How to Scan Your Car After Parking

Post-parking scans are just as important as pre-parking scans. When you return to your car, a quick scan confirms whether new damage appeared while the car was unattended....

Post-parking scans are just as important as pre-parking scans. When you return to your car, a quick scan confirms whether new damage appeared while the car was unattended.

The first 60 seconds after returning are critical. Walk around your car before you get in. Look for any new marks, especially in tight parking spots. If you see something, take photos before moving the car—once you drive away, the valet company can claim the damage happened elsewhere.

CarShake's post-park scan compares the current state to your pre-park scan automatically. If it detects a change, the app flags the difference and creates a timestamped report. This comparison is the strongest evidence you can have.

For rental returns, scan the car in the rental company's parking lot before you walk to the counter. This creates a tamper-proof record of the car's condition at return. If the rental agent later claims damage, you have proof it didn't happen during your rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't scan immediately after returning?

Scan as soon as you can. CarShake records the scan time, so even if it's a few minutes after retrieving your car, the timestamp shows when the scan was made. Earlier is better, but any scan is better than none.

Does CarShake compare scans automatically?

Yes. When you have both a pre-park and post-park scan, CarShake overlays them and highlights any differences. This side-by-side comparison is what you need for disputes.

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