Maintenance requirements

What maintenance requirements does my car have to meet?

Your vehicle must follow all laws and regulations for safety, condition, and operation. Regulations vary by location, and we expect you to remain compliant with local mandates. These include any winter safety requirements. Failure to do so will result in a $100* violation fee. We’ll charge an additional $200* administrative fee if we must dispatch roadside service. Learn more about applicable host fees. You should get a vehicle mechanical and safety inspection at least once a year. An inspection will include a check of your car’s most critical safety items, including brakes, steering parts, tires, and lights. See a complete list of maintenance requirements below. To further help maintain your vehicle’s high standards, we suggest reading about vehicle misrepresentation and material misrepresentation. We may remove from our platform any vehicle that hasn’t been properly maintained.  

Maintenance requirements for listing 

Below is a list of Turo’s vehicle listing requirements. In addition, UK hosts must confirm that annual servicing to the vehicle has been carried out and that an MOT test has been performed where required (e.g. vehicles more than three years old). 

  • Visual overview and legal registration
    • Certificate of registration
    • License plate(s) decal 
    • Valid insurance 
  • Brake tests
    • Parking brake
    • Service brake, 3mm or more (25% of the life of the brakes or more, typically)
  • Exhaust system
    • Undamaged exhaust system components/muffler
    • No visible blue or black smoke
  • Steering and suspension
    • Steering wheel and box
    • Suspension/front end
    • Springs
    • Shocks
    • Vehicle height
  • Horn
    • Sound horn to test for adequate signal
    • The horn must be securely fastened to the vehicle
  • Glazing, glass, and windshield wipers
    • Windshield, no cracks; no chips in the line of sight
    • Windshield wipers and washer in working order
    • Windows, no cracks
    • Tint to legal specifications
  • Engine and powertrain
    • Engine, including all subcomponents
      • Cooling system
      • Lubrication system
      • Electrical and electronic management systems
    • Transmission, including clutch, torque converter, and similar components
    • All fluids and lubricants
    • No check engine light, warning lights, or recalls 
  • Visibility and lighting devices
    • Headlight aim
    • Headlights and rear lights working, no bulbs burned out
    • Hazard lights, directionals/stop/reverse lights, and license plate light(s)
    • Reflectors
    • Rear view mirror
    • Mirrors (general)
  • Tires and wheels
    • 4/32” or greater tread depth (50% or higher of tread, typically)
    • Six years old or newer
    • No cuts, gouges, bulges or bubbles in the sidewall
  • Seat belts and airbags
    • No airbag warning lights or recalls
    • No safety restraint system (SRS) or occupant classification system (OCS) warning lights or recalls 
  • Body, including all seals and panels
    • No hanging body panels
    • No damage to the floor pan, cowl panel, or structural pillars 

 My car’s been restricted for a safety concern. What do I do?  

If we learn of a quality, safety, or maintenance issue with your vehicle, we may temporarily restrict your listing and ask you to get a mechanic’s report using the Turo Vehicle Inspection Form (attached below). If your vehicle has been restricted by Turo, follow these steps to get your car back on the road.

  1. Schedule an inspection with an ASE-certified mechanic.
  2. Download the inspection form at the bottom of this page and ask the mechanic to complete it. 
  3. Once you pass the inspection, attach the form to the Turo email you received about the safety concern.
    • Be sure to include the shop’s contact information so we can speak with the inspector if we have questions.
    • If you can’t find the email, submit a new one at support.turo.com. Select “Car issue,” then “Restricted vehicle.”
  4. Look for an email from us. We’ll review the documentation and contact you about next steps. 

Can I make any repairs myself?

Hosts in the US and Canada may make certain repairs themselves. After completing a self repair, you must submit a photo of the new part and a photo or video of the repair functioning after the date the issue was discovered. Once you do, we’ll send you an email, review the documentation, and contact you about next steps. Eligible hosts may repair or replace the following if they are capable of doing so: 

  • burned out lights or cracked highlights
  • dashboard lights
  • non-working windows
  • damaged or missing mirrors
  • damaged, cracked, or chipped glass
  • damaged or worn hoses, belts, and tires
  • car batteries and key fob batteries
  • internal components such as armrests, glove box, and interior door panels 


* Amounts are in CAD for Canada and £ (pounds) for the United Kingdom. They’re in US$ for in the United States and all other countries where Turo is available.

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