This paper presents a method for choosing the most appropriate contact model from several models, by comparing their efficiency for predicting hysteretic behaviour in different applications. The first part describes an application for a belt tensioner used for automotive engines. The second part concerns an academic application and focuses on a simple case of vibration in the presence of dry friction. The hysteresis loops obtained at contact locations are usually used to reproduce the nonlinear forces transmitted along the contact surface as accurately as possible. Although such techniques can be used when the contact zone is easily accessible, this is not generally possible for real, complex structures. Consequently, different techniques are developed and validated.