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.
Information to Note Before Requesting a Quote
Write down your hire dates first, including the exact start and end times if you know them, so you can be precise when you contact the team. Note the driver details you'll need to provide, and think about whether any additional drivers might be involved. Record where you'd like the car delivered or whether collection suits you better, along with any alternative addresses in case plans change. If you have preferences, such as an automatic or a vehicle with generous boot space, list them so you can ask which groups fit. Consider whether you might need the car for an extra day, and ask about that possibility when you enquire. Preparing these points in advance means your conversation covers everything at once, and the team has the information needed to confirm the right vehicle group and price.
Thinking Through Your Return Journey
If your trip involves travelling somewhere and coming back, plan both legs rather than only the outward run. Note your departure time and your intended return time, then consider what might change along the way, such as an errand taking longer than expected or a meeting overrunning. Decide whether you'd like a buffer before returning the car, and ask whether extending the hire by a few hours is possible if you're unsure. Note the addresses at each end of the journey and any contact numbers for people you're meeting, so you can update them if timings shift. Think about luggage or purchases you'll carry back, since that might influence which vehicle group you ask about. A return plan with some flexibility gives you room to adjust.
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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.