Car Hire Company - Bit miffed...
Discussion
I am back in the UK for 10 days and have hired a car for 7 days from a local company in Cambridge. I though I would keep the business local rather than hiring from Avis, et al.
However, I ordered online a "Golf", which would be acceptable as I have to go to a few meetings. The website isn't very clear that you won't get a Golf, but I appreciate something similar is acceptable.
I was given a 3.5/4 year old Megane, with a nackered clutch, which at best will do 35 mpg, and is pretty poor down the motorway.
How is a Megane in the same class as a Golf???? I would rather have a Fabia, Focus, etc. About the only similarity in class, is that they have 4 wheels, and a steering wheel. This was my first experience in this car, and I have to say, it is the most hateful, disgusting car I have ever had the displeasure of driving.
Am I within my rights to ask for a car that isn't almost undriveable due to the clutch, and the fact it isn't remotely in the same class as a Golf? (this could be subjective, as I haven't driven this model of car before, but the clutch is right at the top, and often judders - not sure if these are hydraulic self adjusting clutches?)
However, I ordered online a "Golf", which would be acceptable as I have to go to a few meetings. The website isn't very clear that you won't get a Golf, but I appreciate something similar is acceptable.
I was given a 3.5/4 year old Megane, with a nackered clutch, which at best will do 35 mpg, and is pretty poor down the motorway.
How is a Megane in the same class as a Golf???? I would rather have a Fabia, Focus, etc. About the only similarity in class, is that they have 4 wheels, and a steering wheel. This was my first experience in this car, and I have to say, it is the most hateful, disgusting car I have ever had the displeasure of driving.
Am I within my rights to ask for a car that isn't almost undriveable due to the clutch, and the fact it isn't remotely in the same class as a Golf? (this could be subjective, as I haven't driven this model of car before, but the clutch is right at the top, and often judders - not sure if these are hydraulic self adjusting clutches?)
Sadly, from a car hire POV, class isn't defined by how nice it is. A Megane is a similar size to a Golf, therefore it's the same class. MPG is also irrelevant.
The clutch issue is unrelated though - I would certainly take it back and expect them to either repair it or provide a replacement car.
The clutch issue is unrelated though - I would certainly take it back and expect them to either repair it or provide a replacement car.
Cars tend to be based on "segment" size - and Golf/Megane/Focus/Astra/308/various Korean anony-boxes are all in the same segment. although 3 and 5 door variants may be split in some of the bigger rental outfits.
You need to report the clutch asap, as it is not uncommon for mechanical damage to recharged back to the hirer as it is not covered by CDW.
Check to see if they are a member of the BVRLA and read up on the policies here - http://www.bvrla.co.uk/Consumer/Default.aspx Certainly when I was involved with them, the vehicles offered to the public all had to be under 3 years and 80,000 miles, though this may have changed recently due to falling residuals.
You need to report the clutch asap, as it is not uncommon for mechanical damage to recharged back to the hirer as it is not covered by CDW.
Check to see if they are a member of the BVRLA and read up on the policies here - http://www.bvrla.co.uk/Consumer/Default.aspx Certainly when I was involved with them, the vehicles offered to the public all had to be under 3 years and 80,000 miles, though this may have changed recently due to falling residuals.
It will be "Golf or similar" .... a Megane is considered in the same class.
Older hire cars are typical if you book with a small company, its only the big companies that have fleets of 6 - 12 month old vehicles. None of them will guarantee a particular model.
I'd say you got what you paid for!
Older hire cars are typical if you book with a small company, its only the big companies that have fleets of 6 - 12 month old vehicles. None of them will guarantee a particular model.
I'd say you got what you paid for!
Kiltox said:
Was it particularly cheap?
I only ever use one of the big players and have never had a car older than 7 months old. "Golf or equivalent" is always the case with them though.
£178 for 5 days. Is that cheap? I have no idea really I didn't have time to shop around. ETA: Their special offer was pay for 5, get 7 days, but that is the same price for 5 days...I only ever use one of the big players and have never had a car older than 7 months old. "Golf or equivalent" is always the case with them though.
stuart-b said:
£178 for 5 days. Is that cheap? I have no idea really I didn't have time to shop around. ETA: Their special offer was pay for 5, get 7 days, but that is the same price for 5 days...
Not a bad price in the scheme of things, but you get waht you pay for!As for the 5 day offer - standard practice. Rental across the country works on a 5 day week - so you pay the same whether it is from Thursday to Tuesday, Thursday to Wednesday, or Thursday to Thursday. Daily rates tend to be a fifth of the listed weekly rate, although single day rentals are usually a a bit more pricey again.
stuart-b said:
Am I within my rights to ask for a car that isn't almost undriveable due to the clutch, and the fact it isn't remotely in the same class as a Golf?
Yes on the clutch (if it really is as bad as you describe it).But
that you think the Megane isn't in the same "class". What did you expect might be the alternative, a Mercedes C Class?Deva Link said:
Yes on the clutch (if it really is as bad as you describe it).
But that you think the Megane isn't in the same "class". What did you expect might be the alternative, a Mercedes C Class?
Not quite. Focus, Astra, Skoda, Golf. I think you can agree, when someone has a picture of a Golf on their website (and nothing else), you would expect one of those four. How many would expect a Megane? You hire a car for a reason, and sometimes, those reasons include wanting to hire the car you see. It should be more transparent, with a list of their cars and what you are likely to get. What's wrong with that? Had I known, I would have paid an extra £50 for the Toyota Hybrid. Which I will try and upgrade to tomorrow.But
that you think the Megane isn't in the same "class". What did you expect might be the alternative, a Mercedes C Class?One of the local rental companies round here still has pictures of the Mk2 Mondeo and Mk1 Focus in its literature as a indication of size, rather than a catalogue of products. Maybe they have one or two Golfs on their fleet, but if it is a local outfit it will be whatever vehicles they have to hand - either from a local dealer or BCA Fleet disposal place.
For the larger rental companies, it's also more likely that the fleet changes more than the website images which will be manufacturer stock photos.
If you are after a specific car, either with a view to buy or a need such as a photoshoot etc, then let them know in advance. Otherwise you will get what you are given. Also, if you want an upgrade, book something like a Focus Estate which will be a rare car, and they will likely upgrade you to a Vectra/Mondeo or even a Galaxy sized vehicle.
For the larger rental companies, it's also more likely that the fleet changes more than the website images which will be manufacturer stock photos.
If you are after a specific car, either with a view to buy or a need such as a photoshoot etc, then let them know in advance. Otherwise you will get what you are given. Also, if you want an upgrade, book something like a Focus Estate which will be a rare car, and they will likely upgrade you to a Vectra/Mondeo or even a Galaxy sized vehicle.
stuart-b said:
Do you own a Megane?
Of course not, it's not a class that interests me. But just because some cars in the class are considered better than others doesn't stop them being the same type of car in the same class.There is a class for medium sized hatchback. It contains the Megane, Focus, Astra, Golf, 308, etc. The fact that some people think the Golf is some sort of prestige car because it has better plastics doesn't change the fact it remains in that particular class.
In exactly the same way that a Passat is a Mondeo rival and not an Audi A4 rival, the Golf is a Focus and Megane rival and not an Audi A3 rival.
1 said:
The bigger players can be just as bad. I ordered a Passat or similar and assumed I would get a Passast/A4/Mondeo/Vectra etc, they turned up in one of these
Same happens when I need to hire something - ask for a large family diesel, and get a petrol MPV - usually a 1.6 Zafira.When I hire a car for work I choose either ECMN, CDMN or CXMN.
ECMN = "Economy" small hatch - Corsa, Fiesta, Ibiza, 207, Fabia, Clio, etc.
CDMN = "Compact 1.4" - Astra, Golf, Focus, Leon, Octavia, i30, Cee'd, Megane, C4, Auris, etc.
CXMN = "Compact 1.6+" - all of the above but with either a 1.6 or 1.4 turbo engine.
It's reasonable to expect ANY car that fits into that class.
ECMN = "Economy" small hatch - Corsa, Fiesta, Ibiza, 207, Fabia, Clio, etc.
CDMN = "Compact 1.4" - Astra, Golf, Focus, Leon, Octavia, i30, Cee'd, Megane, C4, Auris, etc.
CXMN = "Compact 1.6+" - all of the above but with either a 1.6 or 1.4 turbo engine.
It's reasonable to expect ANY car that fits into that class.
I hired a 2009 Focus TDCI last year, and tbh, I wish it were a megan.... it was awful, poorly built, nasty and not at all pleasant in any way. by contrast my dads pug 307 was a dream... 'class' is a bad way of describing it, is a focus or golf in the same sector as a megan or 307? definitely.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff