Inspection process is unacceptable and creates a serious risk of wrongful charges. C

I rented a car from Europe Car and was later charged for damage I did not cause. When I collected the vehicle there was no staff present to walk me through an inspection or to sign an issuance report — the key was handed over without any formal check. After I returned the car, Europe Car produced a damage charge, but they cannot provide an inspection report covering the time between my return and the next customer issue. That gap means there’s no documented evidence showing when the damage actually occurred, especially while their employees take vehicles for refuelling or washing. This process is unacceptable and creates a serious risk of wrongful charges. Customers should be aware that without proper, time-stamped inspection records and signed handover forms, you can be held responsible for damage that may have occurred while the vehicle was out of your control. I’m left worried about how easily a gap like this could be exploited — whether through sloppy internal procedures or worse. I strongly advise anyone renting from Europe Car to: • Insist on a full walk-through inspection with staff present and sign-off when you collect the car. • Photograph every panel, tyre, and the interior (timestamped if possible) before you drive away and again when you return it. • Keep receipts for any fuel/wash and request the company’s inspection report at both issue and return. If Europe Car can’t produce proper inspection paperwork, don’t accept a damage charge — dispute it, escalate it to the rental branch manager, and consider consumer-protection or your card issuer’s chargeback options.