Challenge vehicle return charges
Discussion
I've just returned an Aygo that's served our two kids well as a learner and first car. It was a voluntary early return as daughter now has a new Audi and son a Clio RS (jeez, they grow up fast!). There were no early termination charges as less than a year to go, however they sought to charge for 'damage' as per their agreement.
Toyota wanted £210 for 'damage' and a 10 minute email, carefully argued, got this down to £48. I majored on there being no loss to Toyota as the 'damage' was in my view de minimis and, in particular, the state of the current used car market where the car would doubtless be much more valuable than they forecast in their business plan 3 years ago. Their case was also weakened by trying to charge us for a missing allow wheel key whilst the car did not have alloys!
I regularly argue these positions on behalf of commercial property holders and the bottom line is the 'claim' is always limited to the Landlord's loss as opposed to the cost of repair (unless they can prove the work has actually been done) - I see no reason why this should not also be applicable to a vehicle lease.
So don't take it lying down, ...especially in this market!
PS: I should add there may be a little less leeway on premium cars where condition is likely to be more value affecting
Toyota wanted £210 for 'damage' and a 10 minute email, carefully argued, got this down to £48. I majored on there being no loss to Toyota as the 'damage' was in my view de minimis and, in particular, the state of the current used car market where the car would doubtless be much more valuable than they forecast in their business plan 3 years ago. Their case was also weakened by trying to charge us for a missing allow wheel key whilst the car did not have alloys!
I regularly argue these positions on behalf of commercial property holders and the bottom line is the 'claim' is always limited to the Landlord's loss as opposed to the cost of repair (unless they can prove the work has actually been done) - I see no reason why this should not also be applicable to a vehicle lease.
So don't take it lying down, ...especially in this market!
PS: I should add there may be a little less leeway on premium cars where condition is likely to be more value affecting
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff