basically I hired a very big van to help my sis move house. I used arnold clark company £70 for 1 day, they said if there's any damage then I have to pay £500, they said I can pay extra £10 and if theres damage then I pay just £100. I didn't need the cover as I am confident I wont do any damage etc and take care of it and I did take the best of care. When I returned it the man checked it and said there's a dent and said the man who did the "walk around" check is not available as hes elsewhere. When this man did take me to the van at first he only briefly showed me where isolater switch is in the cab, he said there is a scuff front right side of van but he didnt actually point exactly where. plus as the van was reversed parked up near a fence I wasnt shown the back. mightve breifly been shown the tailgate which is at the corner but forgot I think, so feel sick and depressed When I was loading and offloading stuff there wasnt any instance where I could of damaged it, lots of people with me as witnesses. The elevator thing itself was not on the ground concrete also, and if it was it was always on a smooth flat surface with no rocks etc. what to do? this is fraud? Worst thing is they make out im lying, if I talk to them about it because im not normal I will shake in nerves as im in spotlight and being accused of this my body etc will act as though I have done it and so ive no leg to stand on as they dont realise im not normal. example being even when I contact police to report something I feel nervous round them as though IVE done something

ps also looked online and arnold clark have a very bad rep, labelled crooks and cowboys etc etc

will appreciate any help possible

For the current situation you could ask to see the return inspection sheets for the same vehicle from the last few times it's been hired, to make sure the damage hasn't already been registered under someone else. Take someone you trust along for support, someone who is happy to talk on your behalf and who isn't confrontational.


In the future make sure you inspect the vehicle properly, and take photos/video for proof.

What Matt said. Most reputable companies go round the vehicle with you and they will circle any existing damage on the vehicle on a diagramm on the check sheet. You then compare that when you come back.

If the paint has been broken on the damaged area, check to see if there are signs of rust, this will indicate that it happened a while ago...

they gave me checksheet paperwork stating only front side had a scratch but what they said I damaged was a big dent in the tailgate, which is reinforced steel, it would take some doing to manage that(?) its an arched dent too like half a circle, and a similar one just above it but not as harsh.

The paperwork is their evidence of what is or is not damaged. Keep hold of it. I assume it’s dated and signed by the people there.

Next stop - Citizen’s Advice or your friendly local solicitors to get some advice on what to do next. You certainly want to shore up your position, and while you’ll get lots of helpful advice here, you can’t go wrong with some professional help. Don’t pay anything or offer to pay for any damage as it could be seen as an admission of liability.

Is this normal? they haven't bothered phoning me up atall. my dad says they have dropped the case completly, 2 days overdue phoning btw

I bet a lot of people are scared and pay them on the spot, even knowing it's a scam.

If you're difficult with them, I expect they'll drop it and find an easier mug to rip off. They know it will do them no good to end up in court, in the paper, all over the Internet... Hopefully they gave up already.