Can't see your picture, but everything I've heard recently indicates that their repair costs are actually very reasonable.
For example, a repair to peeled lacquer on the bumper which Nissan wanted £350+, Chip Away wanted £200, was costed at about £60 on inspection.

 

Can't see the dent. Are you referring to the joint with the bumper? Apparently that's like that. I was worried myself until I checked other side and another Zoe, all the same.

 

Just get a dentmaster type place to have a look and quote. If it's not silly let them sort it. If it's loads leave it and see what the cost is likely to be on return.

 

Leave it until towards the end. Someone might drive into you by then... If not, figure it out then having got a couple of your own quotes beforehand.

 

I have a few marks and two door dings. I've tried my best to avoid, but some people must put some real effort into it.
I'm just going to wait and see.

 

Can't see your picture, but everything I've heard recently indicates that their repair costs are actually very reasonable.
For example, a repair to peeled lacquer on the bumper which Nissan wanted £350+, Chip Away wanted £200, was costed at about £60 on inspection.

Same when I returned my Leaf. I'd be inclined to leave it, OP.

 

Our Zoe goes back in a couple of months. It has a couple of small dings and some scuffed alloys.

I don't want to pay hundreds to get this stuff fixed if I could pay RCI less in charges.

Equally, I don't want to pay RCI more in charges than I could have paid to get it fixed myself.

Is the consensus still that it's cheaper to pay RCI?

Is it documented anywhere as to what is "reasonable" wear and tear? Do RCI go by the BVRLA guidance?

 

RCI (or Manheim/BCA depending on who the car goes off to) can be very reasonable with damage charges. E.g. I believe the standard charge for a scuffed/damaged alloy is £55 - you won't be able to get it sorted yourself for anywhere near that. They also charge about £60 for scratches/gouges that can be fixed with a SMART repair - again good look getting it done yourself for that. They can also be flexible with what is/isn't wear-and-tear.

The reason for the low charges is that most of the time they won't actually get these repairs done - they're just pricing in the loss of value on the car when it goes to auction.

When I returned my Prius from its lease I got Chips Away to identify what wouldn't meet BVRLA standards. They quoted £1190 to repair the damage (scratched bumper, slight dent on bonnet - from a roof tile, shopping trolley scratch down the side, numerous stone chips, etc.). I declined and took my chances. How much did BCA want for the damage when the car went back? £0. "Won't have any problem shifting this one, mate", said the agent that collected it.

 

RCI (or Manheim/BCA depending on who the car goes off to) can be very reasonable with damage charges

I agree.

When my Leaf went back, Manheim noted £250 worth of charges. RCI sent me nothing. That was in December 2016.

When my blue Zoe went back, Manheim noted £250 worth of charges. RCI sent me one invoice for same. I called to contest one item, they said they'd remove that item and re-invoice me for £150. I received nothing. That was in February 2017.

 

I've a lot of experience with lease cars, I've been running a small company fleet for decades.
If they follow BVRLA guidelines on wear and tear, you'd be surprised how lenient they are.
For example, every alloy wheel is allowed to be kerbed and every panel is allowed a small dent.
Now, I personally don't know anyone who treats their cars like this......
You can download the BVRLA guidelines online.

 

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
I think I shall hand it back as-is!

 

Accidentally came across this one, if it's still an interesting topic for some: https://www.drive-electric.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fair_Wear_Tear.pdf

 

I think you have adopted the correct approach if you are happy to trundle around in a dent magnet
Why bother repairing it only to risk being stung anyway if that's what they will do.

Down side it has a dent, your peers will sneer at you. You will lose all credibility at the golf club. Your wife will be vilified by school-run mums once your children tell their friends a suitable enhanced explanation. Worse of all it will attract other dents and random shopping trolleys like they are going out of fashion.

Not really a win win scenario here is there.

 

I have an Ioniq BEV on a four year lease [ten days to projected delivery] and have worried about end of lease arrangements; the comments on this thread have been encouraging; particularly thanks to ofev2357 for this link.

 

Thought I would resurrect this thread since my Zoe got taken back by Manheim today.

The inspector seemed fair, and picked up on two scuffed alloys (£55 each), a small dent on the rear door which was on a panel line, and a deep scratch just inside the rear door, which looks like it was someone being careless with a seatbelt and scraping the paint down to the metal.

The total was £198. Fingers crossed that the invoice never arrives. Based on the rest of RCI's communication and processes, I am optimistic

 

The total was £198. Fingers crossed that the invoice never arrives. Based on the rest of RCI's communication and processes, I am optimistic

Invoicing me for "damage" (I call it wear & tear) is the only bit they seemed to manage in a timely fashion with me

 

Just had my inspection. Stone chips on the front bumper and a scuffed alloy. Both within tolerance, so no charge

Genuinely thought the alloy would be chargeable to be honest.

 

I'd add to this that if the damage caused has exposed the metal to the air, I would recommend to do the fix as soon as possible. I doubt RCI will charge you peanuts for rust. A dent that doesn't expose the metal can be fixed by a person with skill in a relatively short time.

 

Q - why do so many people give their car back on PCP?

If you are intending to give it back why not lease and take all the benefits that come with that?

PCP is a purchase option.

I’m honestly interested - especially if people are going into the PCP knowing they will defo hand it back.

JJ

 

Q - why do so many people give their car back on PCP?

If you are intending to give it back why not lease and take all the benefits that come with that?

PCP is a purchase option.

I’m honestly interested - especially if people are going into the PCP knowing they will defo hand it back.

JJ

If it's cheaper to PCP, why would you pay more to lease?

I paid £37/month for the Zoe for 25 months (plus £80/month battery rental). The final value was around £8.5k on a car that's realistically worth maybe £6.5k, hence the return.

I've just picked up a used Leaf. PCP, again, was the cheapest option. £9200 invoice price. Paying £150/month for 36 months with a ~£3300 final value. Total cost is something like £8700, though I won't be paying the final value as I won't want the car by then.

My next EV will probably be PCP too, but this time it'll be because I intend to keep the car. That won't happen until EVs become genuinely practical though (at which point I'll be happy to spend a bit more).

 

Personal leasing costs significantly more per month - I've just looked, £380 per month plus 6x380 initial rental for 36 months. Our Zoe will cost £2k then £199 per month, plus battery rental. Final payment would be just over £4k. PCP does allow a purchase option so you do have the choice to keep the car should you wish, which you can't with a lease. I think £4k will not feel like a lot to buy the car in 3 years time should we wish to keep it and I suspect it may be worth more than that by then, so will have a bit of equity in it towards a replacement should we wish to change it. With a lease, there's no chance of that.

 

I guess with th huge dealer and govt contributions, purchase is cheaper.

My colleague always leases his cars. He just moved from an Audi A6 allroad bi-turbo to a new Volvo V90.

JJ