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Caring
for your hire car
Caring
for a car that is not your own might seem like an unusual concern to
most motorists. But when it comes to hiring classic cars, sports cars
and prestige vehicles, providing adequate care for a car that is not
your own can save you thousands of pounds.
Whenever
you rent
a car,
the terms and conditions of your hire will stipulate that you are
liable for any damage done to the car while it is in your possession.
However, when the car you are hiring is worth anywhere between
£30,000 and £100,000, the stakes are obviously somewhat higher.
Here
are a few ways that you can help to guarantee that you manage to
successfully return your dream hire car in tip-top condition.
Park
carefully
Damaged wheel trims are a bugbear of any car rental
manager. Upon returning any vehicle to a car rental firm, one of the
first checks an attendant will make is that the wheel trims have not
been cracked or broken when the car has clipped a curb either while
driving or during parking. To avoid incurring charges for damaged
wheel trims, leave a little more room than you usually would when
pulling up to a curb in your hire car.
Avoid
the trees
Bird droppings can do a surprising amount of damage to
the paintwork of a car. The reason for this is not, as many people
believe, due to the acidic nature of birdlime. The damage is caused
when droppings land on paint that has been warmed by sunlight as is
thus soft and slightly expanded. The birdlime causes the paint to
quickly harden and, as the car’s surface cools overnight, the paint
contracts around the dropping and moulds itself around the dropping’s
texture. When the car is then cleaned, a dull or etched patch of
paintwork is left behind. To save yourself an expensive paintwork
bill, avoid parking your hire car under trees, telegraph wires or any
area where birds are likely to perch or nest. If your hire car does
fall victim to droppings, act as quickly as possible to clean them
off.
Cover
up
Car covers are a great way to make sure that your costly hire
car doesn’t get damaged when you are away from it. Whether you are
keeping a car outdoors or in a garage, a breathable car cover will
give you peace of mind when you can’t be there to make sure the
body and paintwork of your hire car are safe from harm. Some rental
companies will stock car covers that they can lend you for your
period of hire. Seat covers are also strongly recommended,
particularly if you are planning to drive children in your hire car.
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