Voluntary Termination - Charges 5 months later!!

[ShaunT]

Hey everyone

I am in need of some advice and guidance from you in regards to my voluntary termination with FCA Automotive for my Fiat. I requested VT in December last year as it was due to expire this March, so I had paid well over 50%. From the offset it was a battle to get it VT as they were wanting to charge me a £75 collection fee to pick up the car, even though my nearest auction house was over 120 miles! They said that was reasonable. Thankfully reading through some threads here I took it to Financial Ombudsman to complain and they ended up wavering it.

The Car got collected and taken away and I haven't heard anything from them until last week! They have sent me a bill for £2,304.98 including £1,759.98 for excess mileage! The other costs are repairs for dent on panel and door and scruffs on alloy wheel, which I am not happy about as it was it good condition and I would consider it general wear and tear.

So I have tried to read up on some other threads and need some support for what to do next. The letter is out of the blue and not at a good time as I am about to loose my house and job Some of you have had success in not paying, and hopefully I can share in that success and be able to deal with them. The cheek of it is they have waived £20.06 as a good will gesture!

Thank you for your time and support.

[R0b]

Re: Voluntary Termination - Charges 5 months later!!

Hi Shaun, click on the link below in my signature and have a read. They can't charge you excess mileage and if car wa sin reasonable condition it's up to them to prove it. Put in a formal complaint about the issue then await the final decision so you can go to the ombudsman. I'll be around tomorrow to help more if you need it

[ShaunT]

Re: Voluntary Termination - Charges 5 months later!!

Hi Rob

Thanks for direction to your signature, certainly clears up a few points. Should I draft up a letter containing both samples from the letter disputing excess mileage and disputing condition of vehicle. I checked and noticed that FCA is member of BVRLA guidelines but will mention that it is used for commercial rentals and leasing.

Just another query who would I send it back too? The End of Contract specialist who wrote to me?

[R0b]

Re: Voluntary Termination - Charges 5 months later!!

The templates are just a guidelines you can use or amend them at your own free will and tailor them to suit your needs. They are not the best but can be used to form your complaint/response.

I would suggest writing to the lender and sending a copy to the end of contract specialist, with a slight amendment saying you have raised a formal complaint so you expect any correspondence to be out on hold until resolved.

Since you have already been to the Ombudsman and they failed to put these charges at the same time as collection fees, may be worth reminding them of that also and hat you fully intend to take this matter back to the Ombudsman should they fail to remove the charges.

Have you checked your credit file to see if these charges remain on your file? If so, I would threaten to take them to court for incorrect data on the file and compensation for damage to yor credit report - would allow them 14 days to respond too.

Just a few suggestions but you do not need to include all of it, up to you.

[ShaunT]

Re: Voluntary Termination - Charges 5 months later!!

Just checked on my credit file and the account is showing as closed with no outstanding balance which is good.

I have taken segments from your templates and drafted up a letter and PM you just to quickly proof read if that's ok.

I appreciate your help