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.
Hiring a car for a longer stay
If a visit to family or an extended work placement stretches over several weeks, the car you choose matters more than it would for a weekend. Think about who is travelling with you, how much luggage comes along and whether the boot needs to swallow a pushchair or sports gear on top of the cases. A longer hire also gives small preferences more weight, so if you favour an automatic or want room for occasional extra passengers, say so early. Settle your dates as firmly as you can, since knowing the full length of the stay helps the team quote accurately. Mention where the car should be delivered and any change to the return arrangements at the same time.
Getting ready for a work trip
A work trip usually comes with a fixed schedule, so the car needs to fit around meetings rather than the other way round. Note down every appointment, the addresses involved and the gaps between them, then consider how many colleagues or samples will be riding along. If you are meeting a client, an executive saloon might match the occasion better than something more utilitarian, and that preference is worth stating when you enquire. Decide whether collection or delivery suits your first appointment, and allow some slack in the timing for the journey. Passing the itinerary outline to the team lets them suggest an appropriate vehicle group.
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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.















