Car Hire Warnings & Advice

Safety

Due to the large variance in rental prices, you have no guarantee that your vehicle has undertaken a complete pre-hire safety check prior to you picking up the car. Cheaper car hire prices invariably indicate less time is spent on maintenance and safety aspects than for vehicles that cost just a few dollars more.

At Holiday Rental Cars before any vehicle goes out on hire, we undertake a 21 point safety checklist including Tyres, Brakes, Engine Oil, Water, Battery, Transmission, Lights, etc. Additionally we check Safetybelts, Door handles, Ignition, Locks, Windows, etc.

In the unlikely event you encounter a safety-related problem with your vehicle during the hire, we will have the problem fixed or the vehicle replaced as soon as humanly possible.

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Reliability

Companies offering cheaper rental cars often hire out their vehicles with little or no regular servicing. This means that your hire vehicle has a significantly higher chance of developing mechanical problems. While this might not be a direct safety concern, a breakdown could waste precious time and really ruin your holiday.

In addition to the 21 point safety check before every hire, Holiday Rental Cars also ensures all vehicles undertake an independent 6 month certificate of fitness check from a government run testing station. All scheduled oil and engine maintenance is undertaken on or before the required service kilometers are reached. Typically our vehicles do not exceed 100,000 KM and never exceed 140,000 KM before we remove them from our hire fleet.

Vehicles are given oil change every 10,000-14,000 kms. All aspects of vehicle maintenance are inspected at this time. Higher mileage vehicles are occasionally available upon request.

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Vehicle Condition and Comfort

New Zealand rental cars are typically older model japanese imports (sometimes as old as 20 years !). Some companies will allow their vehicles to run huge mileages before replacement (sometimes 300,000kms and beyond !)

Holiday Rental vehicles are very tidy with lower mileages than most comparable vehicles from similarly priced rental companies. We repair all major scratches, dents, bumps and cracks to keep our vehicles looking and running great!

Some companies may offer vehicles as old as 20 years with odometer readings of 300,000kms or beyond. Our vehicles are typically 5-10 years old with odometer readings of 20,000-100,000kms.

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Vehicle Damage Charges

Numerous rental operators may try to charge you for damage to the vehicle you have hired when some or all of this damage was on the vehicle before your hire commenced.

When you hire from Holiday Rental Cars , we inspect the vehicle together with you the customer before you take it away. When you return, there is no dispute regarding the condition of the vehicle therefore no unexpected charges.

Vehicles returned with new damaged will be sent to a local repair company for a quotation. (or can be taken for a quote by the customer to a repairer of their choice before completion of the hire)

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Customer Service

No one likes to be treated like just another number in the queue.

Holiday Rental Cars prides itself in customer service. We regularly go out of our way to help customers with any special requests or requirements. Our staff are knowledgable, friendly and helpful.

Just let us know if you have any special requirements or if there is anything we can do to help make your trip more comfortable or enjoyable.

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Prompt, Efficient Service

With tight economic times, many rental car companies are cutting down on staff meaninig that customers can have to wait in a queue to be served.

Holiday Rental Cars provides a prompt and efficient service from airport pickup to streamlined signup and vehicle inspection.

Corporate and regular customers enjoy the benefit of having the rental contract ready and filled in awaiting customer signature.

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Getting what you ordered

Many rental companies will overbook their rental fleets to ensure higher fleet utilisation. If all customers arrive as expected, someone may have to be turned away without compensation.

At Holiday Rental Cars we do not overbook our fleet and can guarantee that you get the vehicle you ordered or a better vehicle.

If for any reason you are unhappy, we are happy to discuss alternative options.

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Hidden Fees (insurance, GST, km charges)

With some companies, what you are quoted is not what you pay. Prices quoted may exclude numerous, previously unmentioned additional costs such as compulsory insurance, GST (Tax), diesel tax, kilometer charges, etc.

At Holiday Rental Cars , we offer quotes with no hidden costs . Insurance, GST (Tax) diesel tax and kilometer charges are included in your quotation.

Quotes exclude optional extras such as additional insurances, snow chains, ski racks and child safety seats and transfer fees.

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Travel Advice

Some rental companies will hire inexperienced staff with little or no knowledge of New Zealand travel. Most rental companies do not provide travel informaion training for staff.

The staff at Holiday Rental Cars are trained and have a good knowledge of the local area and New Zealand travel. We can give you advice and maps to help get you on your way.

All you have to do is ask !!!

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Getting to the Depot

It can be hard in a foreign city to get around. Many rental car companies expect you to find your own way to their depot to pickup your rental.

Holiday Rental Cars offer transfer services from Airport/City/Ferry in most cities
(in many cases these services are FREE!)

If you prefer we can also provide information about public transportation on request.

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Further Information

See our Hiring Information page for additional information

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If you have any questions, please use our Contact Us page.