MoneyBarn VT - car has broken belt - advice please

[carman2615]

Hello, 

 

Currently in process of VT with Money Barn, just off the 50% mark but the car has a major engine fault that is just too expensive to fix (Ford EcoBoost, 1.0l, wet belt has failed causing massive compression issues, several garages advised straight engine replacement rather than mess around trying to repair it, which again is more expensive than the car is worth to be honest). 

I am in arrears currently, received a notice from them that I had 21 days to come up with a solution,

spoke to an agent as soon as I got this who advised me of the VT option, the very same day I sent an email expressing my wishes to exercise my right of Voluntary Termination. Had no reply at all from them until this month when a company called Equivo got in touch to 'arrange collection of the vehicle' - happy days I thought.

Read a few posts on here and thought I'd better clarify this is a VT and not a VS, had a response from Moneybarn that they received no contact from me after the initial 21 day notice so had terminated my account, therefore this was a voluntary surrender which in their words 'Works just the same as a VT' - what a load of rubbish. 

I have now gone back to them with proof that I sent in my VT email two weeks before they supposedly terminated my agreement - awaiting response but they can't really argue with my evidence given that part of it is their own confirmation email of my message.

I've cancelled the collection date with Equivo and I will not let them take the vehicle until MB confirm this is a VT. 

The advice I'm asking for is about charges

I'm expecting them to try and get from me once taking the car back (bear in mind I haven't informed them of the issues however it's obvious from the warning lights on dash and clear running issues), from reading previous threads there are lots of messages saying things like 'it's their car so they should pay not you' or words to that effect. 

I guess my question is, that is all well and good being said but how can I convey that to MB and have them agree?

Considering in the terms of agreement etc it does stipulate I am responsible for repair costs to keep it running. 

Any advice welcome, I will of course update with any responses from MB on the VT in the meantime.

 

Thanks,  

[dx100uk]

you already know MB make up their own rules as they go alone hoping you like most mugs believe the crap they come out with

i would not have done VT by email

but by letter

that might be an idea to do now.

simply copy the email and send it to them.

never seen them take anyone to court for a VT'd car being faulty.

as you say..prove its not your fault MB and it was not there at sale.

yes its their car, their problem

if they have one.

then they need to take it up with the dealership that sold you it.

dx

 

[carman2615]

Thanks for the response - I'm going to do everything by email & post now to cover all bases, fed up of being on hold for 40 minutes just for them to turn around and claim I've never spoken to them. 

 

Do you have any advice on what to tell MB regarding the fault if/when they pick it up? Only issue I can see is them regurgitating the Ts & Cs to me about being responsible for repairs, even though the fault isn't anything that could have been helped with servicing etc. (after researching it, it seems its a common problem for this particular model & year, Ford themselves were replacing engines under warranty up to a certain point but that has long expired now). In theory there is nothing I could have done, maintenance wise, to prevent the fault happening. For reference it's a 64 plate Focus, 1.0l ecoboost engine. 

 

I'm just struggling to come up with anything I can use to refuse to pay for any repairs - can they enforce any charges? As in if I refuse to agree to them what can they do? I don't want this hanging on my credit file as I'm going to need to get another car through finance at some point over the next few months (definitely not touching Money Barn again even if they would take me!).

 

Apologies for all of the questions, I'm new to the forum and have read through as much as I can on the MB topic.  

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by carman2615

[dx100uk]

stop using the ruddy phone

writing ONLY.

once VT goes thru they cant and wont charge anything .not your problem.

let them goto court if they want too.... seriously.

trouble is you've spent too much time listening to their lies which they will never put in writing.

T&C's are just that, they are not all enforceable. else how did M's get bank charges & PPI back?

 

[theoldrouge]

As dx has said you don’t need to come up with any reason just complete the VT
You must use post for communication with these idiots 

[carman2615]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it. 

Still waiting on a response from Money Barn. I've informed Equivo that I'm disputing this with MB and therefore will not arrange a collection of the vehicle until it is resolved. 

It might sound like a stupid question, but assuming they eventually accept the VT, can I just point blank refuse to pay any charges/damages if and when MB tell me I have to pay them? And if so, what do you think MB are likely to do in response? I'm happy to be as difficult with them as needed but equally don't want to still be arguing with them in a few years when I receive an unexpected bill or something. 

I'm fully aware of needing to pay up to 50% mark and happy to do so, but I don't know how to do that whilst avoiding paying any charges on it. 

I appreciate that I can tell them "it's not my problem" all day long, but realistically I just can't see how they would let it go.  

[theoldrouge]

No need to “assume “ when MB accept the VT
So long as you correctly word your VT letter 
they have no choice but to accept 
Do not sign any of their forms and make sure you date photograph the entire car inside and out and the engine compartment before collection 
They cannot charge for collection
The car merely needs to be in a condition commensurate with its age

You will need to pay to the 50% mark plus any arrears but this can be by instalments if you need to 

Edited July 12, 2023 by theoldrouge

[dx100uk]

3 hours ago, carman2615 said:

can I just point blank refuse to pay any charges/damages if and when MB tell me I have to pay them?

you do not respond at all!!

dx