We got a letter from Skoda just before handing the car back 'warning' us that many cars returned had the wrong brand fitted and a charge would be made to replace the tyres.

 

To be on the safe side when I replaced the tyres in February I changed like for like - glad I did!

Don't they also charge for using anyone other than dealerships for maintenance?

Sorry don't know about using independent garages for servicing.

 

We just add the servicing to the contract hire (about £9 per month) which gives us hassle free motoring  (I have enough hassle running the business!!)

The servicing has to be within the approved network, so basically one of the Vag main dealers.

I'm gonna put part worms on if I have to change the tyres.

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TBH I'd like to see them police that point about the tyres. Thats blatantly there to stop people putting utter crap (budget/remould) tyres on before returning the car so the tyres at least have some tread. Of course that'd never pass the test so would have to be replaced.

You get a puncture.....more often than not a tyre fitter cant offer you the exact same tyre without ordering something in so its not unusual for a car to end up with mixed tyres....wouldnt be my preference to do so but as long as they are premium/semi-premium tyres and to the right size theres nought wrong.

I did two sets of those ****ty Dunlop SportMaxx RT's in 27k miles on the fronts on my car was determined to try something else. Went Hankook Ventus V12 Evo 2 (they are great by the way) but I wasnt rightly going to spend another 160 quid replacing the rears to match when there was naff all wrong with them.

The process of returning to VWFS admittedly is quite strict on paper but Id wager that if you demonstrate the cars been cared for (the car will likely speak for itself) you'll get an easy ride. They are really looking to catch out those who dont take care of the vehicles and are returned with endless dents, scratches, kerbed to death wheels, been smoked in heavily for three years etc etc.

TBH I'd like to see them police that point about the tyres. Thats blatantly there to stop people putting utter crap (budget/remould) tyres on before returning the car so the tyres at least have some tread. Of course that'd never pass the test so would have to be replaced.

You get a puncture.....more often than not a tyre fitter cant offer you the exact same tyre without ordering something in so its not unusual for a car to end up with mixed tyres....wouldnt be my preference to do so but as long as they are premium/semi-premium tyres and to the right size theres nought wrong.

I did two sets of those ****ty Dunlop SportMaxx RT's in 27k miles on the fronts on my car was determined to try something else. Went Hankook Ventus V12 Evo 2 (they are great by the way) but I wasnt rightly going to spend another 160 quid replacing the rears to match when there was naff all wrong with them.

The process of returning to VWFS admittedly is quite strict on paper but Id wager that if you demonstrate the cars been cared for (the car will likely speak for itself) you'll get an easy ride. They are really looking to catch out those who dont take care of the vehicles and are returned with endless dents, scratches, kerbed to death wheels, been smoked in heavily for three years etc etc.

Can't speak for VWFS specifically as I'm with another lease company, but mine specify the car must have 'premium' tyres fitted. A list of the approved manufacturers are given.

They don't mind if they are not matched as long as they are on the approved list

The exact terms will be under the relevant section in the lease

I'm kind of shocked at how thorough it all seems and a little worried!

Don't get me wrong my car is washed once a week, waxed every 4. I park the furthest away in the car park (but you always get some knob who will park next to you in an empty car park) and endeavour not to curb an alloy. I treat it like a baby!

Things do happen out of your control. I can understand they want their asset back in resellable condition but an hour inspection seems overkill. After 2 years and 20k miles they have to expect some wear and signs of use.

I'm wondering if they do this with every car or just ramdomly inspect some? My deal insinuated that I would return to him?

Does anyone know what their charges are like if it falls outside their fair wear policy?

I'm kind of shocked at how thorough it all seems and a little worried!

Don't get me wrong my car is washed once a week, waxed every 4. I park the furthest away in the car park (but you always get some knob who will park next to you in an empty car park) and endeavour not to curb an alloy. I treat it like a baby!

Things do happen out of your control. I can understand they want their asset back in resellable condition but an hour inspection seems overkill. After 2 years and 20k miles they have to expect some wear and signs of use.

I'm wondering if they do this with every car or just ramdomly inspect some? My deal insinuated that I would return to him?

Does anyone know what their charges are like if it falls outside their fair wear policy?

I don't understand why people are shocked at having a car on lease being scrutinised on return and charged appropriately.

The principle is no different to selling or p/x to the trade.

In the case of a lease they charge you a fixed amount provided you return the car within the agreed mileage and condition appropriate to BVRLA fair wear & tear. Outside of these parameters and the car is worth less, so you are charged the difference.

When you sell or p/x a car to a dealer they get a rough price from their little black book and then adjust according to miles & condition. This is effectively the charge on a lease car.

When trading your old car as a p/x, they may well appear to be more generous with their offer & overlook certain things when a deal is being made, but this wiggle room is coming out of the margin in the new car not them giving you more for your p/x.

Ultimately I find leasing a cheaper way (ATM) to chang cars every couple of years

I fully agree with you! You wouldn't borrow someone your best "toy" and let them give it back after using it smashed up!

What I'm saying is, fair enough if I hand the car back with a caved in rear quarter panel, ripped seats and curb alloys bang to rights I should be charged!

But to have an hour inspection of a car 2 years old, of course your going to find some imperfections. And to check indicators etc which are a consumable item?

To me it would be a quick walk round for major damage, check EML/service lights and off. Just like when you hand a hire car back.

I fully agree with you! You wouldn't borrow someone your best "toy" and let them give it back after using it smashed up!

What I'm saying is, fair enough if I hand the car back with a caved in rear quarter panel, ripped seats and curb alloys bang to rights I should be charged!

But to have an hour inspection of a car 2 years old, of course your going to find some imperfections. And to check indicators etc which are a consumable item?

To me it would be a quick walk round for major damage, check EML/service lights and off. Just like when you hand a hire car back.

VW were lumbered with a lot of handbacks which lost them money.

 

They are now very active in pursuing damage/costs incurred especially pro-rata on the handbacks. In such cases you'd get the Mrs and her colleagues after you

_{Well that’s the car away.}

_{Turns out that the car is inspected by an independent company on the behalf of Skoda (at our home) and then inspected again by Skoda when it arrives at their depot.}

_{Very intense inspection, checked everything – radio, indicators, horn, oil level, every panel, boot, spare wheel, carpets, all trim, etc, all in all took about 60minutes to complete!}

_{I did ask him about the level of inspection, turns out he’s now responsible for the car and any faults found at the Skoda inspection, his company pays for repair.}

_{Regarding the condition of the car – perfect! Quote ‘ like a 3month old car’ so that’s the car away, pick up the Scout on Tuesday J}

Glad to hear your hand back went smoothly and you posting your experience on here is invaluable to all us on pch. I'm just approaching the end of my 1st year of a 36 month contract. My question was when coming to the end of your 24 month term did VWFS offer you any deals to attempt to have you remain as a customer by taking out a new contact on a new vehicle or was it a case of going to your local dealer to choose your scout as any 1st time customer would do?

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Has anyone ever extended their agreement another 12 months?

If so did they charge the same each month or slightly reduce the monthly payment.

Mine is 24 months but thinking to keep another 12.

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Hi Mickycee

 

Sorry for not getting back to back to sooner no deals from VWFS, when I went to the garage to order the Scout was treated just like any other buyer.

 

Just in-case the above sounds negative, was very happy with the supplying garage (Henry Glasgow) who were very professional at all times.

 

As a company owner just what I wanted – no hassle car change.

Hi Mickycee

Sorry for not getting back to back to sooner no deals from VWFS, when I went to the garage to order the Scout was treated just like any other buyer.

Just in-case the above sounds negative, was very happy with the supplying garage (Henry Glasgow) who were very professional at all times.

As a company owner just what I wanted – no hassle car change.

Thanks for the reply Rob. Nope doesn't negative at all. I just sort of thought with having us people in contracts they would be more proactive at trying to retain our custom in the months coming up to the end of our agreements. Cheers for clarifying and it's great to read of someone who's went through the hand back experience.

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Here is the offical standards / guide for returning lease cars

 

http://www.bvrla.co.uk/service/fair-wear-and-tear-guides

 

If you feel it is not in line / any fines, appeal