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 Before a Quote
Write down the details that shape your enquiry first: the exact dates, the driver details for everyone who might get behind the wheel, and the addresses for delivery or collection. Then draft your questions. You might ask which vehicle groups are options on your dates, how an estate compares with an SUV for your luggage, or whether a people carrier still suits if two passengers drop out. If you are undecided between an automatic and a manual, say so and ask what is available. Note any must-haves, such as a particular boot size for a pushchair, so the team can respond to your actual needs rather than a guess. Keeping this list with you keeps the enquiry focused.
Sketching an Itinerary for Arrival Day
If the car is being delivered or collected on a travel day, sketch the itinerary before you confirm anything. Note the time you need the car, the address where it should appear, and the first journey you plan to make, whether that is a station pick-up, a supermarket stop or a family visit. List the passengers and bags expected that day, including any bulky items like a travel cot, and note their dimensions if you are unsure which vehicle group to request. Record who will inspect the car with you and keep their contact details handy in case timings slip. Where someone else receives the car on your behalf, arrange that with them directly. You can then ask the team to align delivery with your schedule.
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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.















