The dent was there before. No it wasn't. Every rental company has had that conversation at the counter. A two-minute inspection on a phone, attached to the booking, ends it.
Check-out (before the keys)
- Odometer and fuel level — photographed, not typed from memory.
- Walk-around in the same order every time: front, driver side, rear, passenger side, roof, all four wheels.
- Mark every existing scratch or dent on the diagram; take a close photo of each.
- Glass and lights; interior stains; accessories present.
- Renter reviews the diagram and signs on the phone; they get a copy by email.
Check-in (before the deposit is released)
- Same walk-around, same order.
- New damage marked and photographed; fuel and mileage compared.
- Charges (fuel, extra mileage, cleaning, damage) itemised against the deposit with the photos attached.
- Renter signs; deposit released or partially held with the evidence in the record.
Why on the booking, not on paper
Paper forms get lost and the photos live on someone's phone. When the inspection is on the booking, the deposit decision, the renter's email, the insurance claim and the audit log all point at the same evidence. Disputes drop; the ones that remain are settled in a minute.
Tips from the fleet
- Photograph the dashboard with the rental agreement number visible.
- Inspect in daylight or under the shop lights — never by the airport kerb at night if you can avoid it.
- A second driver goes on the agreement before check-out, not after the accident.
See it working: Live Ezy Car Rentals sites: We Rent Auto · Big Time · Automotion · TS Rentals & Recovery · VB · Fearly New · Ways. Ezy Car Rentals →
Frequently asked
Can I do inspections on a phone?
Yes — Ezy Car Rentals records check-out and check-in inspections with photos on the booking.
Should the renter sign?
Yes — a signature on the diagram at check-out is what makes the check-in comparison hold up.
What about the deposit?
Deposits are recorded on the booking and released or held against the check-in inspection.