Rental car inspection: at pickup and at return

The inspection is the shortest moment of a rental, and the one that prevents the most disputes. On DriveGo it happens in the app, with photos, at pickup and at return.

Why the inspection matters

At return, the agency compares the car's condition with its condition at pickup. Without a written, photographed record of the pickup, an old scratch can be blamed on the last driver. With a complete inspection, the comparison is simple and objective, for you and for the agency.

At pickup: what the agency employee does

The employee handling the pickup follows a checklist in the app:

1. They check your documents.
2. They walk around the car and photograph it: front, rear, sides, interior, dashboard.
3. They rate each checklist item as good, minor damage or major damage.
4. They place existing damage on the car diagram.
5. They record the fuel level and the mileage.
6. You sign, they sign, and the inspection is saved.

Photos are time-stamped. The inspection works even without signal: it is uploaded automatically as soon as the phone is back online.

What you can do

• Look at the photos before signing.
• Point out anything missing: a scratch under a handle, a chip on the windscreen.
• Check the fuel level and mileage recorded.

At return: the same inspection, compared

At return, the agency repeats the inspection with the same steps. Both sets of photos stay in your rental history. If new damage is found, it is reported in the app with its photos, severity and position on the diagram, and the agency handles it according to its conditions and the insurance chosen.

For agencies: why it helps

For the agency, a structured inspection means:

Agencies can learn more about DriveGo's tools for agencies.

Read next

To understand what insurance covers if damage appears, read our guide to rental insurance.