WHEN travelling to the United Kingdom, you’ll quickly discover that walking from destination to destination is not such fun and downright frustrating so it’s well worth investing in a rental car.
Whether you’re travelling for fun or business, you’ll want to make sure that you’re able to experience the maximum level of convenience.
Doing so will give you the freedom to travel around the country with ease. And of course, this will allow you to see more of what the country has to offer during your stay. Below, you will find tips for choosing the right rental vehicle for your trip.
Going green
Do you want to cut your emissions and do your best to protect the environment? If so, you’ll definitely want to choose a car that is considered green so put in a little extra effort to find car rental firms offering environmentally friendly cars.
If you’re going to be staying in a big city, such as London, you may be fine with an electric car.
Be cautious of compact cars
It is vital to realise that compact in the United Kingdom is far different from compact in the United States. In America, compact cars are much bigger than their UK equivalents. If you’re going to rent a compact car in the United Kingdom, you should be aware that it might be be a squeeze for four people.
It is in your best interest to ensure that every member of your party will fit in comfortably into the car with good legroom, so make sure to ask for vehicle dimensions in one of the Apex Luxury Car Hire offices prior to booking. If you’re travelling with a group of four or more people, you might want to skip the compact.
Stick with an automatic
If you’re travelling from the United States to the UK, you should be cautious about choosing a standard car. While you might be experienced with standard cars in America, you need to realise that the cars are far different in Britain.
In the UK, the steering wheel is on the right and so the gear shift will be on your left. This can make it very uncomfortable until you’ve got used to using the stick with your left hand. To avoid this problem, simply stick with an automatic vehicle.
Be willing to compromise
No matter what, you should be willing to compromise. When booking a car rental, you may find that your options may be limited by the number of cars in stock – the more notice you give, the more chance you have of getting the make and model that you prefer. With this in mind, you should put a lot of emphasis on size, comfort and price.
As long as you hit the right notes in these categories, you should be fine in the long run.
Considering the available features
Another thing to remember is that all cars are different. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, you may be able to acquire more luxurious features that can help make your trip far more enjoyable.
For instance, you might be able to have a GPS navigation system, DVD, and air conditioning. These things are not always available. If you feel that they’re necessities for your trip, you should definitely pay a little extra to ensure that they’re available to you and your family members.
Always check the car thoroughly
It is vital to remember that rental vehicles are driven frequently and often over long distances so before driving the car away from the car hire centre you should give it a thorough inspection.
Check which side the fuel filler is, how to open it, and most importantly what fuel it takes – whether diesel or unleaded petrol. A mix-up can be expensive
Check the bodywork and wheels for any scratches or damage, check the tyres and make sure they appear to be in good condition.
Check the headlights, indicators, electric windows, and windscreen wipers to make sure everything is in good working condition – and that you know how to use all the controls – before driving away.
If there is anything that makes you uncomfortable, make your concerns known. The company will do whatever possible to find a vehicle that better suits your needs!
