Long-term rental — terms and deposit

1. The deposit — what happens to it?

The deposit (in the contract: security deposit) is a security, not a rental fee. It does not earn interest, serves as security for the entire rental period, and is refunded after settlement at the end of the rental.

1. Signing the contractThe contract sets out the deposit amount applicable to the car. Whether it has to be paid at the start is stated in the offer and the contract.
2. During the rentalThe deposit is held as security. If a deduction is made from it (for example, the excess on a damage claim), it must be topped up to the full amount within 8 days of the request.
3. ReturnWe jointly record the condition of the car in the handover/return report (damage diagram, odometer reading, fuel level, keys, accessories). In the event of a dispute, a jointly appointed independent expert decides.
4. SettlementWe may only deduct the items listed in the contract — itemised, with an invoice (see section 3).
5. RefundWe transfer back the remaining amount within 30 days of the car’s return and the settlement of any open damage or fine cases.

Important: the deposit is not an upper limit. Damage, the excess, damage not covered by insurance, fines and excess mileage are paid by the renter even if the amount exceeds the deposit or if there is no deposit.

2. How much is the deposit?

Depending on the model, between 2 000 € and 10 000 €. The exact amount is shown on every model card, in the offer and in the contract.

3. What can we deduct from the deposit?

We accept normal wear and tear consistent with the mileage — we make no deductions for it.

4. Calculation example

5. Contract, handover, term

• The rental contract is concluded with you by Caradvance GmbH as the lessor.
• You can rent a car with residence or registered office in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany or another country. You sign the contract online — electronically, without visiting the office.
• Signing the contract also constitutes an order for the car: we then source, import, register and prepare the car. The rental does not start on signing, but on the day of handover.
• If we are unable to hand over the car within 30 days after the agreed deadline, you may withdraw free of charge, and we will refund any amounts already paid within 8 days.
• The minimum rental period is 6 full months from handover. The 6 monthly fees remain payable even if the car is returned early (except in the event of a breach of contract on our part or a total loss not attributable to you).
• After the 6 months, the contract continues indefinitely on the same terms; either party may terminate it at the end of a rental month with 30 days' written notice. You can also switch to another of our cars — in that case a new contract and a new minimum period begin.
• Termination with immediate effect is possible in the event of payment arrears exceeding 15 days, use in breach of the contract, refusal to present the car for servicing or provision of false information; in such cases the car must be returned within 3 days.
• The contract may also be signed by a spouse as co-lessee: in this case both are authorised drivers and are jointly and severally liable.

6. Rental fee and payment

• The monthly fee is fixed for the entire term.
• The first monthly fee is payable before handover; subsequent fees are payable in advance, by day 5 of the rental month.
• You can pay by bank transfer or in cash against a receipt; in euros or another agreed currency — in the case of another currency, at the reference exchange rate valid on the day of payment.
• The rental month starts on the day of handover (e.g. from day 12 of one month to day 11 of the following month); the final partial month is invoiced pro rata by the day.
• In the event of late payment, default interest equal to twice the central bank base rate is charged; for arrears exceeding 15 days, after a reminder we may immobilise or repossess the car.

7. Mileage allowance

• The fee includes a monthly mileage allowance (e.g. 2 000 km / month), which is cumulative over the entire rental term: at the end, the total distance driven is compared with the total allowance.
• The charge for kilometres in excess of the allowance is set out in the contract and settled on return. Unused kilometres are not refunded.
• The odometer reading is recorded at handover and at return; tampering with the odometer is a serious breach of contract.

8. What the monthly fee includes — and what it doesn't

Oil and coolant levels as well as tyre pressure must be checked at reasonable intervals; damage resulting from continued use despite a warning light is borne by the lessee.

9. Insurance and excess

• The car is covered by compulsory third-party liability insurance and comprehensive insurance (casco) — we take out and pay for both.
• Comprehensive insurance excess: according to individual agreement in the rental contract. No excess is payable if the liability of an identified third party is proven and its insurer covers the damage in full.
• Cover lapses and the lessee is liable for the full damage if the car is driven by an unauthorised person; under the influence of alcohol or drugs, without a valid driving licence, in a race or on a track day, or off public roads; or if the lessee leaves the scene of an accident or fails to report it.

10. Damage, accident, theft — what to do?

1. In the event of third-party involvement, personal injury, theft or vandalism, call the police and ask for a police report.
2. Fill in the European Accident Statement and take photos of the scene and the damage.
3. Inform us without delay, but no later than within 24 hours: +421 915 410 555 · info@caradvance.sk.
4. Do not admit liability on our behalf, and do not come to any agreement directly with a third party.

Repairs may only be carried out at a workshop designated by us. For each claim, the lessee pays the excess, the loss in value determined by the assessor and — if the lessee caused the damage — the rental fee for any downtime beyond the first 10 working days of the repair. For the first 10 working days we provide a replacement car of a similar category, if one is available in the fleet. Damage not covered by insurance must be paid within 8 days of receipt of the invoice. In the event of theft or total loss, the contract ends on the day of the insurer's confirmation; both keys and all documents must be returned.

11. Summer and winter tyres

• Both sets are included in the fee; the set not in use is stored free of charge.
• Winter tyres are fitted from 1 November to 31 March. Please arrange the changeover with us within the two weeks before that date; any damage or fines resulting from failure to do so are borne by the lessee.
• Tyres worn down to the legal minimum are replaced at our expense. Tyre and rim damage caused by kerbs, potholes, punctures or incorrect tyre pressure is reimbursed by the lessee at cost.

12. Fines and tolls

• All fines incurred during the rental period (speeding, parking, road use, vignette) are borne by the lessee — even if they arrive after the car has been returned.
• As the car is not registered in the renter's name, the notice comes to us; we provide the renter's details to the competent authority — in Slovakia and abroad.
• Handling of the first fine is free of charge; from the second fine onwards we charge, in addition to the fine itself, a handling fee of 30 € per case. The motorway vignette (in Slovakia and abroad) is purchased by the renter.

13. Use, drivers, travel abroad

• The car may be driven by the lessee, the co-lessee and any additional driver named in the annex to the contract who is at least 25 years old and has held a valid driving licence for at least 3 years.
• Subletting or lending the car for a fee, racing, track days, rallies, driving instruction, paid passenger or goods transport, overloading and driving off paved roads are prohibited.
• Smoking in the car is prohibited (300 € cleaning fee); animals may only travel in a pet carrier.
• Travel abroad: EU member states, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom — notify us in writing at least 3 working days in advance; we provide the green card. The car may not be taken to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey or outside Europe.
• The car bears a small CarAdvance emblem; wrapping, lettering, a tow bar or modifications are only permitted with our prior written consent.

14. Servicing, breakdowns, replacement car

• The car must be presented at the designated workshop within 14 days of the service indicator or our request (usually one working day).
• In the event of a breakdown, call the assistance number shown in the documents and notify us. If the car is off the road for more than 2 working days for reasons not attributable to you, we provide a replacement car or credit the fee pro rata for the lost days.
• Repairs may only be ordered with our consent.

15. Returning the car

• At the agreed location, during business hours, clean inside and out, with both keys, all documents and accessories, and with the same fuel level as at handover.
• The condition is recorded in a report; normal wear and tear is accepted.
• In the event of late return, the daily rental fee (one thirtieth of the monthly fee) plus an additional 50 € per day or part thereof is payable.
• This is followed by the final settlement and the refund of the deposit.

16. FAQ