Hand back to MB Finance

[Simon_M]

Anyone had any hassle returning a car to MB Finance after the agreement?

The GFV is way higher than the current value so I am going to hand the car back.

When I bought the car I got a 'vehicle return standards' document which stated that 'Alloy Wheels - minor damage which could be specialist repaired' but they sent me a new document once I informed them the car is to be returned which now says 'Minor suffing or damage under 25mm to the vehicle alloy or steel rim edge or wheel face'. Two of the wheel have been kerbed but just the minor marks round the edges, nothing brutal but well over 25mm - but I just get the sense I am going to get shafted.

The trouble is, they take the car, do any work they see fit and then charge you around a month later, so I cannot even use the dealer supplying my new car as leverage.

The car also has around 15 dents on the roof from a hail storm - I wondered about getting this fixed myself but I gather it is a big job.

They are going to get a car with only 24000 miles on it and with a recent service, plenty of tread left on the tyres and the iPod kit as it is not cost effective to remove. If I returned the car with 36000 miles on it, they would charge me 9p a mile (£540).

Just wondered if anyone else has been in a similar situation or if I am just getting jittery.


Simon

PS All the original contract says is 'You shall keep the Vehicle in good condition and properly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recomemndations'

 

[davidjpowell]

Would insurance cover hailstone damage? I'd suggest that you get the wheels refurbed yourself if they don't meet the standards. It's bound to be cheaper.

 

[Simon_M]

Yep, thinking of a cheap mobile refurb. But the hail dents, I may just chance it or get a few quotes from these dent fixing guys....don't want to claim on my insurance and raise my future premiums!

S

 

[davidjpowell]

If they are easily distinguishable and break out the guidelines I'd try and do something about it myself or have a couple of long chats with MB now about why their cars don't stand up to hail.

I have head of similar, but only after large pine cones started dropping in a French forrest during a Tornado.

 

[tippandy]

Hi, the journalist kelvin mckenzie who writes for the sun among others is currently in dispute with mb about this.Basically he returned a car and got shafted big time.He has given mb some stick in the press lately but not sure of the final outcome.If youare giving the car back i would be inclined to get as much of the work sorted as possible.

 

[NISFAN]

Take the car to a SMART repair centre to look at the hail dents. They should be able to get them sorted without re-painting. They might even be able to sort the kerb rash on the rims.

Regarding the returns policy, this is part of your initial contract. I doubt MB can change the terms during the contract, so I would stand firm on your original returns conditions. Therefore if the wheels pass, I would take pictures of the damage, and perhaps get an independant description of the damage on the rims. Hand the car back and wait for the fallout.
Often in these situations, the terms seem clear cut and harsh, but if the car is generally in good order, the vehicle gets passed even if it has the odd defect.

Good luck with the return, hope it goes well for you.

 

[Simon_M]

Thanks guys, I think it will
Be worth paying a few quid on it so at least I know where I stand.

But I am also reading horror stories of charges for excess mileage when not the case, claims of substandard paintwork repairs when the car had never been repaired and charges for missing service work because the wondrous electronic service history thingy.

I will give the car a full detail prior to returning it anyway as it has served me well and is a cracking car. I woul keep it if it was cost effective.

S

 

[davidjpowell]

Any Legal Eagels On Here? I Need Help re Merc Finance Legal Eagels On Here? I Need Help re Merc Finance

 

[davidjpowell]

Double Post... Arghhh.

 

[Timmy M]

Anyone had any hassle returning a car to MB Finance after the agreement?

The GFV is way higher than the current value so I am going to hand the car back.

When I bought the car I got a 'vehicle return standards' document which stated that 'Alloy Wheels - minor damage which could be specialist repaired' but they sent me a new document once I informed them the car is to be returned which now says 'Minor suffing or damage under 25mm to the vehicle alloy or steel rim edge or wheel face'. Two of the wheel have been kerbed but just the minor marks round the edges, nothing brutal but well over 25mm - but I just get the sense I am going to get shafted.

The trouble is, they take the car, do any work they see fit and then charge you around a month later, so I cannot even use the dealer supplying my new car as leverage.

The car also has around 15 dents on the roof from a hail storm - I wondered about getting this fixed myself but I gather it is a big job.

They are going to get a car with only 24000 miles on it and with a recent service, plenty of tread left on the tyres and the iPod kit as it is not cost effective to remove. If I returned the car with 36000 miles on it, they would charge me 9p a mile (£540).

Just wondered if anyone else has been in a similar situation or if I am just getting jittery.


Simon

PS All the original contract says is 'You shall keep the Vehicle in good condition and properly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recomemndations'

They will try and shaft you.. i have just returned an Audi A6 to VWFS and they are trying to charge me over £1500 for bits ... won't bore you with the details but rest assured they will try it on .. I am disputing all of the charges and will let you know how it goes. Good Luck!!!

 

[akmal17]

I just recently returned a car back to MB and to my surprise I got charged £180 and I was expecting the bill to be around £400/500 so its not always bad...

 

[Chris Akabusi]

will keep a note of this thread as mine is due to go back in November.

I assumed in advance that they will try to shaft me.

PS do Mercedes write to you in advance regarding your options at the end of the contract. I appreciate im still 4 months away, but i've heard nothing from them since signing up nearly 2 years ago.

 

[Timmy M]

will keep a note of this thread as mine is due to go back in November.

I assumed in advance that they will try to shaft me.

PS do Mercedes write to you in advance regarding your options at the end of the contract. I appreciate im still 4 months away, but i've heard nothing from them since signing up nearly 2 years ago.

I will NEVER contract hire again it seems they all do similar things my experience with CH is so typical but most people just pay up

 

[Simon_M]

Yes they write to you about 4 months from maturity. The trouble is the current wave of GFVs were calculated prior to the recession so more people are handing back the cars...

S

PS I posted in that pistonheads thread for an update..

 

[NISFAN]

Simon,

What was the difference in market value vs. GMFV?

I have just taken out MB finance, and noted GMFV being on the low side. (<£9k for 3 y.o C220CDi). My plan is to buy the car at contract end, run it as my company car for another 6 months, and then sell privately, or trade on new.

 

[Mudster]

I handed back my last MB about a year ago, I've always Contract hired, I know the deal so i put every vehcile into the bodyshop before it goes back.

I've yet to have a claim for anything.

This is effectively a long term rental agreement, you give the car back in pretty much the condition it was provided. Anything else is asking for trouble IMO.

 

[akmal17]

Arent contract hire monthly payments usually more than those of PCP?

 

[gIzzE]

Depends on the deal at the time, sometimes it can be more, sometimes it can be as much as 60% less.


You have hired a car, you have to return it in the condition you got it in, obviously they let you off a little, but you can't hand it back with curbed wheels, scratches and dents!!!
They have to sort these before they can sell it on and they will not be spending lots of time and effort trying to find the cheapest place for each job, which you can do.

So get it all sorted and then take loads of pics to show it is in A1 condition, it needs to look like a car in an approved Mercedes showroom.

 

[Mudster]

Arent contract hire monthly payments usually more than those of PCP?

Contract hire is usually more effecient for businesses.

Business used to get more attractive rates (and sometimes still do) but the gap has narrowed and in some cases dissapeared.

It's completely down to tax and accounting which is more suitable.

i.e. It's pretty effecient for me to contract hire a Saab or the replacement for the Saab which is a Ford S max.

However if I wanted an AMG Mercedes or a Range Rover or if I were a very high mileage driver (25,000 miles + a year) it would be much cheaper to buy them out of the business and just pay myself a little bit more.

Also remember contract hire deposits are usually a lot smaller than PCP deposits.

 

[gIzzE]

Contract Hire can work out far cheaper as the manufacturer always owns the car, therefore they can afford to sell at cost, buy back at retail and only make money on the finance.

Good example is BMW 730d.

£61,000 new
Value after 3 years and 30k miles £28000.

Cost to run for 3 years with cash purchase £33,000 or £916/month.

Cost to run for 3 years using finance at 8% apr £1225/month and a balloon of £28000 at the end. So £44100 over the 3 year ownership.


However....BMW were offering this car for £1499 deposit +vat and 35 x £499+vat a month which works out £22280 over the same period.

So approx. 50% cheaper to rent it than it is to finance it on a PCP type agreement.


Why so cheap??
Because a 730d costs BMW UK around £40k to buy, and they know they will get £32k retailing it at the end, so they are only funding £8k and they are still making £14k on the finance, although they have to give the dealer approx. £4k to get the deal. But they are still making money and they make the 7 series extremely attractive, which is the whole point.

My old man went for a 730d sport over his usual S320cdi last time, so it works.