Damage, excess, deposits & fines

At handover our team walks around the vehicle with you and records its condition in a digital condition report: date- and time-stamped photographs of every panel, wheels, glass and interior, the odometer reading and the fuel or charge level. You and our team member sign the report electronically and you receive a copy by e-mail.

The same inspection is done at return, in your presence wherever possible. If you return the vehicle outside of a scheduled handover (for example a key drop we agreed to), we inspect it as soon as reasonably possible — normally within 24 hours — and send you the photographs. Minor wear and tear consistent with normal use (such as light stone chips under 5 mm away from the driver's line of sight, or light swirl marks) is not charged.

1. We notify you of any new damage within 3 business days after return, with photographs comparing the handover and return reports.
2. We obtain a repair quote from an independent approved repairer or assessor (or, for minor damage, apply our published standard repair rates). You may ask for a copy of the quote and, within 5 business days, submit a competing quote from a reputable repairer.
3. We charge the reasonable repair cost, plus reasonable towing, assessment and — where the vehicle cannot be rented while repaired — loss-of-use charges, as disclosed in your quote.
4. While your damage waiver applies, the total you pay per incident is capped at the excess for your protection plan.
5. We send an itemised invoice with supporting documents before or when we deduct the amount from your deposit or charge your card.

A refundable security deposit is held as a pre-authorisation on the main driver's credit card at handover. The amount depends on the vehicle category and your protection plan (higher cover means a lower deposit) and is shown in your quote and on our protection plans page.

• If there are no charges, we release the hold within 2 business days after the vehicle is checked in.
• If charges are being assessed, we may keep the hold for up to 14 days, or capture the estimated amount and refund any difference once the final cost is known.
• Your bank controls how quickly a released hold reflects — usually 7–14 business days. We can send you a release confirmation to give your bank.
• Traffic fines often arrive weeks after the rental; these are charged separately and are not a reason to keep your deposit.

You are responsible for traffic, speeding and parking fines and toll fees during your rental. Notices are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. When we receive one, we:

1. match it to the rental using the date, time and our tracking data;
2. nominate you as the driver, or ask the issuing authority to redirect the notice to you, under the AARTO Act or the Criminal Procedure Act as applicable — the authority then deals with you directly and you may pay or contest the fine with it;
3. e-mail you a copy of the notice and the nomination; and
4. charge the administration fee of R250 per notice.

If a notice cannot be redirected, or the owner must pay to avoid enforcement measures, we pay it and recover the fine amount plus the administration fee from you, with a copy of the notice and proof of payment.

If you disagree with a damage or other charge, e-mail bookings@mylzrentals.co.za within 14 days of receiving the invoice, with your reasons and any photographs or quotes. A manager not involved in the original assessment will review it and respond within 10 business days. We will not hand an amount you dispute in good faith to a debt collector while the review is open.

If we cannot agree, you may escalate as set out in our Complaints & Dispute Resolution page, including to the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa. Disputing a charge with us first does not affect your right to dispute a card transaction with your bank.