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Hi,

Am leasing a Vectra from a fleet company, and a few days ago the turbo went whilst en-route to a fare.

They were delayed for a further 5 minutes (ontop of the 10-15 wait they had for me) while another cab was sent out, and I had a two-and-a-half hour wait for a recovery vehicle to take the car back to the lease company for repairs.

It's still in for repairs, and so far have lost out on two days trade, and I expect that will be three or four by the time I get it back.

I've just spoken to them on the phone and I was told they will not refund me for lost trade. They will only refund me for the time the car was off the road in lease costs (and as its four days of £130, that doesn't even come close to recompense my £100/day loss).

I'm having enough trouble paying for my taxi insurance as it is, just paid for another month this week and made it by a matter of a few pounds. I will have lost £300 or £400 by the time I get my car back, not to mention another tank of fuel the mechanics will undoubtedly use, and taxis to get me from A to B.

Am I in any legal position (say, with the FSA or Consumer Rights) to demand compensation for lost trade? The car was an absolute dog when they gave it to me, and it has a maintenance package (about as much use as a wet paper bag, they've only done the tracking once and changed two tyres). It's got a knackered CV joint and a knackered EGR valve to boot.

Unfortunately I have not signed any lease documents, and thus am not in any kind of contract. They simply took my name, address and card details with the word of my boss that I'm good to keep up payments.

I've been trying to get a car from cab direct, but they are insisting on a 5 year contract, even for lease, and a £1500 deposit!! I feel a bit stuck here and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

This is very critical situation. I think you must take an agreement with them.