My Mini was collected by Arval's agent, Manheim Auctions, on the 24th October and today an invoice arrived for Sundry Termination Charges; £170.00 for a replacement service book.

This is despite my copy of the Vehicle Condition Report (which presumably Arval have...) supplied to me when the vehicle was collected stating the service booklet was with the vehicle.

Fortunately I also have time and date stamped images of the service booklet in the car prior to its collection - as well as images of all the exterior panels, interior, tools, glass, lights...

It seems these tactics are being increasingly employed by CH companies to extract some extra cash from customers at the end of contracts. The Mini was the third car I've had on contract from from Arval and after each vehicle was returned there have invoices sent for damage and/or missing items, which have subsequently been credited once they have been justifiably contested.

I guess with the number of cars out there on contract there will be some companies who simply cough-up without question.

The tactics are getting sneakier though - my broker friend has advised me that some contract hire companies are making paint thickness tests for any areas suspected of repair (regardless of whether the repairs are acceptable or not) and charging for remedial work if it doesn't match manufacturers specifications.

 

We had exactly the same thing when we returned our last lease car, a bill for missing service book.

Thankfully we had done the same as you, took pictures as it went on the transporter and had the driver sign for the service book, after we told Lex that we had a signature for the missing book they soon backed down.

I think it was also a Manheim auction that the car went to, I would need to double check that though.

 

When I returned my S at the end of the period, I was first of all charged for a missing spare wheel. This soon vanished when I suggested they had a look for the space saver but was soon replaced by a charge for a missing emergency inflation system! Apparently their "expert" had told them it should be there and it clearly wasn't. It took several rather incredulous phonecalls from me before they eventually removed the charge as a goodwill gesture.

The hardtop stand didnt seem to appear on their missing report though

 

just part of a common tendency to bill for anything you think you might get away with

in the knowledge that enough saps will pay up to make it well worth your while

the only way to change this kind of thing is to make it clear to them that it won't be worth their while

if enough people complained to to trade bodies and the like, it would cause them plenty of administrative hassle and word would get around

it's the same logic behind why you always report any misdemeanours to the Police

until their stats look bad on something, they'll rarely act

 

Better still, send them a demand for £250 for wasting your f ucking time & threaten the Co Sec with a CCJ.

Institutional bullies really don't like it up 'em.

 

Seems to be more and more of this happening as they try and get every penny they can.

I've had it with BMW's were they have had the space saver and also run flats! Missing service books with Audi's as it's tucked away in the glove box and missed quite easily.

I'm waiting for the mileage charges to hit us when we return 60no cars next year to Lex.

 

It's the latest stage in the 'rip-off Britain' culture.

It ranges from insurance companies claiming their renewal is competitive when they've quietly de-contented your right to drive others' cars third-party etc, to the tax office having the ability to fine YOU for THEIR errors, if you don't tell them.

I might just send everyone I know in the world a bill & see how many pay up...

 

I like this.

Invoice in the post tonight.