How do you prove it was them? It might be several renters later before the issue is noticed.
If asked the the story is:
I didn’t do it
You can’t prove it
That’s my story
and I’m sticking to it.
I used to routinely buy late model “fleet” cars (could be from a rental or a corporate fleet). Cars were always good, and cheaper than a similar single owner used car.
If anything, I am more careful when driving a rental because I don’t get the waiver. I rely on my own insurance, which has a deductible.
It’s pretty easy. The return agents outside are unlikely to notice anything except major body damage. They walk around the car, everything looks normal, they accept the return.
Once they accepted the car and one of our guys had driven it, it’s awfully hard to prove where and when something like damage or swapping tires was done.