Europcar offers tips for stress-free rental as the average age of cars on UK roads moves upwards
As YouGov research reveals one in five Brits (19%) plan to holiday in the UK this year, the question is whether the family car will be up to a long distance drive for the summer staycation. With SMMT data reporting that 45.7% of the UK car parc was aged over 10 years in 2025, and the average car is 9.7 years old, vehicle reliability could be a big concern as families start packing for the holiday journey.
The other challenge for the summer get-away is that the family vehicle that’s fine for getting to work, the shops or school doesn’t have the capacity for all the luggage, bikes, games and pets– as well as granny and grandad.
Renting a car that’s fit for purpose for the family get-away could be the answer which is why Europcar is providing top tips on how to have the best rental experience this summer.
Getting the booking right
- Flexibility could deliver significant savings – so it’s worth checking multiple dates, times and vehicle size options to find the best price
- Know what you’re paying for – check what is and is not included in the rate quoted up front
- What are the extras – are there additional booking fees, excess waiver charges in case of damage, post-rental cleaning fees or excess mileage charges?
Picking up the vehicle
- Don’t forget to take your driving licence and DVLA Share code when you collect the vehicle
- You will also need to bring a payment card in the lead driver’s name for the security deposit. Check the rental company’s terms and conditions regarding whether they accept debit cards; some don’t for Premium vehicles
- At pick up, check the vehicle condition carefully and take photos to compare with end of rental photos – tell staff if you spot any damage not detailed in the rental paperwork
On the journey
- If your journey includes toll roads or paid parking, remember to pay any applicable charges in line with local requirements
- Keep important contact details somewhere easy to find in case of an emergency – breakdown or accident assistance, the rental station where the vehicle was collected. Europcar’s Assistance App makes that easy
Returning the vehicle
- Fill up the vehicle – or charge it up if it’s an EV – as near to the rental station as possible
- When you return the car, double check you’ve got all your belongings and haven’t left rubbish or mess in the vehicle that would take longer than usual to clean
- Do a thorough walk-around of the vehicle before handing back the keys and take photos to compare with the start of rental photos
- Tell the rental staff if there is any new damage