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.
Notes to gather before a work trip
Write down the dates first, including any early starts or late finishes that affect how many days you need the car. Next, list the driver details: who will be behind the wheel, and whether any colleague might share the driving. Note where the car should be collected or delivered, and the address of each meeting or site you will visit. If the trip involves equipment, samples or presentation materials, estimate how much space they take and note the figure in your enquiry. Keep this information together when you contact the team, and ask which vehicle groups and delivery options they can offer for your dates before you book.
Weighing up everyday car sizes
Consider how the car will actually be used day to day. A city car suits a solo driver with a briefcase; an estate or SUV makes more sense if you regularly carry boxes, tools or a dog. If passengers join often, a people carrier gives everyone room, while an executive saloon may fit the tone of client-facing work. Think about parking at your usual stops and whether an automatic would suit the journey better than a manual. None of these choices need to be final before you call, but having a preference and a reason for it helps the conversation. Share your dates, driver details and where you need the car, then ask the team to confirm the vehicle group, collection or delivery arrangements and price.
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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.















