What happens to rental cars after being returned?

In the past, when you return your short-term rental car to the designated car rental company in Singapore, the relevant staff will get the car cleaned to ensure optimum hygiene and cleanliness for the next rental session.

However, considering how the global health pandemic is affecting every person and industry on earth, car rental companies are not spared. They are required to step up their cleaning protocols as well as minimise human contact when the car is picked up or returned.

That said, you may be wondering how car rental companies clean their car and prepare it for the next renter, especially in a time like this. Well, here are the processes involved in cleaning a rental car before and after it is being rented.

1. Disinfecting the car at the return area

Much like disinfecting your hands before and after using a trolley at the supermarket, rental cars are disinfected upon their return to the company. This is to minimise the transmission of infectious diseases before it undergoes a thorough cleaning. At the same time, this prevents the staff from contracting the disease and passing it on to others.

This process usually involves disinfecting high-touch areas such as the steering wheel, dashboard, consoles, side buttons, cup holders, touch screens, radio controls, air-conditioning vents, door handles, seat belts and buckles, armrests, key fobs, etc.

2. Inspecting the car’s condition

Once the car has been disinfected, the relevant staff will inspect the car’s condition to ensure that there are no damages to it, both the interior and exterior. This is a crucial step because should there be any damage to the car, either the customer or the company has to take the responsibility to repair the damages.

This includes checking the car’s driving performance, tire condition, air-conditioning system, engine condition, etc. to ensure that it is suitable for use by the next renter. On top of that, this prevents unwanted mishaps from happening.

3. Cleaning and sanitising the car

After all the necessary inspections, the rental car will undergo a thorough cleaning that is similar to a car interior detailing. The carpets will be removed and the interiors be vacuumed to remove any traces of dust and dirt, including on the seats and trunk. The surfaces are wiped down once again using the right cleaning solution and tools.

Using a recommended disinfectant to wipe key areas in the car, helps to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and provides assurance that the company’s top priority is the safety of its employees and customers.

4. Washing the exterior

Cleaning a rental car is not over until the exterior is washed. Much like how you would clean your car every weekend or fortnight, cleaning the exterior is as important as improving the general visibility of the car rental company. That’s because certain car rental companies apply their branding on the car.

Imagine seeing a rental car with the company’s brand on it, but the car isn’t as clean as you would think it to be. It would be an embarrassment to the company as it may lead customers into thinking that the company doesn’t care about rental cars.

5. Performing quality check

Every rental car that is cleaned and sanitised will undergo a quality check to ensure that it is free of infectious diseases and safe for future renters. On top of that, this provides customers with the confidence that the rental car has been cleaned and sanitised.

Some car rental companies even introduced the safety seal to certify their vehicles’ cleanliness and provide peace of mind to renters.

6. Contactless pick-up/return

Once the quality check is done, the rental car is ready for its next renter. To minimise contact between their employees and customers, car rental companies are making use of cutting-edge technology to handle the booking, handing the car keys over, and performing the car rental inspection.

Rather than assigning a car rental agent to handle your booking, you may get notifications from the company on the rental and pick-up/return process of your car via your preferred communication tool. That way, you can safely pick up and return your rental car without any worry.

After all, car rental companies are adapting to the situation as more people are considering short-term car rentals in Singapore during this pandemic. Given the high demand during the upcoming holidays, car renters are encouraged to act responsibly and take all the necessary measures to ensure their safety.

At Edmund Vehicle Rental, our short-term car rental services are cleaned regularly to reduce your travel worries during this pandemic. If you’re keen on renting a car from us, simply contact us at (65) 6250 3339 or email enquiries@edmundvehiclerental.com.sg.