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.
Picking a suitable car
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.
Questions Worth Asking Early
Before requesting a quote, write down the details that will shape your enquiry: the dates you need the car, who will be driving and where you would like it delivered or collected. From there, think about what you still need to know. You might ask which vehicle groups are available for your dates, whether an automatic can be confirmed, or what the delivery and collection arrangements involve. If you are choosing between an estate and an SUV, ask how each compares for your luggage. It can also help to note what happens if your plans change, so ask about amending dates or extending the hire. Keeping a list of these questions means nothing important gets forgotten when you speak to the team.
Getting Ready for a Work Trip
If the car is for a work trip, begin by recording the travel dates, the driver or drivers involved and the addresses you will visit, including any client or site contacts and their phone numbers. Note how many colleagues or tools will travel with you, and whether you need boot space for samples, equipment or files, since this influences whether a compact car will do or something larger is worth requesting. If meetings could run over, note the flexibility you have around return times and where the car should be handed back. Questions about executive saloons for client-facing travel, or people carriers for a small team, can be raised when you ask for a quote.
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Last checks 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.















