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Inspecting your Rental Vehicle – What to look for?

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Inspecting rental car

When you enter into a car rental agreement you are signing a contract that will make you liable for payment when a car is damaged. Whenever you are renting a car you should definitely inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Most reputable rental companies will provide you with a damage report to fill in. If a rental company does not provide this, you should be very cautious about renting from them. So what should you mark on your damage report? We hope the following list is of assistance.

The Exterior:

Check for dents and scratches and mark them in the corresponding area of your damage report. Good practice is to circle the area on the damage report where there is a dent. Place an ‘X’ where there are stone chips and scratches. Use lines to indicate long marks or scratches. It is also good practice to put notes on the damage report explaining what you have marked. It also helps to take a video or photos of what you find. If you do this try and get a shot that shows the  position on the car, not just a close up of the damage. Be thorough with your inspection and ask questions of a company representative if you are not sure what fair wear and tear is.

The Windscreen:

It is important to check the windscreen carefully. Most rental companies deem small stone chips as fair wear and tear. Always make sure you mark any windscreen chips on the damage report using and ‘X’.

The Interior:

Sometimes you might come across damaged interiors in rental cars.  If there is no room on the damage report to mark this, then writing a comment about the interior damage is acceptable. You may want to note things like rips and tears and stains so that you avoid cleaning fees.

Drivability of your vehicle.

Rental cars come in various types, ages and condition. If you have elected to drive an older model car then there may be some things that you have to accept. Things like faded paint and interiors are inevitable on older model rental cars. However, they should always be maintained to roadworthy standards. Things like lights, windscreen wipers, tyres and brakes should be serviceable. So if you notice issues with these, bring them to the attention of your rental company.

Fuel and Kilometres travelled:

Make sure you note the amount of fuel in the car and how many kilometres the car has travelled. This is important where you opt for deals that have limited kilometre usage so that you do not pay for kilometres you did not use. Checking the fuel in the car is important as you do not want to be charged for fuel you did not use.

At Low Cost Car Rentals, we understand that accidents happen which is why we give you a damage report to fill in. We always recommend you take your time with filling in the damage report and take a video or photos of your rental vehicle.

The Positives of Car Hire

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Cheap car rental

There are many good reasons for car hire. The most common would be for someone from out of town who doesn’t have their own vehicle and doesn’t want the restrictions and inconvenience of using public transport. There are some other positives as well and we’ll take a look at some.

Why Buy When You Can Hire?

Maybe you need a specific type of vehicle for a few days or the week or two. There is little point buying a car in a temporary scenario like this. Car hire is the obvious solution. No need to go shopping for a vehicle, paying registration fees and ongoing insurance policies. For one off occasions and circumstances, it really is the simplest solution.

That Special Occasion

Some people hire special cars just for the wedding day. These cars are used to transport the bridal party and other dignitaries. Not everyone getting married has access to modern and nice looking vehicles, so car hire is the tailor made solution.

When friends visit town and you want to drive them around to see the sights, but you only have a small car, then hiring a much bigger car solves this problem. This can also be applied to other special occasions like a milestone birthday party or wedding anniversary. There are many occasions when car hire makes perfect sense.

Impress Your Date

For the guys out there. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you finally landed a date with your dream girl, agreed to pick her up, but are embarrassed about your rambling old car with the engine running rough and flaking paint?

Impress her and make a good first impression by hiring a nice shiny new and modern car. Even if she knows the car is not yours, she’ll be impressed that you went to so much trouble for her and your date with her.

Car Hire can be a Tax Deduction

When it comes to business, car hire is a legitimate tax deduction. You might be travelling for business and need transport when you get on the ground. Even in your home town, perhaps you have a high end client coming to visit and you need a better car to drive them around in to make that all important positive first impression. Car hire solves the problem and can be claimed against tax as well when used for business purposes.

Car Hire Sydney

For good quality but cheap car rental Sydney, come in and see us at Low Cost Car Rentals. We have a good range and great deals for rentals cars Sydney has to offer.

Car Hire Comparison

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Cars for rent - prices compared

It is easier to select the car for rent rather than compare the car hire deals.

When you get a quote from a hire company for Sydney car hire, you just assume that the price on the quote is the price you will pay.

Don’t be fooled by the numbers! Read blow to know what are some of the gotchas with the car rentals prices.

What often happens is that when you picking up or returning the hire car you may be slugged with all manner of extra fees such as:

  • Administration fees
  • Airport levies
  • Registration recovery tax
  • Insurance excess / liability reduction waiver
  • Surcharge for drivers under 25
  • Visa and Mastercard surcharges

Unfortunately, those fees are not uncommon in the car rental industry. When you face these extra hidden costs you have no option but sign the contract and pay it.

Low Cost Car Rentals live up to our reputation and words

But not at Low Cost Car Rentals! When we provide a quote for cheap car rentals, we guarantee there will be absolutely, no hidden costs. All our prices include the default insurance cover and once the full amount paid you can drive away. And you get your credit card bond back as soon as you return the car when meet the simple conditions:

  • the fuel tank is full;
  • the mileage allowance is not exceeded
  • and the car is in the same condition as at the time you had picked it up.

The price per day we tell you in your quote is the total price you will pay for your rental car!

Additional charges may apply for things like:

  • additional drivers;
  • child seats, GPS, handsfree sets or other extras;
  • after hours airport pick up or drop off.

But we let you know this upfront, because we pride ourselves on transparent and honest pricing.

The safety and comfort of our customers is paramount to us, so you can have peace of mind knowing our cars are always safe and reliable. If you have rented our car for long term and noticed it is due for a service or something is worrying you, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us and we will organise a day when you can bring the car for a quick check up or service.

Low Cost Car Rentals Sydney are not the same as other hire car companies. We are a family owned Sydney car rental business with a focus on customer service.

Lastly, we have include a free 24/7 road side assistance to every single car hire. As we want you to be safe on the road and enjoy the trip as much as possible.

We will go the extra mile to make sure your car hire experience is as stress free and economical as possible.

If you need something special, our staff will go out of their way to make sure you get it!

Conclusion

So, no, not all hire car companies are the same. And that is why our customers keep coming back to us at Low Cost Car Rentals Sydney time and time again.

Our fleet includes small, economy cars, sedans, SUV’s and vans.

We will happily organise a quote for you and stay true to our motto. We guarantee that the price we say is the only price you will pay!

Cheaper Holidays without compromising on Car Rentals

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They are plenty of tips to save on car rentals. However saving on each item in your itinerary will not make your holidays better, it will only make it cheaper. The best way to save on holidays is to not be caught in stereotyping.

Obviously the best time to visit Sydney is in summer. It comes with Christmas on the Beach, Santa Clauses in shorts and plenty of Boat Parties and Dinner cruises in the Harbour. This also comes with the price.

Guess what, the Sydney icons such Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Anzac Bridge will not run away as the temperature drops. Did you know that you can save up to 44% on your hotel rentals and up to 61% on the flights by simply visiting Sydney in the less busy time?

Sydney’s beautiful beaches remain just as popular as ever, for coastal walks, whale watching, dining and even swimming — with many outdoor pools heated through the winter months.

And of course, there are boundless activities to be found indoors too, in pubs, wineries and cultural institutions.

Here’s our top 5 best activities to enjoy in Sydney this winter holidays.

1. Climb to the top of the world

A quintessential Sydney experience for tourists and locals alike, the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb is open for winter ascents on Sundays. The air may be crisp but it’s also particularly clear, making those sunsets spectacular. BridgeClimb provides winter woollies to warm those muscles as you climb to one of the best views in the world.

Harbour Bridge view from Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens in Winter

2. Swim outdoors

There’s no need to avoid Sydney’s crystal blue waters and stunning coastal views just because it’s winter. Some of the best swimming pools in Sydney heat their lanes throughout the colder months. Enjoy that stunning view of the Harbour Bridge while swimming laps at North Sydney Pool, next door to the iconic Luna Park. The pool at Prince Alfred Park, next to Central Station, is also heated and has water temperatures set to a comfortable 26C.

3. Take a coastal walk

Get those legs moving and heat back in the body doing the Manly to Spit walk or the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Whether you’re a history buff, beach lover, or simply love nature, there’s something for everyone along the way. From Manly Wharf, the coastal trail winds past Dobroyd Head, one of the walk’s most scenic locations, and onto the military barracks at Bradleys Head.

Manly to Taronga Zoo coastal walk

Manly Beach in Winter

4. Watch some whales

May to November is whale-watching season when thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of NSW to give birth in the warm waters off Queensland. The best places to spot them are from North Head Lookout at Manly and Cape Solander in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. For a view from the water, plenty of cruise companies offer whale watching tours. So grab your binoculars, sit back, relax and enjoy nature’s best show.

Whale watching in Sydney Harbour

Whale watching in Sydney Waters

5. Warm up with winter reds

When it’s very cold outside, sometimes there’s nothing better to do than sit indoors with a warming glass of wine. Take a tour with a winemaker to Hunter Valley or Mudgee, sample a cheese plate at the cellar door, or impress your friends after taking a food and wine pairing class.

What is next?

If you saved too much on your holidays and had enough of relaxing Sydney, may be it is time to go skiing or snowboarding in the busy Sydney areas. Kosciuszko National Park is only 500 km drive from Sydney. You will be transferred from low +20 Celsius to minus something in Perisher or Thredbo. A day of the winter fun can cost as little as $80 pp.

The list of things to do goes on. It is perfect season for hiking. It is not too cold to go camping. Have I mentioned the amount of food and drink festivals? Here it goes and it is not complete:

  • Parramatta Winterlight.
  • Bondi Winter Magic.
  • Bathurst Winter Festival.
  • Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley.
  • Winter Magic Festival, Blue Mountains.
  • Skating At Cathedral Square.
  • Winterfest Sydney Medieval Fair.
The Grounds, Alexandria NSW

The Grounds in Alexandria

Be aware, you might fell in love with Winter Sydney and will want to visit it again… in winter 🙂

To get the best Car Rentals Deal while you are in Sydney please call Low Cost Car Rentals.