The five minutes you spend inspecting a hire car before driving away are the most valuable minutes of your entire rental. Rental companies do not always accurately record pre-existing damage — and if a chip, scratch or dent goes undocumented, you may find yourself paying for something that was there before you arrived.
Here is the complete pre-drive checklist, in the order you should do it.
1. Do a full exterior walk-around first
Before you even open the car, walk around it slowly in good light. Look at every panel, bumper, wheel arch, mirror and glass surface. Pay particular attention to:
- The front and rear bumpers — the most commonly damaged areas
- Both door sills — prone to scratch marks from previous drivers
- All four alloy wheels — kerbing damage is common and often charged separately from bodywork
- The windscreen — chips and cracks at eye level
- The roof — harder to see but often checked by suppliers at return
- Under the front and rear bumpers — reverse damage is very common
2. Photograph everything with timestamped photos
This is the single most important thing you can do. Use your smartphone — the automatic timestamp in photo metadata is your proof. Photograph:
- Every single panel, including undamaged ones
- All four wheels and tyres (including the spare if accessible)
- The interior — seats, dashboard, carpet, door panels
- The fuel gauge and mileage reading
- The condition report paperwork (photograph it even if you keep a copy)
3. Check the condition report carefully
The hire company should give you a condition report (sometimes called a "walk-around form" or "vehicle inspection sheet") showing pre-existing damage. Compare it to what you found in step 1:
- If you found damage that isn't on the form, insist it's added before you sign
- If the agent says "that's too small to note" — insist anyway. The same agent won't be there when you return the car
- Keep your copy of the condition report in a safe place until after your final charge settles
4. Check under the bonnet (for longer rentals)
For rentals longer than a week, check:
- Oil level — should be between the minimum and maximum marks
- Coolant level — in the transparent reservoir, should be at "cold" maximum
- Windscreen washer fluid — particularly important in winter
5. Check the tyres
Tyre damage is one of the most disputed areas of car hire. Before driving:
- Check all four tyres for cuts, bulges or significant uneven wear
- Check tyre pressure if possible — underinflated tyres increase the risk of damage
- Locate the spare tyre and check it's inflated and in useable condition
6. Test all the controls
Before leaving the lot:
- Adjust the seat and mirrors to your position
- Test all indicators, headlights and hazards
- Confirm the fuel type (petrol/diesel/electric) — misfuelling is not covered by insurance
- Check the fuel policy (full-to-full or full-to-empty) and note the fuel level
- Test the air conditioning — particularly important in hot climates
- Locate the jack and tyre-changing equipment
7. Confirm the insurance excess
Before driving away, confirm in writing the exact excess amount you're liable for. The amount should match what was shown at booking. If a desk agent quotes a different (higher) figure, do not sign until it's been corrected or you've spoken to a manager.
What to do if you find undisclosed damage after leaving the lot
If you discover damage after leaving (perhaps in a car park with better lighting), call the hire company's number immediately and report it. Ask for a reference number for the report. This time-stamps your notification and protects you from being blamed for the damage later.