Wear and tear policy

At Rentalo we recognize that every vehicle wears naturally with regular use. This policy sets out the difference between normal, acceptable wear and tear and damage caused by misuse, negligence or improper driving, which the platform does not cover.

What counts as “normal wear and tear”?

Normal wear and tear includes any deterioration that happens gradually through regular, proper use of the vehicle. This covers both cosmetic and mechanical items, including:

Cosmetic and interior

• Light marks from continuous use (steering wheel, gear lever, seat belts, pedals).
• Natural fading of upholstery or panels from sun or use.
• Wear on floor mats and pedal rubbers.

Mechanical

• Gradual wear of brakes or tires within what is expected for the mileage.
• Minor air conditioning faults from continuous use.
• Mechanical noises related to age (not caused by abuse).
• A battery that has reached the end of its life.
• Failures due to material fatigue or parts that have reached the end of their service life.

The driver is not responsible for these cases and is not expected to pay for or answer for them.

Poor maintenance — the owner's responsibility

The owner is responsible for keeping the vehicle in optimal condition for use. Any mechanical damage or malfunction related to neglected or poor maintenance is the owner's responsibility, for example:

• Oil, coolant or fluid leaks due to lack of regular checks.
• Engine, transmission or brake failures due to skipped preventive maintenance.
• Air conditioning that doesn't cool due to lack of recharge, servicing or cleaning.
• Electrical or electronic problems due to lack of servicing.
• Bald or expired tires at the start of the rental.

In these cases, the driver will not be held responsible or charged, as long as they used the vehicle properly and reported the problem in time.

What is NOT wear and tear and is the driver's responsibility?

The driver is fully responsible when damage results from negligence, improper use or a breach of Rentalo's policies. Examples:

• Aggressive driving that wears out the clutch prematurely.
• Suspension damaged by hitting curbs or taking speed bumps too fast.
• Cuts, stains or burns on the seats or interior.
• Using the vehicle for unauthorized or prohibited purposes.

In these cases, Rentalo may apply automatic charges, deductions from the deposit or penalties, as appropriate.

Damage assessment

In any dispute, Rentalo may:

• Ask for evidence (photos, videos, records).
• Require a technical diagnosis from an authorized repair shop.
• Issue a final, binding decision under this policy and the Terms of Service.