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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Choosing between an automatic or manual
The first real choice many drivers face is the gearbox. Some people prefer an automatic, perhaps because it is what they are used to or because they would rather have fewer controls to manage, while others feel more at home with a manual. Availability of each type can vary by vehicle group and by date, so state your preference when you enquire rather than assuming it can be met. Mention any other priorities too, such as wanting a raised seating position or a large boot, since these details help narrow the options. Add your dates, driver details and where the car is needed, and the team can confirm which vehicles in a suitable group match your requirements, along with the price and the delivery or collection arrangements that apply to your booking.
Thinking ahead to the return journey
Plan the drop-off as carefully as the pickup. Note the date and time the car is due back, and think through how you will reach your next destination after handing it over. If the return is linked to a train or a flight, write down those times and leave a comfortable margin, so the handover is not squeezed into the final few minutes. Mention where and when the car needs to be returned or collected as you enquire, since the arrangements are confirmed as part of the booking. Any questions about the return, including what is expected when the car is handed back, are best put to the booking team in advance. Sharing your plans with anyone travelling with you also helps the last day run smoothly rather than feeling rushed.
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Things to check before booking
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.















