, phoned the lease co to explain and they extended the lease by a week to suit, dont even this they charged for the week.

[Auto810graphy]

As above, I would reschedule as BCA drivers can and more often than not will refuse to drive it so you will get an abortive charge.

[James-W]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Ill get on the phone to VWFS/BCA first thing to reschedule and see what happens from there.

[jonwm]

Had a cupra collected by BCA and the windscreen was chipped, they noted it but never heard anything back

[James-W]

jonwm said:

Had a cupra collected by BCA and the windscreen was chipped, they noted it but never heard anything back

Don’t really fancy my chances, we’re talking a hefty 20cm crack.

Sure I read somewhere “windscreen damage” was only £65 thru BCA but on many manufacturers damage matrix it’s “manufacturer to advise”. In BMWs case it’s a £150 contribution.

If I had the chance I’d rather pay a £150 fee for the sake of hassle, and having a claim on my insurance that will stay with me for a few years.

Shall see what they say tomorrow on the phone.

[James-W]

A heads up for anyone that lands in a similar boat.

Phoned VWFS & BCA and couldn’t get a straight answer from either of them what the penalty would be for a damaged windscreen. Both said to phone each other. A woman from BCA eventually said depending on the inspector/driver on the day that they wouldn’t take the car away due to the crack being too large (this could of been clarified in phonecall 1 of 5 and as auto810graphy mentioned! )

The option I had;
Extend lease by a month and delay BCA until windscreen is replaced. Totting up, this would cost a £75 excess for windscreen replacement, £260 on another months lease, roughly £50 added on my premium for the next cars insurance (i checked), and another month of insurance to arrange. VWFS did say if I returned it within the month I would be reimbursed for the days left of the months lease.. but Autoglass and my availability did not tie up well.

Very luckily.. a local auto glass shop has managed to get hold of a screen and will squeeze me in time for the car going back! At a very reasonable cost of £260

Here’s hoping it all goes well

Edited by James-W on Monday 13th January 11:05

[carreauchompeur]

Phew... didn’t realise windscreen replacement claim added so much to insurance!

[sjg]

Have the VWFS schedule in front of me and any windscreen crack is a replacement at "approved retailer pricing" (ie. what a dealer will charge), as is a chip in driver's line of sight.

Chip outside line of sight is a flat £39.

[James-W]

sjg said:

Have the VWFS schedule in front of me and any windscreen crack is a replacement at "approved retailer pricing" (ie. what a dealer will charge), as is a chip in driver's line of sight.

Chip outside line of sight is a flat £39.

I hunted for a VWFS schedule but couldn’t find one. You got a link for it too or just a paper copy? Found BMW & Mercedes easy enough online but not VW.

Not sure what a stealers price would be but I’d guess it ain’t cheap

[James-W]

carreauchompeur said:

Phew... didn’t realise windscreen replacement claim added so much to insurance!

I just did a quick check on a comparison site.. 10 years driving/no claims with same details for both quotes.

£442 without the added windshield claim
£494 with the claim, same details

+ for another 2-4 years as a declared claim depending on insurer

[sjg]

James-W said:

I hunted for a VWFS schedule but couldn’t find one. You got a link for it too or just a paper copy? Found BMW & Mercedes easy enough online but not VW.

Not sure what a stealers price would be but I’d guess it ain’t cheap

Paper copy sent through 2 months before the lease end date. If you give VWFS a call or email they should send it through early if you want it.

[James-W]

I was just sent through the BCA fair wear and tear guide but it didn’t provide any costings. If I lease again i’ll make sure to get hold of the schedule.

[pavarotti1980]

I have one somewhere. Will have a look and post link

[carreauchompeur]

James-W said:

carreauchompeur said:

Phew... didn’t realise windscreen replacement claim added so much to insurance!

I just did a quick check on a comparison site.. 10 years driving/no claims with same details for both quotes.

£442 without the added windshield claim
£494 with the claim, same details

+ for another 2-4 years as a declared claim depending on insurer

Interesting, it’s worth knowing as people do tend to treat it now as ‘a windscreen costs £75’ without thinking about the costs down the line. Mine is badly pitted but I won’t be doing this!

[pavarotti1980]

James-W said:

I was just sent through the BCA fair wear and tear guide but it didn’t provide any costings. If I lease again i’ll make sure to get hold of the schedule.

https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/content/dam/bluelabel/valid/www-vwfs-co-uk/documents/self-serve-documents/audi-self-serve-docs/Audi%20Damage%20Charges.pdf

Its Audi on the header but the costs are the same as the document i got from Seat

[James-W]

pavarotti1980 said:

https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/content/dam/bluelabel/...

Its Audi on the header but the costs are the same as the document i got from Seat

nice one, cheers!

[Driver101]

pavarotti1980 said:

James-W said:

I was just sent through the BCA fair wear and tear guide but it didn’t provide any costings. If I lease again i’ll make sure to get hold of the schedule.

https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/content/dam/bluelabel/valid/www-vwfs-co-uk/documents/self-serve-documents/audi-self-serve-docs/Audi%20Damage%20Charges.pdf

Its Audi on the header but the costs are the same as the document i got from Seat

Some of the charges I've seen people list are far less than I can get work done for. It makes more sense to hand the car back with scuffed wheels and the car needing paintwork.


Just reading some of the Audi charges, they've got a specific charge for people handing back their car fully wrapped? Who would do that?

A new key is £132 which is much less than it costs a customer. However, a locking wheel nut replacement is £150? That's excessive.

[lowley88]

Similar issue here. CUPRA goes back in march. I need a replacement screen :-(

Did SEAT/BCA say whether the replacement glass needs to Genuine SEAT branded to avoid further charges at handback?

Thanks