Drive mate Wear and Tear Policy

Every Vehicle will experience normal wear and tear with regular use, and Vehicles hired out frequently may show signs of accelerated wear. Drive mate does not insure for normal wear and tear; however, additional rental income can offset maintenance costs. The following guidelines clarify what is considered acceptable wear and tear, helping owners understand what to expect and what is not covered.

General Maintenance

All Vehicles must undergo routine maintenance to ensure roadworthiness and meet the condition stated in their listing. Owners are responsible for the cosmetic and mechanical upkeep of their Vehicles. Street parking exposes Vehicles to added environmental risks, accelerating wear over time.

Mechanical and Electrical

Drive mate does not insure against normal wear and tear for mechanical and electrical components, as these parts naturally degrade over time due to regular use, especially in Vehicles frequently rented out. Parts such as the drivetrain, clutch, brakes, suspension, cooling systems, and electrical components—including hybrid and electric Vehicle batteries—experience wear through routine operation. Vehicle owners are expected to maintain these systems according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Mechanical and electrical systems require periodic servicing and proactive care to prevent accelerated deterioration and ensure the safety and functionality of the Vehicle. Battery degradation in hybrid and electric Vehicles, clutch wear in manual transmission Vehicles, and reduced efficiency of brakes and suspension are expected over time and are therefore not covered under Drive mate’s wear and tear policy.

Below is a table outlining what is considered wear and tear across various other Vehicle components. This list is not exhaustive but provides general guidance on wear and tear expectations.

Wear and Tear Schedule

Category	Component	Description	Permissible Wear and Tear
Paint and Body	Minor Dent (Exterior)	Small dents or depressions that result from regular use and minor incidents but do not impact Vehicle functionality. Street-parked cars may experience accelerated wear due to exposure to the elements and minor impacts from everyday parking.	Dents up to 50 mm in diameter on a single panel.
	Minor Scratch (Exterior)	Scratches resulting from normal exposure to road debris, weather conditions, and minor incidental contact. Street-parked cars may show quicker wear due to ongoing exposure to the environment.	Scratches up to 75 mm in length on exterior surfaces are permissible.
Tyres and Rims	Tread Wear	Normal tread wear that occurs with routine driving. Tyres gradually wear down over time due to road contact, and tread depth should be monitored as part of routine maintenance.	Tread depth down to 2 mm is considered within normal limits.
	Rims	Minor scrapes or abrasions on alloy rims from parking and road use. Abrasions commonly occur around the rim edge from minor contact with curbs or debris.	Abrasions up to 75 mm in length along the arc or face of the alloy are permissible
Windscreen & Windows	Chips	Small chips on the windscreen or windows from road debris, which are a common occurrence. As long as these chips do not obstruct the driver’s field of vision, they are acceptable.	1-2 minor chips outside the primary field of vision are permissible.
	Cracks	Cracks that develop from unattended chips, which can spread over time due to environmental conditions or additional road impact.	Minor cracks that have originated from chips and extended over time.
	Weather Stripping	Aging and natural wear of rubber weather stripping around windows and the windscreen due to exposure to sun, moisture, and other environmental factors.	Dry, cracked, or loose weather stripping from normal aging.
	Tint	Minor peeling, scratches, or nicks in window tint caused by aging or exposure to UV rays, which may cause the tint to degrade over time	Minor peeling or nicks in window tint are permissible.
Interior and Exterior Trim, Carpet, Upholstery, and Controls	Interior Trim	Scratches, fading, and minor wear to interior elements, including controls, hinges, compartments, panels, handles, and locks. Regular use results in gradual wear on these parts.	Minor fading, scratches, and wear on interior components from daily use are permissible
	Carpet and Upholstery	Normal wear on seat fabric, carpets, and upholstery due to passenger use. This includes minor tears, soiling, or fading from routine use.	Weathered, soiled, or worn upholstery, including tears up to 25 mm in length, is permissible.
	Removable Items	Items not permanently affixed, like floor mats and seat covers, that experience wear from regular use but are not part of the Vehicle’s core structure.	Wear on removable items is not covered under wear and tear policy.
	Auto Accessories	Minor fading or scratches on accessories such as dashboard covers, phone mounts, and other attached equipment due to regular use.	Expected wear on both permanently and non-permanently attached accessories.
	Trunk/Cargo Areas	Areas in the trunk or cargo space that show signs of wear from regular loading and unloading. Scuffs, scratches, and minor wear are expected in these areas as they are designed to hold items during transport.	Weathered, scratched, or scuffed trunk and cargo areas are permissible.
	Splash Shields and Undercarriage Covers	Non-structural and non-mechanical undercarriage elements that may experience gradual wear from road debris and regular driving conditions.	Gradual wear on splash shields and undercarriage covers from road conditions.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles	Electric Drive Battery	The battery’s capacity reduces over time due to repeated charging cycles and normal use. Occasional complete discharges and environmental factors can contribute to wear.	Expected deterioration in battery capacity over time.
	Hybrid Drive Unit	Wear on the hybrid drive unit, which includes the electric motor and drive distribution system. Regular use gradually reduces efficiency of these components.	Routine wear on hybrid drive unit components.
	Charging Port	Wear on the charging port and related components, which supply electric energy for the Vehicle. Repeated use and exposure to the elements contribute to gradual wear.	Normal wear on the charging port and infrastructure.
Utes/Trucks & Convertibles	Truck Bed	Minor dents, scratches, and scuffs in the truck bed from regular use of loading and unloading items. Abrasions are acceptable if they do not affect functionality.	Expected wear on truck bed surfaces from cargo handling.
	Convertible Top	Weathering, minor fading, and mechanical wear from raising and lowering the top. Exposure to the elements may also cause wear in fabric and mechanisms over time.	Wear on convertible top upholstery and mechanisms from regular use