Do hire cars have to be new and well cared for?

Find out what obligations your rental firm has when it comes to the quality of your hire car

No is the simple answer - as long as your hire car is roadworthy, then technically it's OK to hire out. The major hire car firms all tend to use new vehicles, as they have agreements with the major car manufacturers to take a set number of cars every year. They are a significant contributor to the 'new registration numbers' that the car companies use to stress their popularity!

Local car hire firms in holiday resorts do not have the same reputation - a member of the editorial team here at MoneyMaxim ended up with a car that needed anything electrical switching off to maintain progress when going up a hill! Check for reviews on the internet and, if you are booking with a company you don't know, ask the question, and wherever possible get e-mail confirmation!

Do let us know if you have any companies you think should be highlighted - both good and bad - drop us a line and we will add your feedback to our company register!

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If you have any queries do call a member of the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance team.

This content was last reviewed on 10/10/2022

Image courtesy of: Georgio

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General Car Hire Queries Answered

• Can you tell me if my car hire company will be in the airport or if I will need to get a shuttle bus?
• Should I choose unlimited mileage with my car hire? And how do I?
• Can you provide me a quote for car hire and car hire excess insurance even if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
• Can I be charged a fee for cleaning my hire car?
• Do I have to use a credit card to hire a car?
• Can I take my hire car cross border from one country to another and how much will it cost me?
• Can I hire a car if I don't have my driving licence?
• Do I need an International driving permit to hire a car abroad?
• How do I Find the Best Deals for Cheap Car Hire?
• What happens if I forget my driving licence?
• Which fuel rules apply to hire cars?
• Will I be able to put a roof rack on my hire car?
• If I need a car for less than a week, is it cheaper to hire daily or weekly?
• If I arrive late and want to pick up my vehicle the following day is this OK?
• If I return the hire car late, will I be charged?
• What do car rental companies typically charge if you lose the keys to your rental car?
• What happens if the model I have booked is unavailable?
• Can I pick my car up in one place and return it to another?
• What if I am overcharged or do not get the car group I booked?
• Do hire cars have to be new and well cared for?
• What happens if the car or the boot is not big enough for my party?
• Am I able to accept an upgrade?
• Do car rental companies have spare keys?
• Will I get a Sat Nav with my hire car?
• I booked snow chains, a roof rack or a roof box - what happens if they are not there when I arrive?
• What happens if the car rental company do not have the car I booked?

Driver and Passenger Related Car Hire Queries Answered

• Does it cost more for additional drivers?
• Young Drivers (under 25 years old)?
• Am I too old to hire a car?
• If I want an additional driver on my hire car, will I have to pay more?
• What's the maximum number of passengers I can take in my hire car?