AN expert mechanic has revealed how to avoid losing money when you rent a car.
Scotty Kilmer took to YouTube to share the handy advice with drivers and help them avoid being ripped off.
YouTube/Scotty KilmerScotty Kilmer has revealed how to avoid losing money when renting a car[/caption]
YouTube/Scotty KilmerHe advised taking a video of the car before you leave with it so you can’t be charged for pre-existing damage later on[/caption]
Scotty, who has over 55 years of experience in the motor industry, urged customers to record or photograph any damage on the car before leaving with it to prevent hefty charges later on.
He said: “When I rent a car I walk around the car with my phone and take a video.
“If you see anything odd, especially a dent or a ding, take a picture of it, have a date stamp on your phone and then you can say ‘hey the ding was there before’.
“You can’t trust anyone these days.”
Scotty recalled when he rented a car in Nashville, Tennessee, and claimed that the rental company tried to charge him for a new windshield when he returned it after a crack was found.
Luckily, according to Scotty, he had filmed the car when he picked it up, with the crack easily visible in the clip.
This helped him avoid a costly charge, which can rise into the thousands depending on the model of your car.
Repair specialists Autoglass currently quote £225 for a basic chip repair on their website but a full replacement can be much more.
Scotty even suggested popping the bonnet open and taking a few shots of the engine bay just in case you run into any mechanical issues later on.
Social media commenters expressed their gratitude for the helpful tip.
One wrote: “Thanks Scotty for always keeping us informed.”
Another added: “Good advice Scotty with rentals, I always walk around taking pics before driving it away that way they cannot sting you for something that was already there when you hand it back.”
It comes after a different motors expert explained why EVs can actually be more dangerous than traditional cars if they catch fire.
Meanwhile, residents of a small town were left furious after organisers of a classic car show painted white lines on their “sacred” green.