Learning to spot pre-existing damage is a crucial skill for anyone who valets parks, rents cars, or shares vehicles. Damage is often deliberately hidden in low-light areas or masked with quick fixes.
Check wheel rims and tires first—curb rash is the most common sign of driver-caused damage. Scratches along the side panels at bumper height suggest parking lot encounters. Look for paint overspray, which indicates recent bodywork that may not be reported.
In low light, use your phone's flashlight at an angle across body panels. This technique—called 'raking light'—reveals subtle dents and waves that are invisible in bright overhead light. Check door edges, which are frequently dinged in tight parking spaces.
Don't forget the interior: check seat adjustments (do they match the rental agreement?), floor mat wear, and any dashboard cracks. Photograph everything, especially anything the rental agent didn't mark on the agreement. CarShake's scan captures all this in under 2 minutes.