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.
Getting Ready for a Work Trip
For a work trip, the information you record at the outset often determines how smoothly the booking goes. Note the exact dates you need the car, including whether an early start or late finish changes the collection day, and write down the driver's details as the team will require them. Think about what you will carry: a laptop bag and overnight suitcase suggest a compact option, whereas boxes of exhibition materials or survey equipment may point towards an estate. Measure or estimate the dimensions of anything bulky so you can describe it accurately. If the car will be left somewhere other than where it was collected, mention this when you enquire. Useful questions include which vehicle groups are options for your dates and whether delivery to your chosen address can be arranged.
Comparing Everyday Car Sizes
When weighing up a compact city car against an estate, SUV, executive saloon or people carrier, it helps to draft a simple list of what the journey involves. Count the passengers who will travel, note their luggage, and record the size of any prams, golf bags or toolboxes that need to fit. Consider whether an automatic is preferred and whether the trip is one long drive or several short hops, since this may influence which group feels right for you. Write down any delivery or collection preferences, along with a contact number for whoever will receive the car. When asking for a quote, you might check how the vehicle groups differ in seating and boot capacity, which options are available on your dates, and what the collection arrangements would be.
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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.















