Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
Finding a car to suit the trip
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Weighing up everyday car sizes
If you are weighing up a compact city car against an estate or an SUV, start with what you actually carry week to week. Note the number of passengers you usually have, the typical luggage or equipment for your trips, and whether you regularly transport bulky items. A compact or automatic may suit short local runs with one or two people, an estate gives you more room for bags, and a people carrier covers larger family groups. Record the rough dimensions of anything you often transport, such as a pushchair, golf bags or a bicycle, and mention these when you enquire. Executive saloons come into play where presentation matters, for instance client meetings or weddings, so it is worth noting the occasion alongside your size requirements.
Details to gather before requesting a price
What should you ask before requesting a quote for a car? Begin with the dates you have in mind and whether collection or delivery suits your routine. List the drivers who may be named on the hire, including their details, and state where the vehicle will be based during the booking. If you need an automatic, child seats, or space for a specific number of passengers and bags, put those points in your first message. You might also ask how the vehicle group is confirmed, what happens if your dates shift, and who to contact with questions before collection. Keeping this list ready means the reply you receive can cover the right group, options and price in one go rather than several exchanges.
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What to confirm on the phone
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.