Posted on May 12, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

Most holidaymakers who rent cars have an easy, trouble-free experience. The unlucky few who don’t are kicking themselves that they didn’t twig potential problems within the first few minutes of collecting their vehicle.

So before you you jump in and sign on the dotted line,  ensure you’ve at least taken photographic evidence of your rental car with a digital camera (think before and after shots) and then check up on the following…

Bodywork:

Give the outside of the car a good once-over. Always note or photograph anything that seems out of place including bumps, dents and scratches. These should be reported immediately to the car rental representative on duty. You should also check that these have been recorded there and then on your car hire agreement.

Interior:

After a long flight, you’ll be forgiven for wanting to make a quick exit from the airport, but don’t let your wanderlust stop you from carrying out a proper check of the interiors, including upholstery, radio, controls and the glove compartment – again, make sure that any damage is recorded.

Safety:

This is possibly the most important thing you can do for you and your family’s safety. Ensure that all seatbelts are properly working and check brake lights, lights and windscreen wipers. You should also check that the steering and brakes work properly by taking a spin around the car park before you leave the pick-up agency.

Mileage:

All car hire agreements differ in relation to mileage. Check whether your policy offers limited or unlimited mileage. Ensure that you write down the mileage when you collect your car and again, verify that this is recorded on your car hire agreement if necessary.

Fuel:

Fuel policies ares the most divisive issues when renting a car. Some car rental companies offer you a full tank, while others provide you with an empty tank and leave it up to you to buy petrol. Always ensure you understand the agreement with the company you are using.

All of these checks are very quick and easy and will save you much stress when dropping back your rental car. You should also have a clearer conscience after making these checks, not to mention the fact that you will actually be able to locate the lights and windscreen wipers when you need to use them.