Had my Kdoaiq collected today after the 3 year lease came to an end. 

 

Due to Covid I did not have to sign anything and I actually paid off for the car over 2 months back, could not drive it and has sitting idle on road since the lock down began. 

 

When the inspection had finished I was not told anything and just recieved the report this evening. 

 

Looks like the Alloy Wheel Key is missing. 

It was in the car prior to having a service last year and I had never taken it out the car so can only think it was used and never replaced at the service. (Want to charge me £175).

 

A scratch that has appeared on the body after I no longer had ownership of the car as I had paid it off and it was sitting idle during lockdown. 

 

Is there anyways I could contest the two above issues ok the report? 

Just my opinion, not a legal viewpoint;

Argue the wheel nut key, by telling them what you outlined above. If you've never used it, then the garage did, so they should be liable. If the garage that serviced it is the same one you leased the car from, tell the money man to argue it out with the mechanic who did the service, who's name will be on record.

 

Regardless of you paying off the car early, the car was still under your care until it was picked up I assume, unless the lease company stated differently and as you admit the scratch was there when they picked it up, then you'll struggle to wriggle out of that one.

However, if the car ceased to be yours two months ago when you paid off the lease and the leasing company decided not to collect it at that time (for whatever reason - Covid etc), then you should have no worries.

The leasing company might argue that the scratch could have been done whilst in your ownership and you can't prove differently unless you have dated photos or video showing that it wasn't present during your ownership. By the same token, they can't prove when it was done either.

£175 sounds a bit strong for a wheel nut security adaptor.

 

I would have thought that any damage or items missing should have been made aware to you at the time of the inspection, my defence mode would be that if they took the car without signalling anything then any damage or loss must have been subsequent.

 

I assume that you were there and witnessed the inspection.

2 hours ago, J.R. said:

I would have thought that any damage or items missing should have been made aware to you at the time of the inspection, my defence mode would be that if they took the car without signalling anything then any damage or loss must have been subsequent.

 

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

You can't go into a shop and tell them they short changed you the week before and get them to pay up. Damge or missing items are to be verified with both parties at the point and time of collection

4 hours ago, olderman1 said:

Just my opinion, not a legal viewpoint;

Argue the wheel nut key, by telling them what you outlined above. If you've never used it, then the garage did, so they should be liable. If the garage that serviced it is the same one you leased the car from, tell the money man to argue it out with the mechanic who did the service, who's name will be on record.

 

My tuppence worth:

 

If the car was not on your property then the scratch is their problem. Think I've mentioned it in previous posts, I'd always recommend taking pics of the car at end of lease as proof. If the scratches were already there and you're simply trying to con them, well that's naughty. I'd always pay up if it were my responsibility but if the scratch happened AFTER the lease ended, that's their problem. They might huff and puff and threaten legal action ( I doubt it at the price, it's a cheap fix ) - if they did that to me I'd say be my guest, take me to court. It's just never going to happen, they have no case.

 

The locking nut is different. What ever you do, do not do what olderman1 suggests because you're admitting to not checking if the nut was present when you left the car. And to be honest, what you're saying is you've never checked the nut was present since the garage handed it back !   All the garage are going to say is we replaced it in the vehicle and there's nothing you could do about it.

 

Again the only way you'd get away with this is to say that you checked the locking nut prior to leaving the car and it was present. That really should have been one of the main items on the checklist of the person who collected the car - locking wheel nut is pretty darn important.

 

From a legal point of view the lease company don't hae a case against you BUT if you're saying you didn't check the nut was present and the person who collected the car gets sacked or is made to pay out of his/her own pocket...  personally I wouldn't have that on my conscience.   I'd find out the true cost of a replacement key and offer the lease company that.

 

 

Edited 28 May, 20206 yr by Guest

Who is the finance company?

 

Are they members of BVRLA?

 

Who inspected the vehicle?

 

After the inspection did you sign the report?

 

If the leasing company is a member of the BVRLA (never lease a vehicle from someone who isn't) there are clear guidelines that explain the return of the vehicle.

 

Firstly you must be advised what to expect when the vehicle is collected. Some leasing companies may arrange a full vehicle inspection and condition report when the vehicle is collected. Other leasing companies will collect the vehicle and complete the full inspection later at the leasing company's nominated site.

 

At collection, you and the representative from the leasing company must check and agree on the vehicle's condition. All readily apparent damage to the vehicle will be noted on the vehicle collection sheet and both parties should sign the documentation or hand-held device.

 

Was this done?

 

If the missing locking wheel nut key wasn't identified before you signed the report then they can't make you pay.

 

If you didn't see or sign the report then you need to complain to the leasing company, if that is unsuccessful you can refer the case to the BVRLA...

 

https://www.bvrla.co.uk/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint-adr.html

 

£175, is that for the missing locking wheel nut key and the scratch, or just the key? A replacement locking wheel nut key can be purchased for less than £40...

 

https://www.lockingwheelnutkeys.co.uk/product-page/skoda

 

Where, how long, how deep and how many panels does the scratch cover? Again there is detailed guidance on what is fair wear and tear and what is chargeable damage, but if it isn't down to the primer and is contained within a single panel you shouldn't be paying more than £55...

 

How are these charges levied?

 

I have no idea about leasing, is there a sort of deposit that they will deduct the monies from? If so then it will be you having to take them to court rather than saying take me to court.

 

Do they debit your credit card or bank account? Do they need your authority to do so?

 

Sorry for my naïveté but I have only ever bought things with my own funds but how they will recover any monies is very relevant.

Amused at the thought of them doing a cold metal repair to a bumper, can you still lease a rear engined Skoda?

You say that lease ended 2 months ago and was fully settled.

 

You also say car was parked on a road, therefore had to be taxed and insured by someone.  If it wasn’t you then it must be the lease co.   If they chose to leave it dumped on a road and it got damaged, then how do you become liable.

 

I’m afraid you are going to have to check the small print of your lease to understand if you have liability after the agreed collection date.  If a date was agreed but they didn’t keep it, possibly that was end of your period of needing to look after it.  There may also be a force majure clause (events outside both parties control, which prevent contract from happening as planned), often these are 50-50 for costs.

 

Regarding the wheel nut adapter, if nothing was signed, and you say it was there, they will possibly drop claim, as can’t prove it either way.  
 

Have had experience of being told windscreen needed fixing due to chip, (and they supplied a photo) we argued wasn’t there as wasn’t on collection photo, and they instantly dropped it, which suggests some lease collection offices try it on

 

I always "buy" the car after the PCP and then sell/trade it in after the PCP is ending, usually get a few hundred or a thousand or two more than the final ballon payment and I avoid all this hassle of the PCP company looking for a tiniest of scratches etc. 

 

Is currently a huge problem as dealers to not want certain cars ie most diesels back as they are worth 10% less or so than the petrol equivalent cars.

 

PCP is letting the lease company do whatever the want and I refuse to play that game with them.  Even got £1K back more than the PCP on a Dacia estate after 3 year PCP, well chuffed, will do the same with the Octy and the Tracer.   

Edited 30 May, 20206 yr by lol-lol

This thread has made me look forward to my collection on Monday even more 😀

 

Although my car has been sitting clean and tidy at my door for 10 weeks, it will get a final wash and once over tomorrow - very much in line with all the comments above.

 

One important change due to Covid is that I’ll not be signing anything. I’ll make it clear that I expect NO SURPRISES after collection.

 

Definitely a case of double-checking. And checking again.

 

The camera will be well used.

The collection booking eMail is very clear-

 

For Inspection purposes please ensure the following prior to the Inspectors arrival:

• Vehicle is made available with full access
• Vehicle is clean and in presentable condition
• Loose items - Spare key, Handbook, Service History, Locking Wheel Nut are present

For collection purposes please ensure the following prior to the Drivers arrival:

• Vehicle is made available with full access
• Vehicle is clean and in presentable condition
• All personal belongings are removed from the car
• All personal data to be cleared from the internal systems (SAT NAV etc)
• If your vehicle is an Electric Vehicle, please can you ensure it is fully charged before we arrive to collect it.
• The vehicle has a valid MOT and is in a roadworthy condition.

**COVID Collection Precautions** 

• The collection agent will call ahead to advise of their ETA.
• They will call again when outside of the collection address.
• Please leave the keys for the vehicle and any paper work in a safe place outside the house once you know the agent has arrived, preferably in an envelope.
• We ask that you and the collection agent hand wash or sanitise before the keys are transferred for collection.
• The agent will sanitise the keys, door handles, steering wheel, indicator levers and gear stick before entering the vehicles.
• An inspection will be carried out before the agent takes the car away.
• You will not be asked to stay with the agent whilst they inspection the vehicle to ensure social distancing is followed.
• We also won’t ask you to sign anything as the agent will sign on your behalf using the reason: Signed on behalf of the customer COVID 19.
• We will email you the results of your inspection. The agent will call and ask you for your email address once they have completed your inspection and are ready to take your car away.

Please note our Inspectors and Drivers will present their Identification Badge on the day for verification.

 

On 28/05/2020 at 12:03, J.R. said:

£175 sounds a bit strong for a wheel nut security adaptor.

 

I would have thought that any damage or items missing should have been made aware to you at the time of the inspection, my defence mode would be that if they took the car without signalling anything then any damage or loss must have been subsequent.

 

I assume that you were there and witnessed the inspection.

 

Due to Covid and due to the face I was working during the inspection, the lady from BCA carried out the inspection herself and only knocked on the door to give me back a screwdriver that she found in the car. She only advised during the drop off of the screwdriver that the report will be emailed to me, no signature was required and BCA will be in touch if there are any costs to cover off

Edited 31 May, 20206 yr by chris1012

On 28/05/2020 at 14:27, Scot5 said:

 

My tuppence worth:

 

If the car was not on your property then the scratch is their problem. Think I've mentioned it in previous posts, I'd always recommend taking pics of the car at end of lease as proof. If the scratches were already there and you're simply trying to con them, well that's naughty. I'd always pay up if it were my responsibility but if the scratch happened AFTER the lease ended, that's their problem. They might huff and puff and threaten legal action ( I doubt it at the price, it's a cheap fix ) - if they did that to me I'd say be my guest, take me to court. It's just never going to happen, they have no case.

 

The locking nut is different. What ever you do, do not do what olderman1 suggests because you're admitting to not checking if the nut was present when you left the car. And to be honest, what you're saying is you've never checked the nut was present since the garage handed it back !   All the garage are going to say is we replaced it in the vehicle and there's nothing you could do about it.

 

Again the only way you'd get away with this is to say that you checked the locking nut prior to leaving the car and it was present. That really should have been one of the main items on the checklist of the person who collected the car - locking wheel nut is pretty darn important.

 

From a legal point of view the lease company don't hae a case against you BUT if you're saying you didn't check the nut was present and the person who collected the car gets sacked or is made to pay out of his/her own pocket...  personally I wouldn't have that on my conscience.   I'd find out the true cost of a replacement key and offer the lease company that.

 

 

The cost of the scratch is only £25 and to be honest there are other scratches/dents that I thought I would get charged with and would have happily paid however this scratch happened during the period of post final payment and as I was not allowed to drive the car and it was no longer my responsibility, I think it will unfair to be charged for it.

 

I agree it was my fault (only on here) that I did not check for the locking nut however apart from the engineer mentioning it at the service, it was never used or searched for. 

Edited 31 May, 20206 yr by chris1012

On 28/05/2020 at 19:50, silver1011 said:

Who is the finance company?

 

Are they members of BVRLA?

 

Who inspected the vehicle?

 

After the inspection did you sign the report?

 

If the leasing company is a member of the BVRLA (never lease a vehicle from someone who isn't) there are clear guidelines that explain the return of the vehicle.

 

Firstly you must be advised what to expect when the vehicle is collected. Some leasing companies may arrange a full vehicle inspection and condition report when the vehicle is collected. Other leasing companies will collect the vehicle and complete the full inspection later at the leasing company's nominated site.

 

At collection, you and the representative from the leasing company must check and agree on the vehicle's condition. All readily apparent damage to the vehicle will be noted on the vehicle collection sheet and both parties should sign the documentation or hand-held device.

 

Was this done?

 

If the missing locking wheel nut key wasn't identified before you signed the report then they can't make you pay.

 

If you didn't see or sign the report then you need to complain to the leasing company, if that is unsuccessful you can refer the case to the BVRLA...

 

https://www.bvrla.co.uk/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint-adr.html

 

£175, is that for the missing locking wheel nut key and the scratch, or just the key? A replacement locking wheel nut key can be purchased for less than £40...

 

https://www.lockingwheelnutkeys.co.uk/product-page/skoda

 

Where, how long, how deep and how many panels does the scratch cover? Again there is detailed guidance on what is fair wear and tear and what is chargeable damage, but if it isn't down to the primer and is contained within a single panel you shouldn't be paying more than £55...

 

Skoda finance are the finance company and are members of the BVRLA.

A lady from the BCA inspected the vehicle.

I did not sign any documents and was asked not to as well due to Covid.

 

Apologies, the Missing nut key is £150 and £25 for the scratch

If you didn't sign the report, were you able to see the it?

 

I think they're on dodgy ground here. If the inspector has driven the vehicle away without you agreeing or signing for the damage she found then I'd tell ask them to show you the part of the contract you signed at the beginning of the lease deal that said you'd be liable for damage that occured after the vehicle was inspected and collected.

 

£150 for the locking wheel nut key is exorbitant, as linked above offer to replace it for the £40 quoted.