UPDATE???? For anyone who has a leased car...

kptoys Posted: May 14, 2003 07:54 PM

UPDATE???? For anyone who has a leased car...

***UPDATE*** - I just took my car back to VW for something that should have been done on Monday but there wasnt enough time. I expained what happened and how and when I saw the dent. The guy behind the counter said they arent going to claim responsibility but they are going to try to repair it free of charge!!! YIPPIE!!!

I just got my car back from VW (serviced) on Monday and today I noticed there is a ding in my door right like my door was opened into something. Its the passenger side front door about 1/2 way down and right where the edge of the door is. Its not terribly noticable but its not something that can be hidden. Im constantly in and out of my car and its something I would have noticed. I havent left the house since Monday so Im thinking its something that happened at the shop.

MY ??'s are

1. Should I say something to VW even though I know they are going to tell me that they had nothing to do with it?

2. When I give the car back next year are they going to make me pay for repairs to the door??

JennRenee Posted: May 14, 2003 07:56 PM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

1. Yes. They may or may not take responsibility, but at least you're on record as having complained. VW is pretty good with customer service though, aren't they??

2. That depends on how they respond to question #1.

LisaT Posted: May 14, 2003 07:59 PM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I think they make you pay for larger damage, not every ding or scrape. Some small scrapes and dents would be expected after a few years.

(I lease my car, but I don't have to return it till Oct, so I haven't gone through that process yet)

chmlengr Posted: May 14, 2003 08:16 PM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

First, you're lucky to be leasing - most NY lenders pulled out of the leasing business because of the high cost of the vicarious liability insurance.

I lease my car. My husband is an automobile dealer. I think you should bring up the ding/dent with the service shop. And I don't think you'll have a problem when you turn it in. That's considered normal wear and tear I believe.

FM if you have specific questions and I can ask my hubby what he would do in that case.

kptoys Posted: May 14, 2003 08:23 PM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

Thank you SOOOO much!! I hate the fact that my perfect wonderful car had a ding. I guess Ill have to get over it and just look foreward to getting a new car next July (one with no dings )

DaniRN Posted: May 14, 2003 10:31 PM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

My lease is up on my car in July and Pontiac sent me a 'dent marker guide' to show what was allowed to be on your car without having tpo pay. I have a few small dings and scratches that are small enough that I won't get charged

kptoys Posted: May 15, 2003 08:51 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

Dani - Thanks I was getting SO worried that VW was going to make me pay for the ding... Im still mad about it though

NovemberSue Posted: May 15, 2003 08:53 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I leased a few cars before. If the ding is little then I wouldn't worry about it.If its a big dent then they will charge you for the repair.

tracyg Posted: May 15, 2003 09:03 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I lease, and i returned my car with a scrape in the bumper. They didn't say a word. I also returned it with a cracked windshield (two days before i returned it, it just cracked from the cold... figures) and they also didn't say a word about it. (Toyota)
So i guess it depends how nitpicky they are.

MichelleW Posted: May 15, 2003 09:13 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I backed my car up into a utility pole 2 days before my wedding and and did some damage to my rear bumper The body shop wanted 800 to fix it, the dealer charged me 250

Mary Posted: May 15, 2003 09:13 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

Go back there and complain. The same thing happened to my sister and she had them repair it because it wasn't there when she dropped it off.

ss2002 Posted: May 15, 2003 10:05 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I'd say something to the shop, just to have it on record.

I recently returned a leased Jeep. In the three years I had it, I accumulated my share of minor dings and scratches. Before I returned it, a rep came out to inspect the car. Everything was deemed typical wear and tear, and I wasn't charged for anything.

Samanthas Mom Posted: May 15, 2003 10:17 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

IF its little its nothing
You do not pay for 'normal' wear and tear
little scratches
when I turned in my pathfinder I had a few scratches and had to pay nothing, its considered normal wear and tear
is it a big ding? Then say something to VW but if its hardly noticeable, you will not be charged

kptoys Posted: May 15, 2003 10:20 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

The ding is right where the edge of the door is. It looks like it was opened into something... I dont use that door. I drive and Emma is in the back and when Derek is with us he rides in the back with her... the kicker... there is paint or something JUST under where the ding is... Im going to say something when I bring my car back today

HappyEverAfter Posted: May 15, 2003 10:23 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

FH has leased VWs forever, he is on his third one now. In our experience, if you are planning to lease another VW when you turn yours in, they could care less if there are dents/scratches. For the last car FH leased, the dealer did not even really inspect the car he was turning in, just cared about the milage and if there was anything 'falling off' the car. If you are thinking of giving them new buisness, dont worry- they wont sacrafice a sale for a few hundred dollars.

kptoys Posted: May 15, 2003 11:30 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

I plan on having another child on my honeymoon (getting prego that is) and I dont think another VW is in my future. I need something bigger.

Chloegirl Posted: May 15, 2003 11:47 AM

Re: ???? For anyone who has a leased car...

Many leasing companies dont charge you for scratches or dings that are smaller than the size of a credit card. So it depends on the company and who is inspecting your car. Also, never turn the car in clean, make sure it is dirty so they wont see everything