Lease Car Collection - dispute

Can’t say I’ve had a seat wear out that fast.

Wot Drac says.

looks like its a known issue https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/issues-with-faux-leather.354467/page-2

I'd say it's up to them to prove that you wear trousers made out of sandpaper, in which case you could be held liable for the damage.

most car leasing companies (should) adhere to the BVRLA guidelines for what is fair wear and tear for a car being returned

https://www.bvrla.co.uk/guidance/fair-wear-tear.html

https://issuu.com/bfwsn67/docs/fwt_2014_issuu_leasing_options?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%253A%252F%252Fskin.issuu.com%252Fv%252Flight%252Flayout.xml&backgroundColor=FFFFFF&showFlipBtn=true

There might be something in here that helps you...

edit: just read a bit further looks like damage to upholstery wouldnt be considered fair wear and tear. Suspect you are out of luck.

ask to see the invoice for work carried out. Chances are they'll just punt it on without doing the work and keep the money.

Previous disputes I've had with lease companies have always ended up with a lower settlement after asking to see work completed invoice which they can't provide as the work never got done.

Good luck.

I've contested a damage charge on a lease car that went back in November, they're still emailing me going "hey, you haven't paid yet!"

but surely the outer edge of the seat wearing out is wear and tear over 4 years of getting in/out of the car?

not really I’m afraid. Even in a 14 year old you still don’t expect the seat(s) to be torn

That sort of damage isn't normal(as in an average car of that age won't have that sort of damage) so you would likely need to prove that the car has a known premature wear seat issue.

ask to see the invoice for work carried out. Chances are they’ll just punt it on without doing the work and keep the money.

The charge are dilapidation charges, not repair charges. The fee is levied to reflect the lower value of the car at auction compared to one without the fault. The faults are never repaired.

Well they never came back to me asking for the money after I asked to see the invoice for works they said required to be done. Items were respray bonnet for a  splatter of chips on leading edge, respray of drivers door for scratches around door handle & scuff on drivers interior door panel

I'd be surprised if £600 covered the cost of a new drivers seat from peugeot - so from one perspective you've got off lighty

That does all sound like wear n tear though, so they should’ve backed down (well actually they just shouldn’t have tried it on in the first place)

I doubt that they will argue with you if you use the known fault evidence given to you up there.

Our lease went back a little while ago and the guy came to inspect and take the car away at the same time - paperwork said we would be given time between inspection and colelction to rectify stuff. The car was a minter after 3.5 years, only 18k on the clock. He still charged us for two tiny scratches and for some rubber door trim that that manufacturer had repeatedly failed to fix properly at service times. >£250

We were given the option to accept the charges and be invoiced; accept his findings but dispute the charges or dispute his findings. Two weeks later and letter from manufacturer (it was their own leasing arm) saying all good, they agree to cancel the charges.

This may be due to it being a direct lease from the manufacturer not wanting to annoy potential future customers over a few quid - don't know. Considering the final value of the car was £7k more than we predicted it would be when we took the lease, I doubt they want the hassle for £250!

That does all sound like wear n tear though

How many cars have you had that have worn like that in just 4 years?

I've had Zero.

How many cars have you had that have worn like that in just 4 years?

I’ve had Zero.

I was talking about the stone chips on the leading edge etc, not the torn seat

When the car was collected, did they do a walk around, note damage & get you to sign it off?

All the work cars I’ve leased have had that happen. Quite surprising the extra defects they try to invoice for. I took photos as back up.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I was talking about the stone chips on the leading edge etc, not the torn seat</span>

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Ahh, soz.</span>

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> </span>

How many cars have you had that have worn like that in just 4 years?

I’ve had Zero.

How many cars have you had where its a commonly reported fault?

I think to look at it from the opposite angle, it's pretty difficult to damage a seat in that way without it being normal wear and tear from getting in and out.

I think to look at it from the opposite angle, it’s pretty difficult to damage a seat in that way without it being normal wear and tear from getting in and out.

Studs in jeans, keys on outside of trousers, moving a heavy object across the seats or dogs jumping in and out.

Even in a 14 year old you still don’t expect the seat(s) to be torn

Wanna bet? I’ve seen plenty of damage to seats over the last seven years or so, and few of the cars were older than four years. Admittedly the majority were Motability cars, which get really abused.
Did the seats not have removable covers on? I know some of the motoring school cars we get have a zip that runs around the edge of the seat squab, and around the outer edge of the seat back, it’s a plastic one that lies flat along what would be the main seam. I can’t remember which ones have it though. We have 208 and 2008, but we did also have 308 and 3008 models originally. I’ll try to remember when I go in tomorrow and have a look at the Peugeots we’ve got on site at the moment.

Urgh - thought they had just moved the car on but got a bill from lease company today for the full amount, no mention of the fact I disputed the seat with the inspector, I've cancelled DD so onto them to argue today, fun times.

Initial call done - they offered £100 off the bill, I've raised a formal dispute and will send them the Peugeot forum post I found about the seats wearing quickly, said I was happy to settle rest of the bill, polite but firm.