Most rental disputes happen at the return inspection — each side disagrees about whether a particular scratch was there before pick-up or appeared during the rental. The most effective protection is to photograph the vehicle thoroughly when you collect it.
The checklist
- All four corners of the body and both bumpers (scratches, dents, paint loss)
- All four tyres and wheels (bulges, cracks, wear)
- Windscreen, rear window and side glass (cracks, stone chips)
- Fuel gauge and odometer readings
- Seats, interior trim and boot condition
- Roof and mirrors (easy to forget)
How to shoot
Enable time and location metadata on your phone camera, or include the order page in one of the photos so the images are tied to that date. Any existing damage should be itemised on the rental agreement and confirmed by both sides — do not rely on a verbal "that one doesn't count".
At return
Inspect the vehicle together again and compare with your pick-up photos. Once there is no new damage, the fuel level matches the agreement and there are no outstanding traffic violations, the deposit is refunded at the counter. The deposit is not part of the online payment.