Car hire prices may stabilised compared with last year (see table below), but they are still far higher than they were before the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the long standing issues, which have been plaguing customers for years, continue. These include high pressure sales of over-priced extras at the pick up desk and unexpected and extortionate charges for damage, which continue to be a minefield for consumers trying to find a decent deal.
Many get it wrong and end up paying a high price as a result – these are the most common mistakes to avoid. For further advice on how to keep costs low use our dedicated guide.
1. Failing to compare prices
Rates for the same car can vary hugely and if you go to the wrong company without getting other quotes, you could easily pay twice as much as you need to.
However, when making comparisons beware: it is vital to compare like for like and make sure that all the extras you need are included in the price (see below). And make sure you check brokers (such as zestcarrental.com or autoeurope.co.uk) which operate by negotiating with lots of different suppliers to find the most competitive price.
2. Booking too late
Typically people tend to book hire cars only a couple of weeks before departure. This is a big mistake. To get the best price you really need to plan six months in advance. And if it does turn out that prices fall significantly before departure, you can avoid missing out on these if you book with a company that allows free cancellations. Then you can cancel and rebook if necessary.
3. Paying too late
Some companies allow you to book without even paying a deposit – you pay the full amount on collection. It’s risky to do this. In recent summers, some renters who had booked in this way had their bookings cancelled by cynical suppliers who were taking advantage of rising prices and were effectively selling to the highest bidder at the last minute. Paying at least a deposit means you will be able to guarantee that you will be able to get the car at the price you have booked.
4. Travelling at peak season
You may have no choice but to book during the school holidays. But if you do, in some destinations you may have to pay three or four times more than those travelling in May and June. If you can possibly arrange to travel out of peak season, you will probably pay much less. Though be aware that high demand in September this year is already pushing up prices.
5. Getting caught out by cancellation charges
If you have paid upfront and are concerned about the possibility you may have to cancel, then beware possible charges. Some suppliers allow you to cancel without penalty and it is definitely worth looking for this provision, even if it means paying a slight premium.
7. Overpaying for excess waivers
One of the annoying quirks of car hire agreements is the way the insurance works. All cars come with some cover, but if you have an accident, you will get charged a huge excess – most are now set at about €1,000 or more. Car hire companies then sell additional insurances to remove or reduce this excess. Such policies are rarely good value, however. You will do much better to buy your own cover from an independent insurer. Which? recommends policies offered by Cover4rentals Gold, Worldwide Insure Deluxe and Chew.
8. Maxing out your credit card
If you choose to take out your own excess insurance, you’ll almost always need to pre-authorise the full excess amount on a credit card when collecting the car. This is because, if there’s an accident, you’ll likely have to pay the excess to the rental company and then claim it back from your insurer. Make sure your credit card has a high enough limit – otherwise, the rental company may not release the vehicle or may insist you buy their insurance instead. Also, the card must be in the name of the person on the booking, and debit cards usually aren’t accepted.
9. Arriving too late
Since many contracts specify that cars will only be held for two hours after the booked time, lots were cancelled unilaterally by the suppliers if customers didn’t turn up – especially if it passed the point when the desk closed for the night. If your flight is delayed by more than one hour after the start time of the rental, it’s vital to call the rental office to prevent this from happening.
10. Not checking for scratches and dents
High charges for small dents or scratches discovered once the car is returned are one of the biggest causes of complaint among our readers. So when you pick up the car, make sure you inspect it carefully to check that every scratch or dent on the bodywork is recorded on the contract. As a safeguard, take photographs of all four sides of the car. And if the vehicle is not inspected when you return it, take a second set of photographs to record its condition.
11. Over-paying for petrol
Fuel policies are also an irritation which can cost you dearly. The most straightforward is one which allows you to collect a car with a full tank and return it in the same state. However, if you don’t find a convenient petrol station and return it half full, you will almost always pay a premium for the missing fuel and an additional charge on top. Empty to empty is annoying because you will probably end up leaving extra petrol in the tank to avoid the risk of running out. And the other common policy, full to empty (ie. paying for a full tank when you book), also makes it difficult to plan your return without wasting money on fuel you don’t use
This story was first published in June 2023 and has been revised and updated.