AIBU to question this charge?

[alloyconundrum]

I hired a car which I returned today. It was brand new and when I picked it up the lady mentioned to be careful as the alloy design means it's easy to damage (it's not very 'set in' to the tyre, so not very protected).

Sadly I ended up scratching the alloy on 2 wheels, my bad. I told them about it when I brought it back in, as I thought I might as well, they're going to notice as it's brand new (perhaps a mistake?)

They are going to take £250 out of the deposit for this damage. Is this an expected amount? I've never had damage so I don't really know. Next time should I refuse to take a brand new car, as I think the scratches wouldn't really be that noticeable had it been on a car with existing wear & tear. Is there anything I can say or do to pay less or do I chalk it up to experience? Any advice appreciated.

I know it's my own stupid fault but I really didn't think it was going to cost that much, so I am feeling super bummed out, especially since hiring the car cost £257 so it's basically doubled what I spent :(

You do have to be super careful with hire cars. Enterprise don’t charge for small scuffs and I always use them if I need a hire car. A lesson learnt to read the small print

Alloys cost a fortune to get refurbished so I think that’s cheap.

Granddaughter 20 months slow to talk

YANBU to be annoyed but there's not much you can do - always check the smallprint.

The hire company could do everyone a favour though and not have cars with features especially prone to minor damage. If the woman had to warn you that the alloys were a high risk, maybe it would be sensible not to have those particular alloys on a hire car.

It's almost as if they're hoping lots of people will create minor damage and they'll be able to rake it in by withholding deposits...

Doesn’t your hire car insurance cover the costs of this damage?

I think you have to pay extra at the start of you want that cover unfortunately to avoid charges under the excess

It's an expensive lesson but at least it's a warning for next time

Eh? Sorry, what does that have to do with the OP's scratched hire car?

Yeah. 100 odd for wheel refurbishment is about the going rate. Tyre has to be removed etc. Not a 2 minute job..

i don’t know what you can do, but that seems like normal wear and tear? insane.

I'm always scared of this happening to me, so I always take out a hire car damage excess insurance policy separately. It's usually very cheap and gives me peace of mind. There's loads of providers online - you don't have to do it through the hire car place itself. I know it's unfortunately no help to you on this occasion, but I thought it might be helpful for you going forwards so you're not worrying about it happening again.

They look like they’re diamond cut alloys so they’re definitely on the more expensive side to refurb. It’s always worth getting a damage waiver because then it doesn’t cost you for knocks like this.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to take it on the chin.
Worse still, they’ll probably not repair them until the car goes back to the manufacturer so you’re the first of many customers to contribute towards their repair.

This is a good tip, thank you. And thanks to everyone else for their input and sympathy! I will chalk it up to experience but might send an email suggesting what @Dotjones said just to let them know that I think it's a bit unreasonable. Not that they'd care.