It is often one of those restrictions when you come to booking the next family holiday: the need for everything to be within walking distance.
I can’t help but feel though that this severely limits the experience I can give the kids. We won’t be able to go on day trips to certain places, we have to fall in line with local bus schedules, and don’t have that freedom to just get in a car and go on an adventure.
That’s why for our next break away, I’ll be looking at leasing a car. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the UK or anywhere else, the same rules apply when looking for the right company to do a deal with, so here are the top things you need to remember.
1. Don’t leave it too late
The worst thing you can do is wait until you turn up at the airport and go straight to the desk, or wait until you get the hotel and ask them for advice. These kinds of sellers have monopolies on the areas they serve, so they are more likely to overcharge. Plus, you will pay a premium for needing a car the same day, whereas a lot of these companies will do early-bird deals for those who book in advance of their trip. Always remember to shop around as early as possible for the best price.
2. Take your own extras
Many car leasing and rental companies will make money by adding extras that you may not need. For example, take your own child car seat with you rather than adding one on simply for ease, and opt for cars that don’t have satnavs, using your smartphone instead. However, look out for deals by companies that include such things for free as part of seasonal offers and so on.
3. Hunt for deals
There are so many businesses out there who lease cars on a long or short term basis, so it can be difficult to know who to choose for the best price. My tip here is to opt for a specialist company that are rated on Feefo, where you can view genuine driver feedback. All Car Leasing is one such example, and they have over 7,000 vehicles on their books for you to choose from, so you’re bound to find one that suits.
4. Before you set off…
When you’ve selected the car model, there are a few things you should always do before setting off. Firstly, take images of any scratches or damage, and make the sales assistant aware that they were there before you took responsibility for the vehicle. Secondly, note how much fuel you have when picking up the car, and ask what their returns policy is in terms of how much is in the tank. Finally, when you pay for the car, always use a credit card for greater security.
Do you have any more tips for leasing a family car?
