AI damage scanners are starting to show up at more and more rental car counters, and it’s not just a Hertz thing anymore.
Some say it’s a win for fairness and speed. Others say it’s just one more reason to obsessively photograph your car before drop-off.
Either way, the scanners are spreading.
And chances are, your next rental might be scanned whether you know it or not.
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AI damage scanners are quietly going mainstream
Hertz got things rolling with its AI inspection system built by UVeye. Now, other big names are following suit.
Sixt has launched its own version called Car Gate – a system that scans your rental when you drive off and again when you bring it back.
The company says it’s not all left to the machines. Staff still check flagged images before billing anyone. But that hasn’t stopped a few hiccups.
Two renters recently shared stories where Sixt initially billed them for damage they didn’t cause.
In both cases, it came down to a mix-up with photo timestamps – the damage in question was actually logged before they even left the lot.
Once they pointed that out, the charges were dropped.
Sixt apologized and said this kind of thing isn’t the norm. But it’s a good reminder that small errors can still lead to big bills.
And it’s not just Sixt.
One customer spotted a scanner in action at Avis LAX. Another saw something similar at Enterprise in Houston.
Avis didn’t confirm much – only that AI might be used to ‘support’ inspections.
Enterprise, for its part, says it doesn’t use scanners at all.
Still, signs are pointing in one direction. Quietly but steadily, this tech is going mainstream.
Helpful tool or potential headache?
On paper, AI damage scanners make a lot of sense – standardized inspections, faster turnaround, fewer he-said-she-said disputes.
For companies juggling thousands of rentals a day, that kind of efficiency is gold.
But even with the best intentions, rollout comes with growing pains.
What’s designed to bring clarity can still cause confusion – especially when renters aren’t even told they’re being scanned.
The upside? Most of the people who’ve run into issues say they were able to get them sorted. No robots running wild just yet – humans are still very much in the loop.
That said, if you’re renting soon, a little caution doesn’t hurt. Snap your own photos. Ask if a scanner’s involved. Keep your paperwork.
Because while AI might be the future of rental car inspections, that future is still learning on the job.
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The post More rental car companies are joining Hertz in adopting AI damage scanners appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
