VWFS/Audi finance refurb and mileage costs- can’t afford

[Gc2020]

I've had a bit of a google and can’t find anything with something concrete in.
I took out hire purchase on an Audi a1 in 2017. I fell pregnant at the start of the year and I’m due in December, meaning the lovely salary is due to significantly decrease and with Covid it’s all over the place anyway.

my car has some slight damage, which could be repaired for about £500/600 at a local garage. My issue is that I don’t have that kind of money spare these days. I want to voluntary terminate the finance and send it back to Audi. It’s a luxury I can no longer afford and it’s too small for a family anyway now.

my question is, if you send a car back with damage and excess mileage, are AUDI or VWFS finance happy to agree an affordable repayment plan to clear the amount? If I get it fixed it myself I’d have to keep it for another 6 months or so to save the money up. If I send it back I’m expecting a bill for excess mileage and damage. Or mileage if I get it repaired. Either way I couldn’t pay it outright.

Does anyone have an experience with this? I have emailed Audi and tried to get in contact via phone but I can’t get through after an hour on hold and no reply to the email.

in my mind they can’t expect you to pay a bill if you don’t have the money, and I’m happy to pay it just not all at once and I don’t fancy legal action over a fee scratches to a car. Sadly no matter how much care you take of a car you can’t control other people being careless idiots. Appreciate the advice if anyone has any?!

[R0b]

I'm pretty sure VWFS will not allow you to keep the car post-termination. They will want to recoup their money as soon as possible and of course the longer the car remains in your possession, the more it will depreciate.

If you can't afford it, then VWFS have a duty under FCA CONC rules to consider a payment plan where asking for the full sum could cause hardship or difficulties. Or you could challenge it, follow the complaints process which takes up to 8 weeks then take it to the Financial Ombudsman which will take months and months given their current backlog. By that point, you should have the money to pay it off and can then come to an agreement.

[Gc2020]

Brill thanks. I don’t intend on keeping it. I’m happy to voluntary terminate. It was the damage I was worried about I know there’ll be a charge. I was just hoping when that comes they would consider a payment arrangement due to a change in circumstances.