Hot Tips for the care of your vehicle:
Prior to your vehicle collection, it is a good idea to inspect your car in the same manner that the vehicle Collection Team will do. This will allow you to see for yourself what, if any, repairs need to be made.
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Try to assess your vehicle ten weeks before it is due for return. This will allow you time to have any undue fair wear and tear faults rectified.
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Choose a time and place with good natural daylight. It is easy to miss faults when looking at a vehicle in poor light.
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Walk all the way around the vehicle and examine each panel closely including the roof, bonnet and boot/hatchback. The light will reflect differently from dents and scratches.
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Crouch or kneel down at the front and rear of the vehicle and look along each side. This will help you pick up marks and dents that may otherwise be difficult to spot.
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Inspect lamps, lenses, windows and mirrors for chips, cracks and holes.
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Check the tyres (including the spare) for damage and that the wear on the tread across each tyre is even. Inspect wheels and wheel trims (if fitted) for scratches, dents or gouges.
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Clean and valet the interior.
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Check upholstered areas for tears, burns, excessive marking or wear.
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Inspect all controls, including audio equipment and accessories, for damage.
Frequent use of automated car washes will damage the paint work. Strong chemicals detract from the paint work's shine, so avoid using household washing-up liquids.
One of the hazards of everyday motoring is stone chips. You can reduce this occurrence by leaving a greater distance from the car in front of you. The proper breaking distance diminishes chips by 80%.
It doesn't take long for a stone chip to develop into a rusty spider under the paint. But you can purchase a touch-up kit from your local vehicle Dealer. Simply ask the Dealer to check your vehicle and you'll be provided with the exact colour match.
When you wash or clean your vehicle, take a few minutes to check for chips. If you find any, just use the touch-up paint to cover the chip. Take care not to apply too much paint. It's sometimes best to use a matchstick rather than the brush, as the brush can apply too much paint in one go. Of course, the benefit of doing this will, in the long term, prevent rust forming on the exposed metal and the subsequent damage charges when your vehicle is returned.
Incorrect tyre pressure lowers your petrol mileage, causes your vehicle to handle poorly and can lead to blowouts.
To get the best performance from your vehicle while preventing serious damage to your engine, change your oil and filter according to our guidelines, and add coolant when needed.
For other tips on keeping your vehicle in great shape (and thus avoiding any damage charges), refer to your vehicle's maintenance guide.
Only use your vehicle's approved workshop for body work. Unfortunately, we see vehicles with poor repair work. Hence, customers have been charged for further work. For the best results, use your vehicle's body repair specialist.
Make sure that any floor mats supplied with your vehicle remain in it. If they wear through, arrange with your vehicle's approved Dealer to replace them.
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Your vehicle must be in good condition and free from damage, in accordance with the our Vehicle Return Standards.
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Your vehicle must be free from damage, including that caused by the removal of:
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Mobile phones, towbars and your own equipment, and must be free of burn marks to seat cushions and trim.
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Your vehicle must be in a clean condition, both inside and outside, and ready for inspection by our driver. If not, we may have to postpone the collection and you will be charged for this.