Zen Auto - being unreasonable?
Discussion
Keen to get some opinions, perhaps someone on PH has been in this situation before.
I have a Cupra which is coming to an end of the 3yr lease. I have not renewed and wish to return (have a replacement sorted - non lease).
In 2022 the rear view camera 'fell out'. Found the lens on the driveway. It took the local dealer months to get it in under warranty and diagnose, then further months to replace and then use a seemingly rare calibration tool. All in the process was 9 months. I understand this is a common fault across the VAG range with rear cameras.
Unfortunately the same has just happened the other week, found the lens on the driveway after dropping out. Called the local Cupra dealer who told me August would be their first available date to get the vehicle in to diagnose. Given I have weeks left of the lease, I contacted Zen Auto to confirm what they wanted me to do with the vehicle, as by the time it see's the dealer it will no longer be in my possession. I was provided with 2 options;
1. Hand the car back with a broken camera and pay the related 'damage' penalty
or
2. Keep the car and extend the lease until such times as the warranty repair is carried out
Option 1 is not sitting well with me. The car will be fixed under warranty at the expense of Cupra. Zen Auto appear to be wishing to charge me for the 'damage' to then pocket that once Cupra sort under warranty. Doesn't seem right?
Option 2 is a no go either, I have a replacement sorted and only signed up for a 3yr lease and do not wish to extend it.
Before I escalate the matter, wondering if anyone has been in a similar predicament?
I have a Cupra which is coming to an end of the 3yr lease. I have not renewed and wish to return (have a replacement sorted - non lease).
In 2022 the rear view camera 'fell out'. Found the lens on the driveway. It took the local dealer months to get it in under warranty and diagnose, then further months to replace and then use a seemingly rare calibration tool. All in the process was 9 months. I understand this is a common fault across the VAG range with rear cameras.
Unfortunately the same has just happened the other week, found the lens on the driveway after dropping out. Called the local Cupra dealer who told me August would be their first available date to get the vehicle in to diagnose. Given I have weeks left of the lease, I contacted Zen Auto to confirm what they wanted me to do with the vehicle, as by the time it see's the dealer it will no longer be in my possession. I was provided with 2 options;
1. Hand the car back with a broken camera and pay the related 'damage' penalty
or
2. Keep the car and extend the lease until such times as the warranty repair is carried out
Option 1 is not sitting well with me. The car will be fixed under warranty at the expense of Cupra. Zen Auto appear to be wishing to charge me for the 'damage' to then pocket that once Cupra sort under warranty. Doesn't seem right?
Option 2 is a no go either, I have a replacement sorted and only signed up for a 3yr lease and do not wish to extend it.
Before I escalate the matter, wondering if anyone has been in a similar predicament?
raspy said:
What's the price of the damage penalty?
I find that the penalties for damage at end of lease are often far less than the cost of repairing something during the lease, e.g kerbed rims
Yeah but the warranty repair will be a lot cheaper.I find that the penalties for damage at end of lease are often far less than the cost of repairing something during the lease, e.g kerbed rims
Clearly the lease co just want an easy life, but it's not your fault the car's broken.
This thread unfortunately represents perfect timing for me.
Also have a Cupra Leon on lease with Zen, due back next month, and the camera fell out a month or so back.
It's already been to the garage to be "diagnosed" but have been told the parts could be anything from a week to a few months, so I was just about to speak to Zen to see what my options were.
Have they provided any indication as to the cost of extending the lease?
Also have a Cupra Leon on lease with Zen, due back next month, and the camera fell out a month or so back.
It's already been to the garage to be "diagnosed" but have been told the parts could be anything from a week to a few months, so I was just about to speak to Zen to see what my options were.
Have they provided any indication as to the cost of extending the lease?
Based on my own experience I wouldn't have mentioned it to them and if they tried to impose a charge I would contest it.
I once returned a leased E class which had bodywork damage I had been quoted £1200 to fix by a local body shop. I decided to take my chances on the lease company charging me less, they inspected the car and my total charges were £90 for a couple of kerbed wheels. Still can't quite get my head around that.
I once returned a leased E class which had bodywork damage I had been quoted £1200 to fix by a local body shop. I decided to take my chances on the lease company charging me less, they inspected the car and my total charges were £90 for a couple of kerbed wheels. Still can't quite get my head around that.
I have not been provided a cost, perhaps I should have asked but any cost does not seem reasonable at all given that it isn't even damage. Manufacturers fault, so would be totally FOC under warranty. The fact another PH'er is in the same situation shows how common a fault it is.
I am particularly annoyed at the fact they wish to charge me what I assume will be a significant amount and simply pocket this cash when they have Cupra sort it FOC.
I am particularly annoyed at the fact they wish to charge me what I assume will be a significant amount and simply pocket this cash when they have Cupra sort it FOC.
JD said:
This thread unfortunately represents perfect timing for me.
Also have a Cupra Leon on lease with Zen, due back next month, and the camera fell out a month or so back.
It's already been to the garage to be "diagnosed" but have been told the parts could be anything from a week to a few months, so I was just about to speak to Zen to see what my options were.
Have they provided any indication as to the cost of extending the lease?
I'll keep you apprised, I am not paying any amount and will not be extending my lease. Shows how common the fault is!Also have a Cupra Leon on lease with Zen, due back next month, and the camera fell out a month or so back.
It's already been to the garage to be "diagnosed" but have been told the parts could be anything from a week to a few months, so I was just about to speak to Zen to see what my options were.
Have they provided any indication as to the cost of extending the lease?
Personally if it was still working and not throwing errors I would have just stuck it back together and not said anything.
Reading the OPs post it seems a bit late, I would get a cost for just handing it back as is if it can't repaired under warranty in time and ask if the lease can be extended monthly until it is fixed. If the extension is a fixed period e.g. 12 months I would consider paying the damage excess just to get rid of it.
Reading the OPs post it seems a bit late, I would get a cost for just handing it back as is if it can't repaired under warranty in time and ask if the lease can be extended monthly until it is fixed. If the extension is a fixed period e.g. 12 months I would consider paying the damage excess just to get rid of it.
M.F.D said:
I'll keep you apprised, I am not paying any amount and will not be extending my lease. Shows how common the fault is!
Yea I totally agree with you, there is absolutely no way I want to still be responsible for this car once the warranty is up given how often it has been back to the dealer.Have you still got the lens? My current plan is to just epoxy it back into place if it comes down to it.
JD said:
Yea I totally agree with you, there is absolutely no way I want to still be responsible for this car once the warranty is up given how often it has been back to the dealer.
Have you still got the lens? My current plan is to just epoxy it back into place if it comes down to it.
Have you still got the lens? My current plan is to just epoxy it back into place if it comes down to it.
GiantEnemyCrab said:
Can you stick it back in with a bit of glue so it lasts long enough to make it through the inspection?
Yeah, probably the hassle free solution, just didn't want to mess it up and then would totally be liable. I await their reply for now.I also have a Cupra Leon on lease with ZenAuto due to go back in about 4 weeks.
Kerbed rims, major scratch and dent to the front bumper, minor scratches to the bodywork on the passenger side from driving through bushes and all front sensors disabled due to a stone chip on one of them. Not to mention a near write-off 18-months ago with a whole replacement of the front bumper, radiators and front crashbar.
Having just done the damage to the bumper this morning, all local bodyshops are booked through to mid-July. I'm just going to risk seeing how ZenAuto deal with the damage. I'm washing my hands clean as the money involved to have everything repaired (even the front sensor is a £200 job from the dealer as the whole bumper has to come off) isn't worth extending the lease beyond 3 years despite the killer deal.
Replacing with the V1 eTSI Design Edition PCH deal from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Works out roughly the same price per month as what I had on the 1.4 eHYBRID back in 2021. I'll take the performance hit for now.
I'll keep you posted on this thread on my damage charges in ~4 weeks time. Nationwide seem to be reluctant to give a definitive date or status of the vehicle for some reason.
Kerbed rims, major scratch and dent to the front bumper, minor scratches to the bodywork on the passenger side from driving through bushes and all front sensors disabled due to a stone chip on one of them. Not to mention a near write-off 18-months ago with a whole replacement of the front bumper, radiators and front crashbar.
Having just done the damage to the bumper this morning, all local bodyshops are booked through to mid-July. I'm just going to risk seeing how ZenAuto deal with the damage. I'm washing my hands clean as the money involved to have everything repaired (even the front sensor is a £200 job from the dealer as the whole bumper has to come off) isn't worth extending the lease beyond 3 years despite the killer deal.
Replacing with the V1 eTSI Design Edition PCH deal from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Works out roughly the same price per month as what I had on the 1.4 eHYBRID back in 2021. I'll take the performance hit for now.
I'll keep you posted on this thread on my damage charges in ~4 weeks time. Nationwide seem to be reluctant to give a definitive date or status of the vehicle for some reason.
I've found this as a mere ballpark figure.
I absolutely cannot guarantee what ZenAuto charge, but I'd like to think it wouldn't be far off this.
https://www.lexautolease.co.uk/content/bbp/reposit...
Which isn't unreasonable really.
I absolutely cannot guarantee what ZenAuto charge, but I'd like to think it wouldn't be far off this.
https://www.lexautolease.co.uk/content/bbp/reposit...
Which isn't unreasonable really.
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