Enterprise charging me unfairly for missing spare tyre

[Calllalllama]

I drive a van for work and was involved in an accident. The insurance company used Enterprise to give me a replacement vehicle -all good.

When I returned the vehicle it checked out ok but the guy noted their was no spare tyre. This was 19th October and just a few weeks ago in January I recieved a bill for £330.
When I hired it I didn't check for a spare but there were some trails of plastic now I think that is because the spare was removed. They said it is my fault because I should have reported it missing within an hour of hiring but there is no proof that it was taken during my hire. They haven't given any proof that they had it when it was hired.
Does anyone know what my legal position is if I don't pay?

When you took the vehicle did you sign anything confirming its current condition, including that it had a spare tyre?

It doesn't specifically mention a spare tyre, but does not say it's missing either.
The van was late and was cleaned and checked out very fast.

Enterprise are bunch of chancers.

I hired the same van two months apart and the first time got charged for damage I wasn’t convinced we caused. They tried to charge me for exactly the same damage two months later. Luckily I had kept the photos they sent me the first time and asked them for an explanation. They blamed it on a clerical error.

I do wonder how many other people were conned.

Oakbeam · Today 18:18

Enterprise are bunch of chancers.

That's the vibe I'm getting.
I did take a few pictures when I collected it but it never occured to me to look for a spare tyre unfortunately.

Unless they have paperwork or photos, I'd be telling them to jog right the fuck on

I'd ask them to provide proof that there was a spare tyre when they gave it to you.

Enterprise tried to pin damage to a tyre on me. They had car parked up against a wall, it was December so dark and I had to do an initial check for damage and sign to say there wasn’t any. I didn’t even think to check the tyres and was so paranoid of causing damage in the 24 hours that I had the car that I didn’t use it so I know it wasn’t me that caused damage (it was obviously old damage anyway). They took money from my debit card even though they said they’d investigate first when I argued that damage wasn’t down to me.
I did get a refund though so persevere!

Don't pay the bill. They'll have to prove 100% you removed the tyre.

If you don't pay, it'll end up going through a dunning process for them to get their money back. So, potentially debt collectors would come.

Is there anything in the terms and conditions or your rental agreement that mentions spare tyres?

You've always got the BVRLA to fall back on if you've had a final resolution letter.

https://www.bvrla.co.uk/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint-adr.html

If you're not at that point, I recommend addressing your queries to their CEO. It looks like it's someone called Ryan Johnson for their UK operations at the moment.

The form I signed did not mention a spare. I e-mailed yesterday and asked for their damage photos from when I hired the van.
I will look at the BVRLA, thanks.

Well I called the branch I hired from and talked to the people who hired me the vehicle, they said they did not keep the photo's from inital inspection which surprised me.
#He said it was 'not typical' to charge for spares and there was no check for spare tyres on their lists.
He agreed the claim was not valid and it has been closed!
Thanks for the responses it was helpful to get some support
(& I will be taking a lot more photo's when I hire vehicles from now on...!)

Good news!

I thought it sounded unusual. I've never seen mention of missing spare tyres recorded as preexisting damage. That's why I wondered if it might be in the Enterprise Ts&Cs or specified on the rental agreement.

Yes, definitely a good idea to take timestamped photos on pick up. I'd also recommend reporting every single minor imperfection. There's a general rule that a scratch should be deep enough to fit a fingernail in, but if in doubt, report it.