Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
Finding a car to suit the trip
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Packing for a Short Break
Choosing which car group to request often starts with a simple question: how much will each person bring? Before enquiring, list the suitcases, holdalls and any equipment such as pushchairs, golf bags or ski gear, and estimate the size of the largest items. A couple travelling light for a weekend may find a compact car fits the bill, whereas a family with a boot full of luggage might lean towards an estate or SUV. If you are collecting passengers on the way, factor in their bags too. Note whether you prefer an automatic and how many seats you genuinely need. Passing this information to SDVH London when you ask for a quote helps the team match you to a suitable vehicle group.
Sketching an Arrival-Day Itinerary
Once the car is provisionally chosen, think through what the first day of your trip involves. Write down your arrival time, where you need to be and when, and any appointments or check-in windows that cannot slip. If the day includes several stops, list them in order with rough timings and a contact number for anyone expecting you. Decide whether you want the car delivered to your home, a station or another point, and confirm that address when you enquire. It can also help to ask the team what happens if your plans shift by an hour or a day. Having a clear first-day plan means your dates, delivery point and vehicle choice can all be checked together before anything is confirmed.
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What to confirm on the phone
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.















