Car rental
Picking a car rental firm means wanting a clean vehicle, a fair price and no surprises when you return the keys. Here is how the companies compare on what matters to drivers.
Car rental companies
35 companies
About Car rental
Car rental in the United Kingdom covers short-term hire of cars, vans and minibuses for days, weeks or longer, whether for a holiday, a business trip or while a driver's own vehicle is off the road. The category includes airport and railway station desks, high street branches, and firms that deliver a vehicle to a customer's door. Many operators also offer add-ons such as additional drivers, child seats and extended cover.
Rental companies reach customers through their own websites, comparison platforms, travel agents, corporate accounts and partnerships with insurers, garages and breakdown providers. The market is a mix of large national brands with extensive branch networks, franchise operators, and smaller local firms serving a particular town or niche. Prices for the same vehicle can differ widely depending on season, location and how far ahead a booking is made.
The sector is overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority where rental is linked to credit or finance agreements, and the Competition and Markets Authority reviews consumer protection and pricing practices across the market. The Association of British Insurers and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association represent many operators, and the Consumer Protection Act and consumer contract rules set the baseline for how deposits, fuel charges and damage claims must be handled.
Questions about Car rental
How do I choose a car rental company in the UK?
Start by checking whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, and confirm its trading name, registered address and company number on its website. Compare the total cost including insurance excess, fuel policy, mileage limits and any airport or one-way fees, rather than the headline daily rate. Check that the vehicle is supplied with the documents required by law, including a valid MOT certificate and proof of insurance.
What should I compare before booking a hire car?
Compare the excess amount, the cost of reducing it, the fuel policy, the mileage allowance and the charge for each additional mile. Look at the cancellation terms, the age and minimum licence requirements for drivers, and whether additional drivers are charged for. Note any deposit or card pre-authorisation that will be held on your account and when it will be released.
Do I have to buy the insurance offered at the desk?
No, you are not obliged to buy the rental company's own excess reduction cover at the desk. Your own motor insurance, a credit card with car rental cover, or a standalone excess insurance policy may provide the same protection. You must check the terms, because the rental agreement will still make you liable for the excess if you damage the car and do not have cover.
Can I cancel a car rental booking and get my money back?
Yes, most bookings can be cancelled, but the refund depends on the terms you accepted when booking and the timing of the cancellation. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cancellation right for distance contracts made online, but this does not apply to some contracts for services with a set date, so read the booking terms carefully. Keep written confirmation of the cancellation and the refund amount.
What are my rights if the car I collect is damaged or not as described?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described in the booking. Photograph the vehicle and its existing damage before you drive away and make sure any damage is recorded on the rental agreement. If the vehicle does not match the description, ask for a replacement or a refund, and report the problem to the company in writing straight away.
What happens if the car breaks down during my rental?
The rental company is responsible for providing a roadworthy vehicle, so contact its roadside assistance line as soon as the fault occurs and follow its instructions. Keep a record of the time, location and any fault description, and ask for a replacement vehicle or a refund for the period affected. If the company does not respond, you can raise the matter as a complaint and cite your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
How do I make a claim if I am involved in an accident in a hire car?
Report the accident to the police if anyone is injured or the incident is serious, and to the rental company's emergency line as soon as possible. Take photographs, record the details of any other parties and witnesses, and obtain a crime reference number if the police attend. Do not admit liability, and complete the company's accident report in full before you leave the scene.
What should I do if I have a complaint about a car rental company?
Raise the complaint directly with the company in writing, set out what went wrong, what you want as a remedy and a reasonable deadline for a response. If the company does not resolve the matter, check whether it belongs to an alternative dispute resolution scheme, which the trade body or your contract will name. You can also complain to Trading Standards or use the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, and for card-paid bookings you may be able to ask your card issuer about a chargeback.
Which regulators and schemes apply to car rental in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority and Trading Standards enforce consumer law, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority regulates some credit and insurance products sold alongside a hire, and the Financial Ombudsman Service can consider complaints about regulated financial products. Companies that belong to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association must follow its code of practice.
Is a deposit or card hold a normal part of renting a car?
Many companies place a deposit or pre-authorisation on a debit or credit card to cover the excess and any charges. The amount must be disclosed before you sign the agreement, and it should be released once the car is returned and checked. Ask for the release timescale in writing, because banks can take several working days to clear the hold.
What should I look for in reviews of car rental companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as the collection process, the condition of the vehicle, how deposits and excess charges were handled, and how the company responded to a problem. Compare the dates of the reviews, since recent experiences show how a company currently operates. Be cautious of reviews that repeat the same wording or that only praise or criticise without any detail.
Can a car rental company charge me for damage I did not cause?
A company can only charge you for damage that is recorded on the rental agreement or shown in the check-out and check-in reports, and it must be able to show the damage occurred during your hire. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, unfair terms that hold you liable for matters outside your control are not binding. Dispute any charge in writing with photographs and the check-out report, and if it is not withdrawn, you can escalate it through the company's complaints process or to the Financial Ombudsman Service where the charge relates to a regulated product.