Deductions from final pay for company car damage

[Pommiegeezer]

I recently changed jobs and therefore returned my company car on my last day. The car was inspected by a member of staff, and, whilst there where a couple of very small dents (which I had pointed out), it was not considered to be a problem and returned the keys thinking all was well. However, 2 days later, I received a letter from the company stating that, due to damage to the vehicle, they will be deducting £500 from my final pay to cover the cost of repair. They referred to a deductions clause in my contract (which I had signed), but they also referred to a company car policy document which I had never sited before or signed, which stipulates the condition the car needs to be returned in. They have never offered me a right of appeal and have practically called me a liar for stating that I had never seem the document. My question is this, in light of the fact that I have never seen a copy of their company car policy document, and certainly never signed one, do they have the right to use the deductions clause to do this? I returned the vehicle clean (but not fully valeted) but they are also claiming for valeting costs as this is requested in this car policy document, but again, I had never seen this document so I was unaware of this need - if I had, I would have got it done myself. Do I have a leg to stand on? And if so, what is the correct procedure to fight this?

[Kati]

Re: Deductions from final pay for company car damage

I'll tag [MENTION=26290]mariefab[/MENTION] (she should be able to advise ) xx

[mariefab]

Re: Deductions from final pay for company car damage

Have they provided a copy of a company car agreement signed by you?
If not, ask for this.

What exactly does the deduction clause in your contract state?

[Snoopy1948]

Re: Deductions from final pay for company car damage

Having had several lease cars while I was working in local government, I can empathise with this one!

You should certainly have been provided with a 'company car policy booklet' ( I always received one of these at the start of a new lease term ) that should have defined what is fair 'wear & tear' and what is not. Sad to say, I suspect that any form of dent that requires intervention and leads to a loss in street value, can be a deductible item. But as you say, you have never received such advices ( point one ).

The other point, I would suggest, is was the member of staff who 'examined the vehicle' on handover trained or experienced in the procedure and what advice to offer at that point. It seems not. Also, were photos taken of the evident damage and were they recorded on a physical diagram of the vehicle, that both parties signed?

The fact that they have deducted the sum of £500 seems to follow an unprofessional line from the employer. Were you provided with evidence of the damage and quotes to repair or was this just an 'office assessment' ? The sum claimed seems nicely rounded up, for want of a better expression.

As for the need to valet, that is again open to subjective opinion. And again, was that written into the missing booklet or other terms that you may have signed?

It appears that your exit has been a convenient time to charge you for these things that are difficult to battle once you have left.