BVRLA guidelines - is this a scratch or a chip?

[garmcqui]

Hi all,

Just going over my car before it is returned at end of lease. I found this small piece of damage, which seems to be only lacquer-deep. Lacquer has come off in a strange "w-shape".





I'm just wondering whether, under the BVRLA guidelines, this would count as a chip, or a scratch?

For chips, less than 3mm diameter is free, and over 3mm is £57.
For scratches, less than 25mm is free, over 25mm is £40.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Edited by garmcqui on Tuesday 11th May 15:12

[smithyithy]

I think that'd be classed as a chip to be honest.

[sherman]

It would cost you more than that to get it fixed.

[smithyithy]

The scratch allowance seems a bit vague, or is there more to it? For example a 24mm scratch that goes down to the metal would be okay, but a 26mm scratch that's just tickling the clear coat would cost?

[garmcqui]

No, if it goes to the metal it’s chargeable regardless of size

[smithyithy]

Ah okay, that makes sense.

In the case of yours.. if it were mine I'd probably consider hitting it with a machine polisher, you'd take off a bit more clearcoat and soften the edges of the chip to make it less noticeable..

Could even touch it up with some aerosol clearcoat and polish it back if you were feeling ambitious, whether that's better than the alternative of the charge though..

[garmcqui]

Hmm, took car to a detailer who tried to polish it up a bit, but said no I’d need a bodyshop or smart repairer. Since then I have taken the car two two different body shops and both have said it looks like there has been a previous paint repair done, as although the lacquer has flaked off it is still lacquered underneath.

Except I’ve had the car from new and never had a repair done. Is there any chance it was repaired prior to me getting it? How would I find out?

Edited by garmcqui on Monday 17th May 12:21

[sherman]

garmcqui said:

Hmm, took car to a detailed who tried to polish it up a bit, but said no I’d need a bodyshop or smart repairer. Since then I have taken the car two two different body shops and both have said it looks like there has been a previous paint repair done, as although the lacquer has flaked off it is still lacquered underneath.

Except I’ve had the car from new and never had a repair done. Is there any chance it was repaired prior to me getting it? How would I find out?

Cars do get scratched during the delivery process. Good luck in ever getting anyone to confirm it was repaired prior to delivery though.

[Auto810graphy]

Depending where it is I would not worry as I doubt the inspector will even notice it. Worst case the funder may ask you to pay but this should be less than you would pay anyway.

[treeroy]

for the sake of £40 or £50 just ignore it and don't worry about it, imo. My experience of returning lease cars is they are not too fussed unless it's significant / quite noticeable damage.

[Wagonwheel555]

Either way the difference is £17 so I wouldn't worry about it and see what the person who turns up says

[garmcqui]

Thanks.

It was more that they may say that, as it can’t be polished out it will be £155, as per this:

[FWIW]

garmcqui said:

Thanks.

It was more that they may say that, as it can’t be polished out it will be £155, as per this:

l]

But it’s not down to metal or primer.

I would definitely leave it, after having a go myself at making it look less obvious.

[mattman]

recently returned my Tiguan to VWFS and got a lovely bill of nearly £400 for repairs - apparently each of these required a repaint - front and rear bumper and a door, each charged at £110 each.
I did not accept the collection inspection (on the advice of the BCA guy) and called VWFS to dispute these as being wear and tear until BVRLA guidelines. The guy on the phone was very helpful and agreed with me, all the charges were canceled.

If i'd known they were going to get that picky, i would have given it a good polish before it was collected as most of that would have polished out

Front bumper


Rear bumper


Door

[Wagonwheel555]

mattman said:

recently returned my Tiguan to VWFS and got a lovely bill of nearly £400 for repairs - apparently each of these required a repaint - front and rear bumper and a door, each charged at £110 each.
I did not accept the collection inspection (on the advice of the BCA guy) and called VWFS to dispute these as being wear and tear until BVRLA guidelines. The guy on the phone was very helpful and agreed with me, all the charges were canceled.

If i'd known they were going to get that picky, i would have given it a good polish before it was collected as most of that would have polished out

Front bumper


Rear bumper


Door

I would say the first pic is a scratch and personally wouldn't consider that wear and tear due to the length, although granted you could likely polish it out.

Other two I can't really see properly

Think BCA work off length of scratches/marks so probably fell outside parameters. Surprised you had nothing for alloys unless they were mint?

Anything under £500 you can usually argue, especially if its minor like yours are and they usually back down.

Guessing it was VT rather than a lease return?

[mattman]

Wagonwheel555 said:

I would say the first pic is a scratch and personally wouldn't consider that wear and tear due to the length, although granted you could likely polish it out.

Other two I can't really see properly

Think BCA work off length of scratches/marks so probably fell outside parameters. Surprised you had nothing for alloys unless they were mint?

Anything under £500 you can usually argue, especially if its minor like yours are and they usually back down.

Guessing it was VT rather than a lease return?

All the alloys were perfect - we returned the lease early (19 months into a 24 month contract) - just to be more annoying, within 3 minutes of the inspection team leaving, it absolutely tipped down for the next 4 hours, so they would never have seen those marks in the rain.
That was my point, the "damage" is so small, you can hardly see it - the guy that collected my Scirocco lease was really good so i didn't go over the car with a fine tooth comb and polish out any marks, but this time i had 2 guys that went over the car for about 45 minutes, determined to find the tiniest mark. Lesson learned!

[nco74]

Have they now removed the bit about all damage/ previous/poor repairs must be clearly visible from 2 metres?

Edited by nco74 on Thursday 20th May 15:59