We paid £55 for airport parking only to come back to our car smashed up with £1,300 worth of damage – we’re furious

A COUPLE were left stunned when they returned from holiday to find their car smashed up after leaving it with an airport parking service.

Sam Watkins and Chiara Ferri, both 30, paid £55 to have their car looked after by Maple Parking at Luton Airport while they took a city break to .

The pair left their VW Polo with Maple on October 15 but, when they returned just two days later, they found it had suffered £1,300 worth of damage.

Sam, from Farnham, Surrey, said that he got a call from the company claiming that another vehicle had reversed into his, but that they tried to get out of covering the cost of the repair.

He also claimed that the driver who returned the car to them, with a smashed headlight and bashed right side, abandoned the pair at the meeting point before he could ask them about the accident.

This left Sam having to drive the battered car home, after apparently being told no alternative transport could be arranged by Maple.

The company insists that the damage was cosmetic and the car was safely driveable.

Fuming, Sam said: "When we returned it was really late, and we were hoping to just pick the car up and drive home.

"But it wasn't as simple as that, and when we turned up at the meeting point no one was there to greet us.

"We were confused, until I received a call from Maple saying there had been an accident involving our car and another vehicle."

He added: "It became clear that we were going to have to drive our smashed-up car back home ourselves, down the motorway, in the middle of the night.

"It was so unsafe, and the front of the car was flapping about - we were terrified."

The next day, he contacted the company again, but said that they failed to take responsibility for the ordeal.

He also claimed that they didn't cooperate until he threatened to go to the press.

Maple Parking did not respond directly to that claim, but did say that Sam was provided with a courtesy vehicle to drive while his was repaired.

The matter has since been resolved, with Maple paying for the repairs at a total cost of £1,339.20.

The frustrated motorist said: "I'm relieved now that they've finally owned up to their mistake and covered the cost of the damages.

"But it shouldn't have taken this long, and it's safe to say I won't be using their services again.

"The way Maple tried to duck and dive rather than accept responsibility is shocking."

A spokesperson for the company said: "We can confirm that when Mr Watkins collected his vehicle it was safe and driveable, having only sustained cosmetic damage.

"This is confirmed by our CCTV and Mr Watkins’ own video. In addition, both headlights were working prior to him collecting his vehicle.

"Mr Watkins made the decision to drive the vehicle home and was subsequently provided with a complimentary courtesy vehicle (a brand New Rav 4) until his vehicle was returned fully repaired.

"We have since spoken to Mr Watkins who confirms that he is happy that the incident has been resolved to his full satisfaction."