Hire Cars and scuff marks

macuser · 18 Apr 2006 at 19:46

Hi

Just noticed a very slight scuff mark/dent on the plastic trim above the wheel arch (about 10cms in length) on my hire car. Is this classed as damage and do you think they would taking any or all of the £500 Damage Liability Waiver (Deposit) thats on my credit card? I wouldn't mind paying something but I think £500 would be a bit over the top.

Any body had any experiences with this type of damage on hire cars?

tom_e · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:10

from what ive heard from most people on these forums a lot of them wont even check and if they do they prob wont spot the mark so you may get away with it.

macuser · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:18

Yeah but it is noticeable. I've used this company before and they always check the cars back in.

4T5 · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:19

Totally the reverse in my own experience.
I have had the hire company accuse me of marking motors when i didn't. I make a point of checking a hire motor top to bottom with the guy and his list on pick up. I make such a big thing of it if i return with damage i would happily pay. There is never damage but they get my point for my return.
How i caught this company out was by taking a motor out and not getting out of it apart from putting petrol in it and draining myself. I drove to Glasgow on a turn around without getting out my car at the other end. Business was done and i returned and dropped the car in when i got back in to town. I was in Stealth mode at the time.

Anyways i knew for a fact i hadn't marked it. I didn't have to pay after expressing myself and all was forgotten. Odviously after making such a fuss i brought it on top and had to move onto a different company for my business cars.

In your case i would assess the damage and see if i could get rid before returning the car. Even if it cost a few quid to be polished out or whatever the plastic fix method is i would far rather it was a price i chose/sorted than the prices they will charge you for the same work and same result.

=Mac= · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:19

How bad is it? Can it not be covered by bumper black or dirt?

Mac

macuser · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:45

Its got some white paint on it which will probably T-cut out but its the slight dent thats bothering me.

Sharq · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:54

I got a courtesy from Enterprise...it was one of them new Astra's! I made sure the Enterprise noted all the damage already done to the car before i took it out.
Funny thing was, this dog jumped up at the car and clawed it. It was on the rear drivers side door, i didnt think nothing of it at the time.

They spotted it when i took it back, it clearly looked like it had been clawed by a dog...i would have thought they would have let me off, the car wasnt exactly in MINT condition when i took it. Fogs lights were cracked, marks here n there etc.
They took £180 from me iirc. :eek: