Quick Summary:
- Photograph the boot, cabin and accessories tray before leaving the lot.
- Confirm floor mats, parcel shelf, charger cables and safety kit are present.
- Ask staff to note any missing items on the rental agreement.
- Keep a timestamped checklist and return photos to dispute later charges.
Extra charges after a California car hire often come down to one awkward sentence, “Item missing on return.” Floor mats, parcel shelves, EV charging cables, USB leads and the small bits of kit that live in the glovebox are easy to overlook when you are tired, in a hurry, or distracted by the handover process. The good news is you can reduce the risk with a simple, repeatable walkaround that takes five to ten minutes, and creates proof if a dispute happens later.
This guide is focused on the accessories most commonly flagged as “missing,” and the best ways to confirm them at pick-up, get any discrepancies noted, and keep your records tidy. It applies whether you are collecting at a big airport facility or a smaller city desk. If you are comparing pick-up points, Hola Car Rentals has location pages for major hubs such as Los Angeles LAX, San Diego SAN, and San Jose SJC, which can help you plan the practicalities of your collection.
Before you reach the counter: set yourself up for a clean handover
Do two quick things before you even see the vehicle. First, make sure your phone can take clear photos. Clean the lens, turn on location and timestamp, and free up storage. Second, plan to take your time. A calm, methodical check prevents you missing items and also signals to staff that you are documenting everything.
When you are called to the desk, ask politely where accessories are usually stored for that vehicle class. Some companies keep EV cables in the boot, others in a bag behind the front seats, and some store things like parcel shelves separately. If you are picking up a larger vehicle, note that people carriers and vans sometimes have removable items that are easy to misplace. For example, if you are collecting a bigger vehicle around LAX, you may see equipment differences by fleet on pages like van rental at Los Angeles LAX.
The accessory walkaround checklist (use in this order)
Work from the outside in, then finish with paperwork. Doing it the same way every time helps you avoid “I forgot to look” moments.
1) Exterior and boot first, because that is where loose items hide
Open the boot and photograph it before touching anything. Take one wide photo that shows the whole cargo area, then closer photos of any accessories you find. If the boot is full of sand, leaves or packaging, photograph that too. It documents the condition and can explain why small items might be hard to spot.
Confirm the parcel shelf or cargo cover. This is a common “missing on return” item because it is removable, and people take it out to fit luggage. Check whether it is:
In place and attached correctly, or stored under the boot floor, or absent entirely. If it is present, take a photo showing it fitted, plus another photo showing any serial number or label if visible. If it is missing, get it noted before you leave.
Check for the spare wheel, tyre repair kit, jack and tools. Many modern cars have a tyre inflator and sealant instead of a spare. Lift the boot floor panel if there is one and photograph what is underneath. You are not judging whether the equipment is ideal, you are simply proving what was supplied.
Look for warning triangle and high-visibility vest if provided. Requirements vary, and some fleets include them while others do not. If you see them, photograph them. If you do not, ask whether they are meant to be included for that vehicle and have the answer written down.
2) Cabin and footwells: mats are small, expensive and often disputed
Count the floor mats and match them to seats. A typical set is four mats, front left, front right, rear left, rear right. Some cars have a single rear mat. Some have all-weather rubber mats. Check:
Front mats are clipped in, rear mats are present and not buried under seats, and the driver mat is not torn or unusually worn. Photograph each footwell from above so the mat shape is clear. If a mat is wet or dirty, photograph it as-is. That helps if you are later accused of returning it “damaged” when it was already in poor condition.
Check for boot liner or removable tray. Some vehicles have a plastic boot tray that is technically an accessory. If present, photograph it. If missing, ask staff whether the car is supposed to have one. Do not assume.
3) Centre console and infotainment: cables, adapters and USB leads
Search the places where small items migrate. Open and photograph the glovebox, centre armrest bin, door pockets and any under-seat storage. You are looking for USB leads, charging adapters, and occasionally auxiliary cables provided for in-car connectivity.
Confirm what is included versus what is yours. Some drivers leave their own cable behind, then later assume it was part of the rental. Conversely, some fleets include a lead for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then charge if it goes missing. If you find a cable, photograph it where it was found and note the connector type. If you do not find one, do not panic. Many rentals include no leads at all. The key is to have the “none provided” position documented.
4) EV and plug-in hybrid checks: charging cable, bags, and adapters
If your California car hire is an EV or plug-in hybrid, the charging kit is the biggest risk area for accessory charges. Cables are expensive, often stored loosely, and sometimes swapped between cars by mistake.
Identify what charging equipment should be present. At a minimum, confirm whether you should have:
A portable Level 1 cable (often called a “granny cable”), a Level 2 cable, any plug adapters, and a carry bag. Ask staff what the fleet standard is for that exact vehicle, not for “EVs in general.”
Physically locate, uncoil slightly, and photograph the cable ends. Without damaging anything, uncoil enough to show both connectors in one or two photos. Capture any labels on the bag or cable. If there is an adapter, photograph it next to the cable. If the cable is missing, stop and get it documented. Do not rely on verbal assurances like “it is fine,” because disputes are rarely settled on what was said at the bay.
Check charge level and charging port area. This is not an accessory, but it supports your records. Photograph the dash showing range or battery percentage. Photograph the charging port door closed and, if reasonable, open. It documents condition and any missing cap or tether.
5) Keys, fobs, and emergency hardware
Confirm how many keys you received. Many rentals provide one key only, but some provide a spare. Ask explicitly, “Is this a one-key rental?” If yes, ask for that to be noted. If two are supplied, photograph both together. Key replacement charges can be significant, and the easiest prevention is clarity at pick-up.
Look for toll tag transponder presence and label. You are not signing up for anything here, just documenting what is fitted. Photograph the windscreen area if there is a device. If there is a sleeve or removable unit, ask where it should be stored on return.
How to get discrepancies recorded properly
Finding something missing is only half the battle, the other half is ensuring the rental record reflects it. Here is what works best.
Ask for the note on the agreement, not on a separate scrap of paper. The most reliable place is the rental jacket, check-out sheet, or the digital condition report tied to your reservation. If staff prefer a digital system, ask them to show you the screen entry and then send you the updated report by email, or provide a printed version.
Use specific wording. Instead of “accessories missing,” ask for “rear floor mats missing,” “parcel shelf not present,” or “EV charging cable not provided.” Specific notes are harder to dispute later.
Take a final photo of the paperwork screen or document. If you are given a printed condition diagram, photograph it. If you sign on a tablet, ask to see the notes section and take a photo if permitted. Even a photo of the staff member holding the updated document can help, as long as it shows the itemised note.
Do not drive out until it is resolved. Once the car exits the facility, it becomes much harder to change the record. If you are collecting at a busy airport, build in extra minutes. At locations such as Payless at San Diego SAN or other high-turnover desks, queues can make people rush, but your checklist is still worth doing.
Return-day tips to prevent “missing item” claims
Accessory disputes sometimes happen because items move during the trip. A few habits reduce the risk.
Create a dedicated accessory spot. Keep EV cables, adapters, parcel shelf (if you remove it), and any provided kit together. The boot corner or under-floor compartment is often best. The key is consistency so you do not accidentally leave something at a hotel.
Re-photograph the accessories at return. Do a quick mirror of your pick-up shots. Boot open showing cable bag, parcel shelf present, and a footwell shot showing mats. If a staff member checks the car in, ask them to confirm accessories before you walk away.
Keep your pick-up and return photos in one album. Name it with the date and location, for example “SJC pick-up” and “SJC return.” If you used Hola Car Rentals to arrange your car hire, keeping the documentation tidy makes any follow-up simpler.
Common accessory list, at-a-glance
Use this as a mental checklist when you are at the vehicle. Not every item will apply to every car, the point is to confirm and document what is actually there.
In the cabin: floor mats (count them), spare key (if any), USB leads or adapters (if provided), owner manual pack (often minimal), any removable infotainment accessories.
In the boot: parcel shelf/cargo cover, tyre inflator or spare wheel kit, jack/tools (if applicable), warning triangle/vest (if supplied), boot liner tray (if applicable).
For EVs and PHEVs: charging cable(s), adapters, carry bag, charging port cap/tether condition, battery level photo.
FAQ
Do all California car hire vehicles come with floor mats? Most do, but the number and type vary by model and fleet. Count and photograph mats at pick-up, and get “mats not provided” noted if absent.
What should I do if the EV charging cable is missing at pick-up? Do not leave the facility until staff record it on your agreement or digital condition report. Photograph the empty boot area and the updated notes confirming no cable was provided.
Is a parcel shelf always included, and can I remove it during the trip? Many hatchbacks and SUVs have a removable shelf, but not every vehicle will have one fitted. If you remove it for luggage, store it safely and photograph it on return.
Will photos on my phone actually help if I get charged later? Yes, timestamped photos showing the car and accessories at pick-up and return can support a dispute. Include wide shots plus close-ups of the specific items in question.
How long should the full pick-up checklist take? Typically five to ten minutes. It is faster once you have a routine, and it can save time and money compared with arguing about missing accessories later.
