Car impounded while away on holidays

Came back last night from an 8 day trip visiting the in-laws to see that our car was missing. While we were away signs had been put up and our car was towed yesterday morning, these signs were not there when we left. The lady at the impound said we should have had someone checking the car every 3 days and we've no comeback. Anyone any experience with this and think I've any chance of claiming the €250 fine back?

There was also a dent with scratches in it just below the indicator light. It's a fresh dent as the car is pretty dirty, can I also claim for this? The impound took a picture and we signed a form detailing this.

You're out of luck. My car was towed away becuase it was parked on the route of the pope's visit. I had to pay parking fine, and towing charges, and since I appealed administration charges of another Euro 80. The official word is that your car must be checked on a daily basis, not every 3 days.

According to this page http://www.123recht.net/printarticle.asp?a=830 , no, you have no chance.

Some other pages say otherwise (e.g. you don't have to pay the costs), but realistically this is can only be case that your car was removed within the 3 day "warning" window.

According to what I've seen on TV documentaries, normally when a car is removed, the car is checked for damage, as the removal company wants to be sure you don't claim against them for existing damages. Whilst not saying that they didn't damage the car in this instance, I wouldn't rule out the fact that the car could have been damaged whilst it was parked, and before it was removed.

That's what I was thinking

Not sure about the dent and scratch, it's definitely new. The car was parked on a narrow street across from where some sewer works are being carried out. That's why it was towed, it could have been done by them.

If you have legal insurance you could check if it covers claims like that and chase them for the repairs, but if you don't have insurance or it doesn't cover it then I'd let it go.