From time to time over the last few years, it has been necessary for me to hire cars – both privately and on business. I have used a number of different car rental companies, according to availability and location, but I would gladly recommend Enterprise Cars based on my recent rental experiences.

On both occasions that I have hired from Enterprise I have been advised that the vehicle that I require will be available on the date that I require it. Whilst this may seem like a relatively simple request, you will be amazed at how difficult it can be to locate higher specification rental cars, especially at short notice. On both occasions, I telephoned one day beforehand, and on both occasions the rental centre was able to accommodate my request.

Upon arrival at the rental desk, I have always been greeted with the utmost courtesy. The first time that a vehicle is rented from any dealership the paperwork and checking our procedure can be relatively time-consuming, in order to ensure that everything is in order. An advantage of returning to the same dealership is that all details are held on file, so you can complete the transaction much more quickly. Each of the employees with whom I have dealt has clearly been keen to please, offering instructions and advice on the car’s features, and even offering a lift to and from the rental centre if necessary. This is evident in the amount of positive feedback that I noted in the customer comments book (which you are prompted to fill in when you return the vehicle!). Compared to other centres, my experiences at Enterprise have been wholly positive – I have no complaints.

1. Always discuss the availability of excess waiver premiums. Many people are unaware that an accident in or theft of a hire car will register on the driver’s insurance history as if it were his/her own vehicle. It is therefore paramount that you treat the car as you would your own to avoid any potential claims. Most rental centres will offer an excess waiver premium that is paid daily – this means that in the event that the car is stolen, or someone else is to blame for the damage, you will not be liable for the insurance excess (often around £500) – and the incident will not figure on your insurance history. This premium increases with the grade of vehicle but expect to pay between £7 and £15 more per day.

5. Check all invoicing meticulously. The average invoice will itemise the cost of the rental in full – examine what you are being charged in advance. There may be a number of premiums (e.g. personal effects protection) that you are happy to waiver in favour of reduced costs. Alternatively, you may have requested an additional protection that is not formally acknowledged – which could cause problems later on. Documentation can become a real problem if the rental term is extended (or reduced) and you may be billed in portions. Remember that when you take the vehicle out you will normally be required to pay a deposit, or have a certain amount authorised to your credit card. Make sure you get back anything that is supposed to come back!

7. Don’t be frightened to haggle. Dealers will be keen to have vehicles on rent rather than stuck in showrooms so the longer you want the car for, the more discount you should expect to receive. Most dealers will have a daily rate, a weekend rate and a weekly rate – each lower than the other. I hired a Mercedes E220 CDI and was originally offered a weekly rate of £700. When the term increased to two weeks, the rate dropped to £500 for both weeks. When finally extended to a month the weekly rate dropped to £420 – that’s a massive 40% discount on the original rate.

Furthermore, unless you are a regular customer with a certain dealership, getting a vehicle delivered and collected is difficult, expensive or both. Most dealers will only deliver and collect once the renter has visited the office at least once and even thereafter may still charge for the privilege (Enterprise charge a £30 delivery or collection fee). Surely it stands to reason that people wishing to hire cars don’t have access to one at the time to get to the dealership easily – so why make it difficult for them? Charging and invoicing is often complicated and messy – I would like to see much clearer statements of charges with a full, clear itemisation of exactly what the customer is being charged for.