The Complete Guide to Car Hire, Part five: Returning Your Car Hire

In our ongoing series about The Auto Europe Car Rental Roadmap, your go-to online guide for everything car rental-related, we previously covered the process of picking up a rental vehicle in part 4. This week, we’ll focus on the crucial steps for returning your rental car.

We've detailed what you can anticipate when returning your rental car. The process is quite simple, but there are a few key points to consider both prior to the return and, most crucially, during the drop-off itself.

Before dropping off

• Plan your route and make sure you are dropping off on time
• Fill up the tank at the nearest petrol station to your drop-off location
• Ensure that the vehicle is clean
• Take photos
• Pack up your belongings

Drop-off process

Make sure to arrive on time when dropping off your car, as there will be a fee if you exceed the scheduled drop-off time. As mentioned it's wise to factor in some additional time for navigation and potential traffic delays!

Check over with a rep from the supplier

• Vehicle Check In: Returning the keys is just one step in the vehicle drop-off procedure. A representative from the local rental agency will need to examine the car for any potential damage that may have occurred during your rental, including dents, scratches, chips on the windshield, and scuffs on the wheels. After the vehicle has undergone a thorough inspection, you will receive the required documentation to finalize your rental, commonly known as the ‘check-in form’. Once the supplier verifies that everything is in good condition, they will release or refund your security deposit. However, the duration for this process may differ based on your credit card provider.


• Charges: It's important to note that the rental company may charge your card without giving you any advance notice. Typical reasons for these charges after your rental period can include refueling—if the car is returned with less fuel than your agreement specifies—delayed returns, or any damage discovered on the vehicle.

Drop off without a rep – key drop box option

If you've arranged for an after-hours drop-off, make sure to locate the designated box for your car keys, which will display the company's name and logo. Should you have trouble finding the right box, take a moment to check the office door for any drop-off instructions or look for a contact number to call for assistance.

Explore every section of our Complete Guide to Car Hire -

• Complete Car Hire Guide - Part 1: Choosing The Best Car
• Complete Car Hire Guide - Part 2: What car hire prices are made of
• Complete Car Hire Guide - Part 3: Auto Europe Voucher explained
• Complete Car Hire Guide - Part 6: Car hire coverage explained