Before driving off in a rental car, spend 10 minutes inspecting it together with the rental company: photos of all four sides, every scratch noted in the contract, fuel level, spare tire and the car's documents. That small ritual is your best guarantee that the deposit comes back to your pocket in full.
This is the same inspection we do with every customer at our branch — and publishing it benefits everyone: a customer who inspects well means a return with zero arguments. Use it with us or with any rental company in the world.
Why the initial inspection matters
The pick-up inspection protects both sides: it ensures no pre-existing damage gets attributed to you, and it gives the rental company a clear starting point. The key word is evidence — everything documented (in photos and in the contract) leaves nothing to argue about at return.
At Alebrijes we do the inspection together, with you present, and observations go into the contract before signing. Never sign a rental contract — here or anywhere — without having walked around the car.
Exterior checklist (5 minutes)
- 1Photograph all four sides of the car and the roof. In good light, close up and from a distance. It takes 2 minutes and it's gold.
- 2Walk the body looking for scratches, dings or dents — and make sure EACH one is noted in the contract.
- 3Check all 4 tires (general condition) and confirm there's a spare with tools (jack and wrench).
- 4Glass and mirrors: no chips or cracks.
- 5Photo of the license plate and the dashboard (odometer and fuel level).
Interior checklist (3 minutes)
- 1Fuel level noted in the contract — that's how the return level is agreed.
- 2Air conditioning working (non-negotiable on the coast).
- 3Lights: high beams, low beams, turn signals and brake lights.
- 4Wipers and washer fluid (essential in the rainy season).
- 5Seatbelts in every seat.
- 6Registration card in the glovebox (you'll be asked for it at any checkpoint).
The contract: what to read before signing
You don't need to read every clause in the parking lot, but do verify four concrete things:
- The total rate and what it includes (with us: unlimited mileage and basic liability coverage).
- The deposit amount and the condition for its return.
- The pre-existing damage notes you wrote down together.
- The emergency contact number (save it to your phone before driving off).
During the rental: one single rule
If anything happens — a mystery scratch in a parking lot, a bump, a flat tire — tell the rental company at that moment, on WhatsApp and with a photo. An incident reported instantly gets solved with goodwill; one discovered at return creates doubts for both sides.
At return: close the loop
- 1Return at the agreed time (running late? a WhatsApp beforehand solves almost everything).
- 2Return with the fuel level agreed in the contract.
- 3Do the final inspection together, using the pick-up photos as reference.
- 4Confirm the release of your deposit before leaving.
With a proper initial inspection, the return takes 5 minutes and the deposit is released without friction. That's the happy ending of the vast majority of our rentals.
Pick-up FAQs
How long does the car inspection take at pick-up?
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About 10 minutes covering exterior, interior and contract. It's the best time investment of your whole rental.
What if I find a scratch I didn't see at pick-up?
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Tell us immediately on WhatsApp with a photo. That's why the initial photos matter so much: if the scratch already shows in them, there's nothing to argue.
Do I really need photos if the rental company seems trustworthy?
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Yes, always, at any rental company in the world. Photos aren't distrust: they're the evidence that protects both sides. We ask you to take them ourselves.
What if I return the car with less fuel?
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The pick-up level is noted in the contract and the difference is settled at return. Simplest move: fill up before returning and hand it back as you received it.
When do I get my deposit back?
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Once the final inspection confirms the car is in the same condition as at pick-up. With the initial inspection documented, it's a matter of minutes.