Cobra, a vehicle repair firm, has filed suit against VMS Global. As a consequence, dozens of vehicles—a number of which belong to everyday people—are being seized based on allegations of non-payment of a loan. Cobra’s managing director, Greg Ebeling, has alleged that VMS is behind on contracts completely unrelated to Cobra. This disagreement led to the refusal to release the vehicles.
January’s car was hit by a Bidfood delivery lorry. After the event in question, VMS gave BN a hire car while they towed away his damaged car. After a long nine-month wait, BN finally got his car back just last week. To his surprise, it had gained an additional 46 miles. The car’s route took it to many symbolic places across London. This is further supported by five PCNs issued for the vehicle.
NC also met a similar fate when her car was wrecked by a Bidfood lorry back in June. Just yesterday NC got notice that her car was finally going to be returned this week. Later, she found out that Cobra had lost the keys. This has led to confusion for people directly impacted by the recall about how their cars will be treated.
Today, VMS Global’s primary role with Bidfood has shifted to handling new claim and repair procedures after a Bidfood delivery truck is damaged in an accident. Bidfood has experienced “unacceptable delays” and severe service problems. Thanks to the public outcry on social media and elsewhere, they’ve made the right decision to cut ties with VMS. That’s awfully alarming considering that VMS now is responsible for another 23 vehicles on behalf of different clients, including Iceland.
Cobra has made the decision to sue. They retained a union solicitor, who has appointed an independent solicitor to contact VMS and redemand the return of BN and NC’s vehicles. As a final resort, the solicitor stressed that they would have to go to court if the matter is not quickly cleared up.
“We have highlighted that our client may be forced into seeking an injunction for release of vehicles, and that any separate alleged monetary dispute should be dealt with under normal court procedure and protocols, as opposed to using vehicles as attempted leverage.” – Bidfood’s solicitor
Ebeling now contends that the failure to return the cars is due to VMS’s unpaid invoices to Cobra. He announces Cobra is unable to ship the vehicles until they sort out the money issue with VMS. The continued dispute and the paralysis it’s created has brought huge embarrassment for BN and NC. They shouldn’t have to be stranded without their vehicles due to forces outside their control.
In NC’s case, she received five PCNs related to unpaid ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charges, indicating that her vehicle was operated without her knowledge during its time in VMS’s possession. This creates a second level of complexity for each person as they both struggle with the fallout from the feud.
“There have been unacceptable delays by VMS Global and the withholding of vehicles, following disputes with garages they engaged to undertake repairs.” – Bidfood
The ripple effect from this debacle has vexed countless clients and many members of the public. Both BN and NC are now fighting to ensure that they, and everyone else like them, get their cars back without unnecessary delay or hassle. The case demonstrates the significant impact that corporate clashes can have on regular Americans who depend on their cars just to get around.
Iceland took a pass on this perennial bone of contention. A larger cloud of uncertainty hangs over the fate of the broader implications for clients working with VMS Global. We understand both parties are currently engaged in earnest negotiation. It’s unknown, at least publicly, what’s the timeline for BN, NC, and others impacted to receive their vehicles back.