# Prepare your vehicle and environment

## Before the scan: prepare your vehicle and your environment

A good scan starts *before* you take a single photo.

There’s **no upside** in the system missing damage that your leasing company will later charge for.\
But there ***is*** upside in Wondle informing you likelihood of being charged and to have  a clear record in case of dispute of severity of damage — so preparation is worth it.

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### Quick checklist (30 seconds)

* [ ] I have enough **space around the vehicle**
* [ ] The vehicle is **clean**
* [ ] The vehicle is **dry** (or I’ve wiped it down)
* [ ] Known damaged areas are **clean and easy to see**
* [ ] The lighting is **good and even**

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### 1) Choose the right place (space matters)

You need room to move around the vehicle and capture every panel without obstruction.

**Aim for:**

* Clear space on **all sides** so you can walk a full lap of the vehicle
* Enough room to step back at the **front, rear and sides**
* A location where you won’t need to move the vehicle mid-scan

**Avoid:**

* Tight driveways or walls close to the vehicle
* Cars parked very close on both sides
* Busy areas where you’ll be interrupted

{% hint style="info" %}
If space is tight at home, a quiet car park is often better than forcing it in a cramped spot.
{% endhint %}

***

### 2) Clean the vehicle (and dry it if it’s wet)

Dirt and moisture reduce visibility and can affect results.

**Do this first:**

* Make sure the vehicle is **clean**
* If the vehicle is wet, **wipe it down** with a cloth (especially flat panels)

{% hint style="warning" %}
If it’s raining heavily, wait until the vehicle is dry if you can. If you can’t, scan in a well-lit covered area and wipe panels thoroughly.
{% endhint %}

***

### 3) Make known damage easy to see

Known damage should be recorded clearly — otherwise it may be missed or misread.

Before you start:

* Wipe the damaged area so it’s **dry**
* Remove **road film, mud, salt, and dust** from the panel
* Make sure the damage isn’t obscured by grime around the edges

***

### 4) Get the lighting right

Good lighting helps Wondle “see” the panels properly.

**Best option:** natural daylight\
**If indoors:** choose bright, even lighting and avoid deep shadows across one side of the vehicle.

{% hint style="info" %}
Avoid scanning in very low light. If you can’t see the panel clearly with your own eyes, the camera will struggle too.
{% endhint %}

***

### Why this matters

A physical inspection by your leasing company is typically what decides final charges.\
Preparing properly gives Wondle the best chance to:

* Detect what’s there so you get a full understanding of the implications.
* Rule out damages WITHIN Fair Wear and Tear Guidelines. (These often start with a £0 cost on your report)
* Create a clear photographic record of condition. Poor, blurred or distant images are of little use in a dispute.

***