Why the Guardia Civil says to take photos of your car: Leaving your car with a garage?

Drivers in Spain have been given a simple piece of advice by the Guardia Civil that could prove very useful if something goes wrong after leaving a car at a garage. A new post from the Guardia Civil on X calls on driver to spend a few seconds photographing their vehicle before handing it over to a workshop.

Its advice is straightforward: photograph the exterior, record the mileage and fuel level, remove personal belongings and valuables, and hand over only the keys that are actually needed. For anyone who has ever left a car at a garage and thought little more about it until collection time, the advice is worth taking seriously.

Why the Guardia Civil wants you to photograph your car

A few quick pictures can create a record of exactly how the vehicle looked when it was left at the workshop. Photographs can show existing scratches, dents or other damage, while a picture of the dashboard can record the mileage and fuel level.

That evidence could become useful if a dispute later arises about damage to the car, how far it has been driven or how much fuel was in the tank when it was handed over.

Personal possessions are another concern. The Guardia Civil advises drivers to remove valuables before leaving a vehicle at a garage rather than assuming everything inside will remain untouched.

Mechanic crashed customer’s car after taking it without permission

A 2024 case in Carmona, Seville Province, shows why the advice about keys and documenting a vehicle is more than just a theoretical precaution.

A customer had left his car with a mechanic for repairs when Guardia Civil officers later found the vehicle badly damaged after an accident on a local road. The mechanic reportedly claimed that the car had been stolen from the workshop.

Investigators found no signs that the doors or starting system had been forced. A forensic examination established that the vehicle had been driven using its original key. Damage was assessed at around €21,000. Investigators concluded that the mechanic had been using the customer’s vehicle without his knowledge or permission. The mechanic was arrested on suspicion of misappropriation of the vehicle.

Another customer car was used for traffic offences

A separate case in Los Barrios, Cadiz Province, also involved a vehicle that had been left with a mechanic for repairs. According to a 2009 Guardia Civil investigation, the owner began receiving traffic fines for speeding and parking offences while the car was supposedly at the workshop.

When the owner went to the garage to ask what had happened, it was closed. A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a mechanic on suspicion of misappropriation, with the vehicle recovered.

Neither case suggests that drivers should distrust every garage. Most workshops carry out legitimate repairs every day. However, both incidents show why keeping a record of a vehicle before handing over the keys can be pretty sensible.

Spanish garages must provide paperwork

Drivers have legal protection when leaving a vehicle at a Spanish repair workshop. Under Spanish regulations, a garage must provide a “resguardo de deposito” when a vehicle is left there for an estimate or repair. The document must include details such as the vehicle’s make, model, registration number and mileage, as well as information about the work being requested.

Andalucia has its own consumer rules covering vehicle repair workshops, which also require this deposit document. Regional guidance advises customers to keep their copy.

That means motorists have more than photographs to fall back on. A garage’s paperwork, combined with photographs taken before the repair, can provide a useful record of the vehicle’s condition and mileage.

🔧🚗 Dejas el coche en un taller. ¿Has pensado en fotografiarlo antes?

Unos segundos son suficientes:

📸 Estado exterior del vehículo.
⛽ Kilometraje y combustible.
🎒 Retira objetos personales y de valor.
🔑 Entrega únicamente las llaves necesarias.#Prevención pic.twitter.com/ud0SwPv9gs

— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) September 7, 2026

What to do before leaving your car at a garage

• Before handing over your keys, take photographs of all four sides of the vehicle and any existing marks or damage.
• Take a clear picture of the dashboard showing the mileage and fuel gauge, remove valuables and personal documents, and check that you receive the appropriate paperwork from the garage.
• Drivers should also keep copies of the estimate, deposit receipt and final invoice.

A few seconds spent taking photographs may feel unnecessary when dropping off a car for an ordinary service. If a problem later appears, however, those pictures could be worth considerably more than the time it took to take them.

The Guardia Civil’s message is simple: document your car before handing over the keys.