Reimbursement for repair from a car hire company

[JonM0074]

Hi,

I hired a vehicle in May through a rentals company for 4 weeks. When the vehicle arrived, several of the tyres were in a seriously worn state and I highlighted this to the company. Their response was to take it to a local garage and get them changed. They gave me a list and said if we couldn't get to one of those garages, they would re-imburse us. We were due to take it to one of their garages after the bank holiday but on the sunday before, we had a blowout on a busy A road in the evening.

Their offices were closed so we had to pay a tyre company to come out and change, what ended up being, two of the tyres. I have been pursuing them for the amount for three months now and they have stopped responding to my emails, even though they have had all the paperwork from the tyre company and have even spoken to them previously.

I am at the point where I think it might need small claims intervention. Should I send them an invoice prior to this so I have something to claim from even though they have maintained in the past that they will just reimburse me - The amount is just over £500.00.

Any advice is appreciated.

[atticus]

Was their agreement to reimburse you put in writing - letter, email, text etc?

[JonM0074]

I have emails from them saying that they will reimburse but they have been requesting a 'breakdown' of cost from the tyre company before they do this, who have sent an invoice over to them and copied me in. This is before the rental comapny stopped communicating.

They have said the invoice is not specific enough even though it states what work has been done - I don't feel the tyre company could provide much more information than they have on the invoice.

Thanks for the reply.

[Pezza54]

Does the invoice from the tyre company state the depth of tread on the tyres that were replaced?. If it said the tyres were significantly worn to make them illegal, you have a very strong claim. If not, it may not be too late to ask the tyre company for a short report about the condition of the tyres replaced
You should contact the tyre company, explain the situation, and see if they can help. You could promise excellent reviews on consumer forums

[atticus]

What you say suggests that you have sufficient evidence to prove your claim. I suggest that you write a clear letter giving them 14 days to pay, failing which you will begin a county court claim.

[JonM0074]

Hi, Thanks for both of your replies, very much appreciated. I've spoken to the tyre company and have photographs of the tyres too. I will draft up a letter today.

Thanks again.