5 tips to secure cheap car hire

Planning a staycation for the summer? Or maybe just a family day trip?

Hiring a car is one of the most convenient ways to travel – offering comfort, freedom, and safety. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here we offer a few tips on how to secure a cheap car rental.

How to save money on car hire

1. 1. Do your research

The number one rule is to shop around.

Don’t just book a vehicle with the first rental firm you find. Or discount small local companies in favour of the big brand names – simply because it’s a name you’ve heard before. Find out their hire rates, do a quick comparison, and establish which company can offer you the best deal.

Here at PSD Vehicle Rental, we have a ‘quick hire calculator’ – which allows you to pop in a few details and get an instant quote for your requirements. Yes, we’re a small family business. But we pride ourselves on our competitive rates and always offer a price match guarantee. Find the same car hire elsewhere for less, and we promise to match that price or improve upon it further.

2. 2. Choose a vehicle wisely

When it comes to getting a cheap car hire, the key is to be practical.

Do you really need a large vehicle, with all the mod-cons and enough space for a family of five? Or would a small economy car do the job? Think carefully about exactly what you need, both in terms of the car’s size and its specification. The bigger and fancier the vehicle, the more the rental is likely to cost. So, try to focus on functionality (rather than style) and save yourself some money.

3. 3. Check the fuel policy

Different rental companies offer different fuel policies.

The most common is ‘full to full’; which means, you drive away with a full tank and return the car with a full tank of petrol. And this is usually the cheapest option, as you only pay for what you use.

But some companies have a ‘full to empty’ policy, whereby you’ll be asked to pay upfront for the cost of a full tank – regardless of whether you intend to use it all or not. This often works out more expensive, especially if the fuel is charged at a premium rate or has an extra service fee.

So, before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth double-checking which policy the firm uses.

4. 4. Consider your mileage

Short-term car hires often come with a mileage limit. In most cases, this limit will be ample for your needs. But if you think you may exceed the cut-off, be sure to check how much the company will charge for every extra mile that you do – as this can make a huge difference to the cost of the rental.

Here at PSD, we have a maximum allowance of 750 miles per week and charge 10p + VAT per extra mile. So, no matter how far you wish to travel, your cheap car hire will remain exactly that – cheap.

5. 5. Skip the extras

Often, vehicle rental deals will have hidden charges and extra fees – which you may not be initially aware of. And the fantastic price you were first quoted, isn’t the price you end up paying.

So, before committing to a hire car, find out exactly what it includes. And, to cut down the cost further, think carefully about whether you need any of the optional extras on offer at checkout.

For example, is insurance necessary? Most rentals include a damage waiver, which provides all the protection that you require. Do you really need to cover an additional driver or could one person do the full journey? Do you need to hire a sat nav or could you use an app on your phone instead? Don’t ruin an amazing rental deal by opting for extras that you simply don’t need.

Cheap car rentals available at PSD

If you’re searching for a cheap car rental deal, be sure to keep us in mind.

We have a comprehensive range of cars available to hire on a short- or long-term basis, with something to suit all requirements. We operate a ‘full to full’ fuel policy and offer a generous mileage limit with all vehicles. And crucially, our rates are incredibly fair and competitive. So, why not take a look today and get a quote for your summer outing?

Either use our ‘quick quote calculator’ or, if you’d prefer to chat with a member of the team, feel free to give us a call on 0345 222 1022. We’re always on hand to help and, whatever your needs or budget, we’ll be able to create a cheap car hire deal that works for you and your plans.