Re-fuel a courtesy car ?

[Steve Campbell]

Debate between SWMBO and me this morning.

I have a courtesy car from Alfa this week to cover while my car is in for some work. Normally I would just use it to "run about" locally and wouldn't re-fuel before giving it back....however, this time I've been on a business trip and clocked ~180 miles in it. I think I should add fuel back in and my wife doesn't.

What's the consensus ?

[joshcowin]

Yeah I'd be with you on this one chuck half a tank in.

[randlemarcus]

Aside from the hire contract, and the large excess you probably skipped over, courtesy cars are a little like borrowing a car from your mate. It always goes back with slightly more fuel in it than when you got it, and while it doesn't get a day long detail, it goes back clean and hoovered.

[wpa1975]

Yes, I would put 1/2 tank in

[Conscript]

Surely this is generally stipulated when you pick it up? Generally it should go back with the same amount of fuel it came with.
Which is why it's always handy if it comes with a full tank as you can just brim it before returning (or, at least just enough to made the gauge read full )

[Rawhide]

I wouldn't return it running on fumes, but I'd not put in fuel otherwise. The car and it's costs are just part of doing business and the costs are likely already factored into the price your paying for the work in my opinion.

EDIT - this assumes a main dealer, and no specific terms and conditions

Edited by Rawhide on Thursday 8th December 12:38

[Muzzer79]

Steve Campbell said:

Debate between SWMBO and me this morning.

I have a courtesy car from Alfa this week to cover while my car is in for some work. Normally I would just use it to "run about" locally and wouldn't re-fuel before giving it back....however, this time I've been on a business trip and clocked ~180 miles in it. I think I should add fuel back in and my wife doesn't.

What's the consensus ?

You should absolutely put fuel in it.

I can't think why you wouldn't? The garage supply a car for you to use whilst yours is in for work. There's absolutely no reason why they should fund your 180 mile business trips (which I assume you'll be claiming mileage for?)

Frankly, even if I just use a courtesy car for running around town, I stick a fiver in it to bring it back to the fuel level I had when I got it.

[cobra kid]

randlemarcus said:

Aside from the hire contract, and the large excess you probably skipped over, courtesy cars are a little like borrowing a car from your mate. It always goes back with slightly more fuel in it than when you got it, and while it doesn't get a day long detail, it goes back clean and hoovered.

Wouldn't go that far. Replace the fuel you use.

[Richard-390a0]

Pretty sure every loan car agreement I've had has stated return as previously filled or we're refill it at our rate of £ extortion per litre...

[Zarco]

Yes.

They are lending you the car not giving you £50 to spend on fuel.

[The spinner of plates]

Yeah, I’d just replaced what I used.
It’s just the right thing to do, no more thought required.

[HTP99]

Why would you not replace the fuel that you have used, whether it is a 180 mile business trip or 5-10 miles running around.

Our courtesy car forms expressly request that all used fuel is replaced, if not there is a mileage charge.

[Puddenchucker]

I always give courtesy/loan cars back with the same or slightly more fuel than it had when I collected it.
I know how annoying it is when I've had a loan car and the previous user has handed it back with the fuel gauge in the red and the low fuel light illuminated.
I'd rather not spend the first part of my journey searching for and taking a detour to a petrol station.

[deggles]

Yep just replace approximately what you have used. It is simply the right thing to do - the 'courtesy' works both ways.

OP, tell us how it goes when you show your wife this thread and tell her all these strangers on the internet agree she's wrong

See also the 'shopping trolley test':

[sosidge]

Position of the fuel gauge has always been the FIRST thing I get shown when I'm given a loaner...

[Krikkit]

Much like the OP - if I was just running round a handful of local miles I wouldn't refuel it (and accept that a couple of quid's worth was the cost to the business who leant it to me). But if I could see the fuel gauge moving I'd top it off for roughly what I'd used.

[Steve Campbell]

Sounds like everyone agrees with me :-). I will be topping it up....it wasn't full but I reset the mileage clock when I picked it up so I know what mpg I did and how far so it will be getting that many litres in before it goes back tomorrow.

This is a main dealer, & I'm not happy with communications but will still put the fuel in.

Cheers
S

[DannyScene]

Steve Campbell said:

Debate between SWMBO and me this morning.

I have a courtesy car from Alfa this week to cover while my car is in for some work. Normally I would just use it to "run about" locally and wouldn't re-fuel before giving it back....however, this time I've been on a business trip and clocked ~180 miles in it. I think I should add fuel back in and my wife doesn't.

What's the consensus ?

I work at Alfa, we usually ask people to replace fuel out of courtesy, nobody really does though

I can comfortably say probably 80% of our courtesy cars come back on fumes

[DannyScene]

randlemarcus said:

Aside from the hire contract, and the large excess you probably skipped over, courtesy cars are a little like borrowing a car from your mate. It always goes back with slightly more fuel in it than when you got it, and while it doesn't get a day long detail, it goes back clean and hoovered.

Not in my main dealer experience. They don't come back clean or fuelled up for the most part

[Riley Blue]

Steve Campbell said:

Debate between SWMBO and me this morning.

I have a courtesy car from Alfa this week to cover while my car is in for some work. Normally I would just use it to "run about" locally and wouldn't re-fuel before giving it back....however, this time I've been on a business trip and clocked ~180 miles in it. I think I should add fuel back in and my wife doesn't.

What's the consensus ?

Courtesy works both ways...