Which UK car hire firm !!

Korkyb

Hi all


As you will soon be able to tell I have not hired a car for years....


I need to rent a car for a few days mid October from Heathrow Airport to Heathrow Airport. (Something around the size of a Focus / Astra).


I've had a look at the comparison sites and understand about booking third party insurance.


What is confusing me is the wide gap between the cheaper quotes which then appear to jump up to double or even triple when you get to the next batch of firms for what appears to be the same car.


- Why is there such a big jump / wide gap between the quotes??


- Should I be avoiding the cheaper ones??


- Is there a particular firm which has a good reputation??


Thanks for any advice!

Korkyb

..........

Shaka_Zulu

Try autoeurope I have been using them sporadically for years. Never a problem. They are a reseller.

JP1978

When booking through comparison sites you often get limited miles - 90 or so per day. Go direct to the hire co if you want more, they are generally unlimited or at least more than 90.

I use GreenMotion - have used them at Bristol twice, Stansted about ten times and now Luton last week - although they as a company get a very low review score and lots of complaints over 'false damage' I have not had a problem with them at all. I have a car booked for three days (2 nights) in two weeks and its costing me £16. My car last week was £21.00 for the same duration.

Their 0 excess is about 20 a day (you could call to confirm) - it maybe that even with that added, they are cheaper than the conventional companies, remembering that you get exactly the same basic insurance cover with the more well known brands as well, so damage one of their cars, you will be the same situation.

There are two names - Keddy and Firefly that are 'brands' of the bigger names and are only available to agents and resellers, these are aimed at competing with the cheaper brands like GM and Easirent. Again, limited number of miles as you are going through a reseller.

Whatever you do, make sure you have time to take pictures and video of all around the car, incl the roof, under the bumpers, sills etc, all the wheels & tyres and if there is damage, ensure its marked on the paperwork. If the car is wet, ask them to mark on the form inspected in the wet, same if car is dirty. Likewise when you take it back, ensure you have time to discuss there and then if any issues found, you dont want to be rushing off to a flight and then playing the blame game via email later.

As I say, I have never had an issue but have heard other customers been charged for fuel £25 per quarter of a tank - so mind to refuel before you get back, zero the odometer when you get in and watch to see how much fuel you use so you can estimate how much to put back in.

Also, whomever you go to, read their T&C's in relation to documents required (DVLA check code, passport etc) and their retention time - the time they will hold onto the car before they declare a no show - if your flight is delayed - if it is, call them before departure to let them know.

Edit to add, sometimes I seem to get a car thats lower than the type I have booked, Ive not been too bothered as its always been a decent car nonetheless. You may want to consider hiring a level up if its only a couple of £ difference to be sure. IE, When I ask for a focus/golf I got a Jazz. When I order passat/mondeo I get a 2008/308SW... although this week in Luton, ordered a mondeo/passat size and got an X-Trail!

Also, most cars these days have Android Auto / Apple Car - take your lead with you for your phone, you can set up so that Google Maps shows on the car display. I take a portable car mount with me every week as well.

pogofish

Wouldn't a Flights and car hire forum be a very good idea...?

Korkyb

Magic, thanks for advice.

EssexExile

pogofish wrote: »

Wouldn't a Flights and car hire forum be a very good idea...?

Not really, that's in the overseas holidays section!

Mercdriver

JP1978 wrote: »

Edit to add, sometimes I seem to get a car thats lower than the type I have booked, Ive not been too bothered as its always been a decent car nonetheless. You may want to consider hiring a level up if its only a couple of £ difference to be sure. IE, When I ask for a focus/golf I got a Jazz. When I order passat/mondeo I get a 2008/308SW... although this week in Luton, ordered a mondeo/passat size and got an X-Trail!

Also, most cars these days have Android Auto / Apple Car - take your lead with you for your phone, you can set up so that Google Maps shows on the car display. I take a portable car mount with me every week as well.

I once booked a Merecedes C Class with Avis and they upgraded that to a Porsche Cayenne Turbo FOC.