Car Hire - A cautionary tale

[pjm]

On a recent visit, I did the customary pre-arranged car hire from the airport. The car was booked through HolidayAutos and supplied by SixT, so one would normally expect that the vehicle was of a roadworthy condition.
What a foolish assumption..
Sure, the car was clean and polished, what I didn't expect (or notice for a few days) was that the windscreen wipers blades had split to the extent that they didn't touch the screen and that the front tyres were completely bald...
I pointed out these defects to SixT and they merely shrugged their shoulders and walked off. HolidayAutos contacted me with a questionnaire so I took the opportunity to express my concern... however I have yet to receive a reply.

So if you are hiring a vehicle, don't just look at the bumps and scrapes that they tell you are on the vehicle, check it's tyres at least!

[SJ & RE]

Thanx 4 the tip/ reminder 2 be more viligant

[fmm]

That is really bad. You should email sixt and complain to them directly. I use sixt all the time, and generally I have cars which are only a month or so old, with very little mileage. It would never occur to me to check the tyres for wear. If you had an accident and the cause was the tyres, then who would be responsible - the car hire company or the driver of the vehicle?

[Gary/Gaynor]

That really makes me mad. Looking at rental terms and condition it's mainly about what we are held accountable for when returning the car and nothing about what they are expected to provide as regards a good level of service plus a safe car. I guess it is up to us all to to make sure that All is working.
Good for posting this on the site, I certainly will, in future have a good look around the cars being given to us, but being NO expert can miss things easily especially when you've just arrived, normally tired, hungry, thirsty and want to get to your destination.
Gaynor

[laserblazer]

The other problem with YOR etc is that they give you the keys and you have to walk half a mile to the car. If there's a problem, then you would have to walk half a mile back and hope you can still find a Rep. If not, you are stuffed! I have to say, I've only ever had brand new cars from YOR so I haven't experienced the problem.

[thefellon]

I think problems with windscreen wipers are common as they are infrequently used in the algarve, with hire cars anyway. They just get brittle/melt in the sun and are dont tend to work when you need them.

There are no excuses for hire firms providing cars with Bald tyres, this is dangerous.

I always make a point of checking the tyres, then walk round for scratches/bumps to the bodywork. I always use YOR and have used them a dozen times without problem.

I have been concerned when returning cars when there is no representative to meet you on return, as they could claim anything of your credit card for 'proported' damage to the car. Again having used YOR so many times this has never been an issue , and i have built up a good trust with this company now.

[djprescott]

HolidayAutos are rubbish and will never use them again. They are only a broker and use local companies and therefore have no control over the condition of the cars.
We have had unroadworthy cars, no car at all and cost a fortune in making calls back to the UK to get sorted and they once used a company that had gone bust and this created big problems where we ended up having to pay twice to get a car.

[djprescott]

Use YOR car hire - never had any problems with them!

[tomgibson]

We have used Luzcar (www.luzcar.com) for more years than I can remember and have always found them first class in all respects. Even to the point when I inadvertantly booked a car for the wrong date, arrived at Faro to find my name was not on their list - they still supplied a car!

[Lesley Jean]

Use YOR car hire - never had any problems with them!

I so agree

[kennycapes]

Just returned from a great 2 weeks in CVO.

Got back to the airport and checked in and went through security. I then got a call from the YOR rep telling me that i had damage to the car and that it would cost 350 Euros. I couldn't go back and the damage that was on the carbon sheet at the front was for another small dent which i can't recall seeing. I do have insurance against the excess but how did he come up with the quote so quick. Not sure what my insurance company will say if there are no quotes but i'll have to deal with that.

My advise, if using YOR and the documents you get say there is damage to the car then make sure you check this out and call the rep on his mobile if nessesary. We were happy to be in Portugal and really just got in the car and went so i can't be sure when this happened.

make sure you checkout the damage first and then set off on your holiday

[djprescott]

Just returned from a great 2 weeks in CVO.

make sure you checkout the damage first and then set off on your holiday

That's good advice whoever you are hiring the car from.

I generally take pics of any significant damage when I pick the car up - dents, scratches, scuffed wheels etc.

However, I have never been charged for any damage by YOR anyway.

[tricky]

Hiya
Have to say that we have never had any problems with YOR in all the years we have been going to CVO

[kennycapes]

hi there,

Didn't really have a problem with YOR it was a lovley car, just a bit annoyed i didn't take a note of all the damage. Would say that the fact you have to walk to the car park is a bit annoying but would recommend YOR to anyone who asks as the prices were great.

[kennycapes]

CAn anyone give me a number for he YOR office. I am trying to get hold of them to give me a cost of the damage to my car. They are not replying to my emails