my car was being repaired i only had the car for 3 hours there was already a mark on the door the dealer said he was in a rush and had already checked for damage. he phoned later to say i had scratched the bumper. i know for sure i didnt but as i signed for the car im resposnible and the insurance excess is £375! how do i know it wasnt damaged after i dropped it off? any advise on what to do?
2006-11-18 00:23:22 · 13 answers · asked by hellinbear 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is the rental company's responsibility to check the returned car when you are still there. if they find any damage then you can see it and you don't have any defence.
However if they call you later and say there is damage then you have nothing to do with it. You have signed off/finished your rental.
The employee probably scratched it when he was reversing in the parking area after you had left and now he's trying to put the blame on you. He missed it - it's his mistake.
Do not worry - the car was left in his care in the same condition as when you picked it up - repeat this to his boss.
2006-11-18 00:40:01 · answer #1 · answered by OO7 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you signed for the car was there a sheet there detailing the damage on the vehicle ? I have worked in the auto trade for 26 years and the one thing i have always done either as a mechanic or a manager was insist that when a car was handed over it was inspected for damage with either the owner or the person dropping off collecting the car, when you had the car or picked it up you should have checked this with a member of staff from the co, if you have signed for it your basically liable for that vehicle even if it is damaged by a third party as it is leased to you and under law you have a duty of care, sadly this isnt always done and if this dealer didnt go through that proces with you then im afriad they are not to be reccomended again, you can seek legal advice and also if the dealer is a memeber of any professional bodies ask them for advice as well
2006-11-18 08:33:05 · answer #2 · answered by gav552001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you return a car they check the car over,you should have a copy of this from as they check with you and you sign the car out and if its damaged its marked on the form you sign it out on,then they check the car on return against there copy of the form,you still have a copy of this.so they cant change this to show scratches on the car after you pay or a later date.You should always check a car over for damage or refuse to have it.It could have been the dealer knowing about the damage and hoping you don't notice and then claim you did this.
2006-11-19 09:12:42 · answer #3 · answered by restfullone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, you need to check the car properly in advance - but since it's too late for that, I would stick to your guns and say that you didn't scratch it, and that you will not be held liable. Legally, you don't really have a leg to stand on since you signed the document, but if you make enough noise and say you'll go to the local papers, Watchdog etc, they will probably let it drop. If this is a national company, I would write to their head office and state your case - it's probably the case that the dealer's let someone else away and noticed the scratch later, and had to justify it in some way. Good luck.
2006-11-18 08:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by f0xymoron 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this is a scam with rental firms ,should have checked car on collection and on return,they usually say small scratch tiny dent will cost about £60/£70 to repair its a con ,either fight then or pay if he was in a rush thats his tough luck,i would challenge them ,but its up to you..
2006-11-18 13:00:49 · answer #5 · answered by dave p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have insisted that you and the dealer checked over the vehicle prior to you singing anything. i always check the vehicle first this may be a costly experience for you I'm afraid.
2006-11-18 08:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by nic123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask to see his log sheet for the last five drivers so you can track down the culprit.
He won't give them of course but you can then say its your word against mine, and, since I know the facts I am sticking to them.
Take someone with you who looks like me, horrible.
2006-11-19 06:12:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE DEALER NEEDED TO SHOW YOU,WHEN YOU RETURNED THECAR,IF HE CALL YOU BACK LATER AND YOU KNOW YOU DID NOT DO IT,TELL HIM SORRY IT HIS PROBLEM HE WILL FROM THIS DAY ON DO HIS JOB AND CHECK IN THE CARS THE RIGHT WAY
2006-11-18 08:32:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are bad on this, always take front , back , side, and interior digital photo's to protect. things really got worse out there.
2006-11-18 08:40:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you check the car for damage?? how can they prove you did it?
2006-11-18 08:25:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋