It's suggested that more car hire companies are holding onto their autos for longer, meaning their fleets are becoming aged with higher mileages. That can mean that some mechanical issues will create the potential for claims against a driver for damages.
That's a reason for clients to begin to reject cars that are not acceptable for whatever the reason may be and ensure they carry adequate coverage when traveling.
When you don't take a long, hard look at a well-worn vehicle before heading off the lot, you could be held responsible for any body damage, not to mention the potential for a messy, perhaps smoky interior. That's particularly if you don't report these things to the agents and insist on receiving a better option.
No one wants to take a holiday in a smoky-smelling car and then return being held responsible for smoking in the auto and charged an exorbitant fee. It works similarly to those who don't report damages on vehicles and come back only to face claims against their insurance for pre-existing damages.
When you can say “no” to a car and request a much better option, you need to take advantage of that. Let's look at when you should say “no” to the auto.
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When Should You Just Say “No” To A Car Rental
Most car rental agencies in the industry are reliable. You can check goautos.no/leiebil/los angeles to see what's available in the Los Angeles area. Many are beginning to hold onto their fleets meaning cars are developing age and mileage.
That can also mean more maintenance, and some are taking on smells from smokers breaking the rules in the vehicles. While attempting to clean the odor is fruitless, these cars should likely be retired, but agencies do still attempt to rent these to customers.
The very best a client can do at the first notice of this on pickup is say “no” for numerous reasons. In fact, when picking up an auto with noticeable issues of any kind, a customer has the right to reject the car and ask for something different. Let's look at some of these.
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Smoky odor in the car
When inspecting the car before leaving the lot, you need to check the interior for damages as well. Also, ensure the features like the turn signals and the windshield wipers work, no warnings on the dash, plus there are no damages to the fabric or the flooring.
It's important to check the mileage. If there is greater than 30,000 miles, refuse the auto and ask for one with less. Generally, rental providers won't keep vehicles over that capacity, but some are using the older cars with higher mileage.
Still, customers are not so willing to risk these when traveling if there's a breakdown and they're held responsible.
One of the most important things to notice is if there is any smoke smell. It might not be evident to you if you're a smoker, so it's better to have someone who doesn't smoke check.
For one reason, you don't want people who don't smoke riding around breathing second-hand smoke from a car. Also, even though there is a smoker in the group, that person should not be blamed for smoking in the vehicle when it was clearly the driver who had the car previously.
This particular car needs to be rejected and reported to the agents. The representatives should be doing the initial inspection with you. Still, some agencies like to keep some of their car issues under wraps hoping you won't notice, especially smoky cars, sort of like car rental secrets.
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Exterior Damages
When inspecting for damages, whether on the interior or exterior, it's wise to use a video or photo that's date/time stamped. Most likely, you'll use video to get a seamless picture of the entire outside (and inside).
You want to focus on any dents, dings, scratches, scuff, or otherwise irregularities that can come back to present you with a claim if you don't report it now. Many agents will advise that these “little” marks are okay, but they're not because they will be made a deal if you don't document them.
Check the tires to make sure these are not worn or bald, see if you can notice nails on the surfaces or signs they're deflating. Ensure the headlights and brake lights come on.
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Registration issues
Many people forget to check before leaving the rental agency if the documentation on the vehicle is up-to-date as far as the registration, tags, insurance, and everything that needs taking care of regularly.
If you happen to get caught unaware by the police, it could be significantly troubling save for the rental car paperwork that you have to show that you're not responsible for keeping these things current.
That still doesn't mean the vehicle won't be impounded and undrivable, leaving you stranded until the company brings you another car that has all its legal documentation. The situation can be avoided if you inquire about these things before signing the rental contract and accepting a vehicle.
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The wrong vehicle
If there are mechanical issues such as you can't determine how the auto engages into drive or reverse or where the lights come on or how the windshield wipers operate, these features might be somewhat intricate, and it's vital that you feel comfortable using these while you drive.
Also, if you requested an automatic and received a stick shift but have never driven a stick shift, you will need to be given another car. The whole idea when renting a car is to take a road trip in the US, perhaps Los Angeles, or maybe another country and feel comfortable while you drive.
If you settle for something in order to not make waves, you'll be the one stuck, likely having a poor time because of it. It's okay to reject a car that you didn't ask for or that you can't figure out.
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Check the windshield
Likely there is not a problem, but there can be the slightest most minute ding that everyone misses, and when you're in a state that has extreme temperature, it can be enough for the glass to seize from that ding that no one noticed. If you see anything that looks like a dimple or a pinhole, turn the car away so you don't have to worry about something happening and try to prove it wasn't your fault.
Fortunately, most agencies should realize that rocks can pop up in this particular situation, especially on busy highways or on rough roads in other countries, but whether they hold a customer responsible is their call. If you have coverage, it shouldn't be an issue.
Final Thought
No one has to take a car that doesn't feel right. Every time you start a contract for a car hire, the first thing you need to do before signing is to inspect the car inside and out, especially if it's an older car.
More agencies are holding onto the aged vehicles with the higher mileage, and some customers are okay in hiring these autos, but you have to be careful when making your selections. Click here for some car rental rules you might not know about.
A thorough inspection of the vehicle inside and out can save much time and effort by allowing you to either accept or reject the car. You don't want to be held responsible for issues that are not your own when the auto is dropped off, and that's a very real possibility if you don't go over the car initially with a rental provider agent.
In most situations, if you're cordial in requesting another car and the agents see your reasoning for wanting one, there's no issue with giving you a different one that suits your needs and your comfortability.
Their goal is to ensure you're satisfied, so you return to use their service again, not to make you unhappy, so you go elsewhere.
