It sounds paranoid until it happens to you. My 2025 Mercedes came back, and the ride felt rough. I looked at the tires—they were the right brand, but they were bald. I knew I just put fresh Michelins on 3,000 miles ago. The guest (or a shady shop they visited) had swapped my new tires for old, worn-out ones. Turo called it “Wear and Tear” until I showed them the DOT codes.
Key Takeaways
- It’s Theft, Not Wear: This is a common scam. Guests swap parts (tires, batteries, catalytic converters).
- DOT Codes are the Fingerprint: Every tire has a 4-digit date code. You must photograph this.
- Pre-Trip Photos are Vital: If you didn’t take a close-up of the tire sidewall before the trip, you can’t prove the swap.
- The “Receipt” Defense: Keeping your purchase receipt for the new tires is your strongest weapon.
The “Why”: The Parts Swapping Loophole
Thieves know that hosts check for dents, not part numbers. They swap the tires, the battery, or even the ECU.
Turo’s AI automatically rejects “bald tire” claims as maintenance issues. You have to reframe the claim as “Theft of Parts” (Conversion).
The Investigation: Proving the Swap
I helped a host fight this exact claim.
- The Denial: Host reported “worn tires.” Turo denied.
- The Evidence: We pulled the pre-trip photo. It was blurry, but we could see the tire had deep tread.
- The Smoking Gun: We found the receipt from Costco Tire Center dated 2 months prior.
- The DOT Match: The tires on the car had a DOT date code from 2021. The tires on the receipt were manufactured in 2025.
- Result: Turo reversed the decision and covered a full set of new tires + installation.
Comparison: Preventative Measures
| Method | Effort Level | Protection Level |
| Walkaround Video | Low | Low (Hard to see details) |
| Tread Depth Gauge Photo | Medium | Medium (Proves wear, not identity) |
| Sidewall/DOT Code Photo | High | High (Proves identity) |
| Tire Marker/Pen | Medium | High (Marking the inside sidewall) |
[IMAGE: Close up photo of a Tire DOT Date Code (e.g., “3525”) explaining how to read the Week/Year of manufacture]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Photograph DOT Codes: Add this to your pre-trip routine. One clear shot of the DOT number on each tire.
- Mark Your Parts: Take a yellow paint marker and put a small dot on the inside sidewall of the tire or the battery casing.
- Check Immediately: Do not wait 24 hours. Check the tires at drop-off.
- File as “Theft”: Do not select “Physical Damage.” Select “Theft/Vandalism.” State: “Guest stole my 2025 tires and replaced them with 2021 tires.”
FAQ
What if the guest says the tire blew out and they replaced it?
If they replaced it with a used tire without telling you, that is an unauthorized repair. You are entitled to a tire of “like kind and quality” (i.e., a new one).
Does this happen with other parts?
Yes. Catalytic converters and high-end batteries (Lithium) are common targets.
Will Turo pay for 4 tires if only 2 were swapped?
Usually no. They will pay to replace the stolen ones. However, on AWD cars, you can argue that mixing tread depths ruins the differential, requiring a full set.