We are renting a car in Madrid, and returning the car in the Costa del Sol after a week. The most convenient car retun location is closed on our return date, but we are told to use a drop box. I am extremely uncomfortable with this proposition: how do I prove that the car was returned undamaged if no one is there to inspect the car? I've read suggestions to take pictures of the car upon return; however, I am still wary of doing returning a car without an agent inspecting the car. I envision some surprise charge on my credit card weeks after our return home.

Has anyone done this? Am I being overly concerned?

Thanks in advance,
Chels

I don't know if you've being overly concerned or not, because it will depend entirely on the people at the outfit where you drop off the car.

I've done it MANY times, though, all over Europe, and never had a problem.

Probably 80% of my European rentals have been dropped off after hours - never had a problem of any kind.

That won't guarantee you won't have an issue of some sort - but it is totally normal operating procedure since many locations have limited hours.

Chels,

I've done that several times in Europe, once in Spain, all without a problem.

But, I always carry a digital camera with me, and carefully photograph every inch of the car, including any damage and a general shot of the car with the background of car rental location at departure and return.

I've never had to use the photos, but they do provide peace of mind. (I don't erase them until several months after the rental in case I get an unexpected charge for damage.) When last we picked up a car at the airport in Palma, the car rental staff (Hertz) told us that they encourage tourists to take pictures as well as make notes of any damage on the form which accompanies the rental agreement.

That's excellent advice, especially when there won't be someone to inspect and sign off on the car when you return it. For that matter, rental-agency staff are often reluctant to look at cars on return and sometimes have to be prodded into doing so and signing the form to say the car was returned in good condition. That's one time when it pays to be insistent.

Hi ch,

When you get the car, use digital camera to photograph car inside and out.

At least one pic should show you or your spouse with the car.

Upon returning the car, repeat above.

Photograph your wife putting the keys in the drop box.

> I envision some surprise charge on my credit card weeks after our return home.<

It doesn't matter what you do, there is always a chance of a hassle from the rental company.

That's why we use Autoeurope, Kemwel or Gemut when we rent.

Thank you for the replies. I feel better knowing that this is not an uncommon practice, and if we go with the after-hours return, I will certainly put the digital camera to good use.

Thanks again,
Chels

Have a look here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...01&sc=1000