Man appeals €1,600 dent repair fine in Andorra car rental dispute

A man convicted of unlawfully keeping a rented car beyond its term has appealed to Andorra's Superior Court, challenging a €1,600 civil liability order for dent repairs he insists he did not cause.

The case stems from an incident where the defendant failed to return the rental vehicle on time. The rental company reported the matter to police, leading Mossos d'Esquadra officers in Catalonia to stop him while driving and impound the car until the company retrieved it days later. He was later convicted of misappropriation for these actions, with civil responsibility covering unpaid rental fees and excess mileage.

The dispute centres on additional damages claimed by the company. Upon recovery, it alleged the car showed extensive dents resembling vandalism, justifying the €1,600 repair bill. However, police reports from both local Andorran officers and the Mossos noted no visible defects or damage when the vehicle was seized.

The defendant's lawyer argued in court this week that the dents could not have been present under police custody, stating: "If there were no dents when the Mossos had the vehicle, it is not possible to make him pay for their repair. He should not be liable for those €1,600."

Unusually, the public prosecutor supported the appeal, modifying its response after reviewing evidence. It concluded the police documentation—describing the car as undamaged—made it "very likely" the dents did not exist at impoundment. The prosecutor requested the €1,600 be deducted from the total civil liability upheld in the original ruling.

The Superior Court heard arguments this week but has not yet issued a decision. The case underscores the need to prove who caused vehicle damage in rental disputes before imposing costs on the hirer.