Foul Play? Car rental rip off!! Help!

[Jaws75]

Hi ppl,

A friend of mine needs some help, i basically cut n pasted the email, i said perhaps i cld get some advice from this forum. Perhaps she's too late now.

 

Problem

"I had an accident on September 2008 when a car came out

of a side street and hit my car. I reported it both to the police and my

insurers. The insurers got in touch with Phoenix at Wimbledon they

came and picked up my vehicle, and left me the courtesy car the first of

3 cars.

 

Car No1 the gears went I had to call the AA out they fixed it so that I could get home. Phoenix came with another car (and picked up car No1)

Car No2 was doing fine until they realised that the Tax is about to expire they picked up car No2 and gave me Car No3 I used the car on Thursday 2nd Oct to Stratford.

 

On Friday 3rd Oct my daughter and I was about to leave on a long

journey, my daughter got out of the car to go back into the house

for something when she heard and notice that the petrol was leaking we

took our camcorder and film the incident. I phoned Phoenix and told them

about this; they then phoned me back after picking up Car No3 and

dropping off my own car informing me that some-one had used a

screwdriver and puncture the petrol tank to get at the petrol and

that they will have to replace the tank which will cost me £547+VAT

because the incident happened when the car was in my possession. I am not buying this!"

 

Update:

She's told me she's paid the money. I was meant to post this before she did ...oh well.

Is this legal? Something tells me it isn't but i'm no pro!

Thank you in advance!!!

[Jaws75]

oh! so this acceptable??

[poppynurse]

Doesn't sound right to me - hopefully someone with more knowledge of this area will be along soon.

[raydetinu]

As it was a loan car its normal for you sign for it under terms and conditions regarding damage responsibility etc. If you have not signed anything accepting responsibility I cant see how yhey can then charge you.

However if its been paid you have accepted it was your responsibility and cant claim it back now.

[Jaws75]

oops, so no point in chasing this one then?:?

 

thank you all for your help, much appreciated!

 

Regards,

Jaws.