Cheap UK Car Hire

[angel]

Do we have a car hire thread here? I've searched and can't find anything.

I was wondering of people have recommendations for car hire companies. Also advice and pitfalls to avoid I need to hire a car for two weeks in May.

Thanks!

[maclean2]

I can recommend www.affordablerentals.co.uk as I have used them personally for cars and vans a number of times.

As you will see they are in Bisley and Kingston with very competitive prices.

[humfer]

The words 'Cheap' and 'UK' don't go together:mad:

Have you got any Tesco clubcard vouchers - think they twin up with Avis to offer discounted car hire. To be honest never hired a car in the UK but National have been the cheapest when hiring them abroad

[pin]

Try moneysupermarket.com

[balsingh]

In terms of cheap, the ones that come to mind are www.easycar.com and www.e-sixt.co.uk

[Cumbrian Male]

When I hired a car while mine was in the garage 1car1 (www.1car1.co.uk) were cheapest.

£90 odd for a Corsa for 5 days.

[ailuro2]

we got a good deal from hertz through a secondary site, basically by googling car hire and the area we were going to.Got a 1.8 mondeo for 100 for a week July (05) - the next size up was 220,the next size down (focus) was 180. No idea why.Sorry I can't remember the site, just wanted to encourage you to have a good look at all the available cars on every site, as sometimes a different sized car works out cheaper.:D

[lozzypops]

Does anybody know a good car hire company abroad? I am going to Australia over Christmas for 3 weeks and buckling over the cost of car hire!!

[jpvic]

When you pick up the car, go round it with a fine tooth comb for any dents or scratches,
and point them out if there are any, so they enter it on the damage sheet.

Same with the interior.

Check to see if you have to bring it back with a full tank, if so DO FILL IT UP!
dont let them do it as they charge about £5 a ltr <--- exagerated a bit


I had a company try to make me pay for all the dings and dents on a car that were there when I took it out!
They failed

So beware!

[romario]

As mentioned above check the car very carefully before taking it out. Spend 10 mins checking EVERTHING, bend down at every corner of the car and look to the opposite end (e.g rear light cluster, looking to the front) as damage can be spotted more easily this way. Check bumper corners carefully, look for scuffed alloys, check tyres, check the radio works. Check it's taxed as ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law. If it is raining make sure its noted on the check sheet as rain can hide small scratces and dents. I used to work for one of these companies and know these cars dont always get treated well and can 'age' quickly.

[piggeh]

Cheap Care Hire = Tarting Test Drives from as many manufacturers as possible.

[msmicawber]

Angel - do you have AA/RAC or any other sort of breakdown cover (or does anyone who will be with you in May have it)? If so, you can often get good deals via them.

[piggeh]

Check to see if you have to bring it back with a full tank, if so DO FILL IT UP!
dont let them do it as they charge about £5 a ltr <--- exagerated a bit


Depending on the company - it's either pump price + 20% or about £1.30 a litre. Or thereabouts. Should say on the agreement. Always cheaper to fill it up to same level before returning.

And yes, always check for dings. I always miss out areas like scuffed alloys, windscreens, etc, so make sure you look EVERWHERE. And make sure the spare tyre is there too, as they'll almost definitely check this when they're taking it back.