Just like any business, carsharing requires your full attention and care. Many new hosts underestimate what it really takes to succeed, and often end up with no bookings at all. We don’t want that to be you.
Here’s the truth: small actions (or inactions) add up. They can make the difference between being fully booked or hearing nothing but radio silence on your listing.
Tarlen helps by bringing eyes to your vehicles and vetting potential renters. But it’s ultimately up to you to make your listing good enough to convert those views into bookings.
Before we get into the top mistakes, let’s first look at how Tarlen supports you in growing your carsharing business:
Table of content
Tarlen provides a platform to set up your listing
The Tarlen platform makes it easy to get started. You don’t need to spend time or money creating your own website, we’ve already built the foundation for you.
Tarlen does the marketing for you
Marketing is the lifeblood of any business. But instead of spending time and money chasing customers, Tarlen brings renters directly to your listing. This means you can focus on running your carsharing business, not advertising it.
Tarlen vets your renters
Safety has been at the heart of Tarlen since day one. Every renter goes through a multi-step verification process, ensuring they have a real, traceable identity and a valid driver’s license.
We even developed our VEIRRE safety framework, a signature system designed to give you peace of mind as a host.
Tarlen processes payment securely
Today’s renters expect fast, seamless, and secure payments. Thanks to our partnership with Peachpayments, renters can pay with ease using their credit or debit card. Funds are then remitted to you via EFT, so you get paid quickly without the hassle of setting up your own merchant account or wrestling with complex payment processor integrations.
Tarlen keeps improving for you
We’re committed to making the platform better, safer, and more valuable every day. That means constant upgrades, new features, and partnerships that give you, and your carsharing business an edge.
Now let’s dive into the top 7 mistakes we see Tarlen Host make everyday:
1. They upload rushed photos
This is one of the most common mistakes we see. Hosts upload dark, blurry photos taken in a garage, or their vehicle interior picture is full of clutter.
Poor photos immediately raise doubts. Renters see them and assume the car isn’t well-maintained, even if that’s not true.
The fix is simple: clean your vehicle, take photos in natural daylight, and make sure they’re clear and crisp. A few hours of effort here can make the difference between “no bookings” and “fully booked.”
Follow this guide to learn how to take better pictures of your vehicle.
2. They skip financial planning and price too high
Renters compare your listing against others, not just on Tarlen, but across all car rental platforms. They want a fair deal, and if your price feels too high, they’ll move on.
That’s why knowing your numbers is critical. You need to understand your cash flow, fixed costs, break-even point, and long-term ROI. With that knowledge, you can set a daily rate that feels like a good deal for renters and leaves you with a healthy profit margin.
We’ve even created a guide and tools to help you run the numbers for yourself.
3. They ignore depreciation and wear
Depreciation is one of the biggest hidden costs in any car business. If you don’t plan for it, it can quietly eat away at your profits.
One of the worst moves is buying a brand-new car for carsharing. Instead, look for vehicles that are 4 – 5 years old. By that point, they’ve already passed through the steepest depreciation curve.
Plan to sell after about four years. That way, you’re getting rental income during the sweet spot, while still being able to sell the car when it holds strong resale value. And then you replace them with newer 4 – 5 years old cars.
That’s how you win in the carsharing business.
(Our pricing guide goes deeper into how to factor this in.)
4. They don’t offer long-term discounts
Long-term discounts are one of carsharing’s best-kept secrets. They attract guests booking for weeks or even a full month.
These trips cut down your vehicle’s idle time, boost revenue, and save you the hassle of constant pickups and drop-offs between short 2–3 day rentals.
In other words, fewer handovers and more money in your pocket.
Skipping long-term discounts usually means shorter bookings, more idle days, and extra work for you.
5. They don’t offer delivery
Most of your guests are travelers, either from overseas or another city. And one thing they all value is convenience.
If a renter sees two identical vehicles at the same price, but one host offers delivery and the other doesn’t, guess who they’ll choose?
Offering delivery is one of the easiest ways to stand out and win more bookings. If you’re not doing it yet, it’s time to start. You won’t regret it.
6. They neglect customer experience
Travelers want to know you’ll go the extra mile. That could mean offering delivery, replying quickly to inquiries, or simply keeping your car spotless.
A clean, well-maintained vehicle builds confidence and will earn you a 5 star rating. Those reviews drive more bookings, and more importantly, repeat business. In fact, return bookings make up about 60% of our most trusted host’s revenue.
Ignore customer experience, and you’ll pay the price. Bad reviews hurt your reputation, scare off new guests, and make it unlikely that past renters will ever come back.
7. They skip pre-trip and post-trip photos
When you hand over your car, you expect it back in the same condition and with the tank refilled. Most of the time that’s what happens. But on the rare occasion it doesn’t, you’ll need proof.
That’s why Tarlen created the Trip Check-In and Check-Out process. Before giving your guest the keys, do a full walkaround and snap photos of every visible surface. Don’t forget the tires, the interior, and the dashboard showing mileage and fuel level.
At the end of the trip, repeat the process. The more photos, the better, you can never take too many, but you can definitely take too few.
Without this documentation, damage claims won’t hold up. With it, you have clear, time-stamped evidence of your car’s condition before and after the trip.
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