Why inspect carefully
Pickup inspection is not a formality; it protects you. If you do not check the car at the start and a scratch appears at return, you cannot prove it was already there. Filming the car's condition at pickup lets you compare later and show that a mark was pre-existing, so you do not pay for it. This is how you protect yourself, and it must be done.
Time and place for inspection
However rushed you are, set aside 20 to 30 minutes for inspection rather than driving off immediately. Choose a well-lit location rather than a dark corner, because small scratches are hard to see in poor light. The twenty minutes you spend now can save you money later.
How to film the walk-around video
Use your phone to record a full loop around the car. Start at the front, capturing the whole front end including the bumper, headlights, and hood, then move slowly along the side. Film both sides completely, including the front and rear doors, mirrors, tires, and taillights. Film the rear with the bumper, trunk lid, and lights. Give close coverage to the four corners, which are most prone to scrapes. Record all four tires for tread damage and curb marks on the wheels. Inside, open the doors and film the front and rear seats, center console, and dashboard for dirt or tears. Finally, record the fuel gauge and the odometer reading clearly, since these are compared at return.
What to check in person
Beyond video, check several things by hand. Open all four doors for frame damage or scratches. Look over the front and rear glass and windows for cracks or stone chips, which can spread later. Kneel down to inspect the tires for deep tread, bulges, or cuts; a car with poor tires is unsafe and you can request a different one. Test the lights, including headlights, indicators, brake lights, and hazard lights. Check the wipers and washer fluid, and run the air conditioning for both cooling and heating.
What to do if you find a scratch
If you find a scratch or dent at inspection, do not ignore it. Point it out to our staff on the spot and have it written on the inspection sheet with its location and size, and capture it clearly in your video. If you do not raise it, we may attribute it to you at return. Small marks that do not damage the primer generally do not lead to a charge, but they should still be noted so they are not blamed on you.
Check the interior too
Many people only look outside, but the interior matters. Check the seats for holes or stains, the console for scratches, the door pockets for damage, and the seatbelts for smooth operation. Raise any interior problems on the spot so they are recorded and you are not accused of soiling the seats later.
Take a short test drive
If possible, drive a short loop in the parking lot to test the brakes, throttle, and steering. Check that the brakes respond, the wheel does not pull to one side, and the throttle is smooth. Raise any problem immediately and we will swap the car. Do not wait until you are on a highway to discover a brake issue.
Inspect at return as well
Film a loop at return, not just pickup. Before handing the car back, record it to see whether any new marks exist. If you did not scratch it, this is your evidence. During our staff's return inspection, stay nearby and note what is recorded. If a mark is raised, you can compare it with the pickup video to establish whether it was already there.
Common inspection disputes
Small scratches: the pickup video shows whether a mark existed before. Interior dirt: the original video shows whether the seats were already soiled. Fuel level: your fuel receipt shows when and where you refilled. Tire damage: the pickup tire footage shows whether a cut or curb mark was pre-existing.
My advice
First, spend 20 minutes inspecting at pickup and do not rush away. Second, film a full loop covering the corners, tires, interior, fuel gauge, and odometer. Third, point out any scratch on the spot and have it recorded. Fourth, take a short test drive to confirm the brakes, throttle, and steering. Fifth, film at return as well. Sixth, keep the videos until after the deposit is refunded in case any issue arises.
In short, pickup inspection is a protection rather than a formality. Twenty minutes can save you thousands later. If you are unsure, we will walk you through each step at pickup, so you do not need to be nervous.
Zara
Yunnan Province International Travel Agency (Group) Co., Ltd.
WeChat/WhatsApp: +86 13759155671
WeChat ID: qxzj7557
Email: [email protected]