11 things experts recommend thinking about before handing over the vehicle to the lessor
1. Cleanliness of the vehicle
The vehicle must be returned in the same condition as when you collected it, i.e. clean enough inside and out to allow an inspection to be carried out. There must also be no rubbish left in the vehicle.
2. Condition of the fuel tank
Make sure you check the condition of the fuel tank (empty/full) when you collect the vehicle. The vehicle must be returned with the exact condition (or higher) as when you collected it. There is an extra charge for refuelling the vehicle.
3. Bodywork
There must be no scratches larger than 2 cm on the paintwork and no dents larger than 2 cm below the paintwork surface with paint damage. Take care of the edges of the doors, door handles, bumpers on the underside of the car, bonnet and roof. Also, unpainted body parts must not be scratched or scuffed. Body parts must not be loose or even sticking out.
4. Windows
There must be no scratches, peeling, chips or cracks on the windscreen or other windows. Pay particular attention to the black (lower) zone of the windscreen. A crack in this area cannot be repaired/sealed.
5. Technical condition
The vehicle must not have any technical defects, engine damage or mechanical defects such as non-functioning windows.
6. Vehicle documents
Just as you check your personal documents, you should not forget those of the vehicle. Always take possession of the vehicle with a small or large registration card and a green card. The documents must be handed over in the same form.
7. Mileage
Unless you are booking a rental without a mileage limit, make sure you keep to your pre-paid mileage limit. This is usually per day or month. The mileage is always recorded in the acceptance report when you take delivery of the vehicle.
8. Tyres and wheels
The tyres must not have a significant crack or blow-out. The legal tread depth for summer tyres is 1,6 mm and for winter tyres 3,0 mm. Alloy or metal wheels must not be damaged, scratched, peeled or broken.
9. Interior
Do not forget to check the interior. Look out for scratches on the steering wheel, damage or scratches on the dashboard, damage to the electronics and their controls. These must not be loose or broken off. Also look out for damage to the seats and boot and plastics. If you have removed any mandatory equipment or jack or other accessories, be sure to put them back in the vehicle.
10. Loading compartment
There must be no grooves or significant scratches in the hard floor. The floor of the vehicle must not be dented or punctured. Door and wall panels must be free from corrosion. Furthermore, beware of damage to the dividing wall between the cab and the load compartment, to the mudguards and to the walls on the sides of the vehicle. Always anchor your transported items properly!
11. Exterior
As with passenger cars, beware of damage or scratches to the roof of the vehicle, the loading edge of the cargo area and the entire bodywork. There must be no scratches larger than 2 cm on the paintwork and no dents larger than 2 cm below the paint surface with paint damage.