Greetings! First time renting abroad. What's the most important thing to check when picking up the rental car in Dubai? Don't want problems when returning it.

Greetings! The absolute most important thing is doing a thorough inspection with the rental agent before driving off. Check every side of the car for scratches, dents, any existing damage - and make sure the agent documents everything in the contract. Take your own photos as backup evidence. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage when you return the car. Also test all the basics: lights, wipers, brakes, air conditioning (crucial in Dubai's heat!). If anything isn't working properly, insist on getting it fixed or ask for a different car right then. There's practical advice about this whole pickup process here: https://autobahn.eu/artikel/664218/complete-gids-voor-het-huren-van-een-auto-in-dubai-in-2025 that covers what to look for and how to protect yourself from disputes.

This post was edited by Konstantin Ivanov at January 21, 2026 10:05 AM PST