Car Hire Customers Should Beware of 'Unfair Wear & Tear' Fees - Carrentals.co.uk

Online, September 11, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Leading internet car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk is advising customers who rent cars to make a report of any issues involving 'wear and tear' to their rental office as soon as they notice them. These mechanical issues typically include clutch and brake performance as well as aesthetic damage to the windscreen or tyres.

In recent months several consumers have reported unfair charges concerning things like a damaged clutch - which easily could have been damaged earlier. To avoid being charged for this damage be sure and report problems immediately.

Gareth Robinson, Managing Director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: "Savvy car hire customers always check the car thoroughly before driving it off the rental lot but occasionally a problem doesn't surface until the vehicle is being driven. Components like the clutch and brakes naturally deteriorate over time, but you don't want to be the unlucky person who gets charged for it. We suggest that you contact the car hire company the moment you notice and kind of mechanical problems with the car, no matter how small."

Carrentals.co.uk Top Tips to Avoid 'Unfair Wear & Tear' Charges -

1) Look for the best possible insurance coverage before travelling and be sure things like windscreen and tyre damage is covered.

2) When you pick up your rental car take the time to carefully inspect the entire vehicle and report any concerns to the office staff.

3) Some problems like a nail in the tyre won't be obvious until you begin driving the car, so pay close attention during the first few miles of driving for any concerns and return straightaway to the car hire office if anything is amiss.

4) As you continue to drive your rental car, pay attention to any new mechanical troubles and contact the car hire office immediately. Don't wait until you return the car to mention the problem.

5) Keep detailed records of any communication with your rental supplier such as phone calls or emails so that you have a solid record of contact in the case of a dispute.

Gareth adds: "Car rental firms do keep regular maintenance on their vehicles, but things like brake pads and clutches eventually reach a breaking point. Our goal is to protect and inform our customers so they don't get hit with unnecessary charges. It's important to read the extra insurance coverage details closely and make sure the common issues are covered like tyres and windscreens."

Carrentals.co.uk, the award winning website, compares cheap car hire offers from international rental companies including Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Holiday Autos and Sixt, and has booked more than 650,000 car rentals to date. They offer car hire in Portugal, including popular sites like car hire in Faro, as well as France, Spain and 15,000 other locations worldwide. For more information visit www.carrentals.co.uk
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About Carrentals.co.uk
Carrentals.co.uk was launched in February 2003 and grew to become one of the UK's leading online car hire companies by 2006.

In 2007 the company re-launched its site to create the first major online price comparator in the travel industry. Using the latest technology the Carrentals.co.uk site now searches up to 50 different car hire websites, providing an impartial comparison of the best prices available in over 15,000 locations.

Websites searched include Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Ebookers, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Opodo, Sixt and Thrifty, with the Carrentals.co.uk site quickly comparing prices and allowing customers to refine their search by car type.

The Carrentals.co.uk site also features over 5,000 pages of travel information in a mini-guide format.

In 2008 Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the Travolution Awards, and in 2010 it was Highly Commended in the Best Meta-search/Price Comparison category. To book or for further information visit www.carrentals.co.uk

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