Hiring a vehicle often starts with a simple question: “What can I get?” A better place to start is usually, “What do I actually need it to do?”
The number of passengers, the distance you are travelling, how much you need to carry and how long you need the vehicle can all affect which option makes the most sense. At Mercury Rent-A-Car, helping customers work through those details is an important part of finding a suitable car, van or commercial vehicle.
Start with the journey, not the vehicle
It can be tempting to choose a vehicle based purely on size or price, but thinking about the whole journey first can prevent problems later.
A small car might be ideal for one person travelling to a business meeting, while a family holiday may call for more passenger and luggage space. Someone collecting furniture will have completely different requirements from a tradesperson transporting tools and materials.
Mercury offers a varied fleet, including cars, vans, commercial vehicles and minibuses, giving customers the option to choose according to what the journey actually involves.
Think about how long you really need it
The length of the hire can make just as much difference as the type of vehicle.
A customer moving furniture may only need a van for a day. A company taking on a temporary contract, however, could require an additional vehicle for several months.
This is where Mercury’s different rental options become useful. Short-term hire can cover one-off requirements, while Flexi-Rent is designed for businesses that need vehicles for a longer period without committing to contract hire or purchasing them outright. For example, a business waiting for a new company van to arrive could use Flexi-Rent as an interim solution rather than making a rushed purchase.
Consider where the journey finishes
Not every trip ends where it started.
Sometimes a customer needs to travel across the country, reach an airport or complete a journey without bringing the vehicle all the way back to the original location.
As a licensee of United Rental Group, Mercury Rent-A-Car is connected to a network of more than 140 rental locations across the UK. This enables one-way hire to be arranged to many destinations, subject to availability and notice. For the right journey, that can remove an unnecessary return trip and make the overall travel plan much simpler.
Leave room for the unexpected
Even a well-planned journey can change. Vehicle problems, delays or accidents can quickly affect work or personal plans, so support during the rental period matters too.
Mercury provides breakdown cover with its rental vehicles, giving customers help if something goes wrong while they are on the road. For professional drivers, Mercury also provides accident replacement services. Taxi drivers, for example, may depend on their vehicle for their income, so getting a suitable replacement quickly can be particularly important.
The company can also manage aspects of the accident process and liaise with insurers, allowing the driver to concentrate on getting back to work.
Business transport does not always stay predictable
Companies often have changing transport requirements. A new employee may start before their company car arrives, a temporary project might require another van, or an existing fleet vehicle could be unavailable for repairs.
Buying another vehicle for a temporary need may not always make financial sense. Through options such as Flexi-Rent, businesses can add cars or commercial vehicles when they need them and avoid taking on a long-term commitment for a requirement that may only last a few months.
Servicing, maintenance and road tax are also included within the Flexi-Rent service, reducing some of the additional tasks that come with operating another vehicle.
Making vehicle hire fit the situation
The most suitable hire is not necessarily the biggest vehicle or the longest rental period. It is the one that fits the journey, workload and timescale.
From a car for a short trip to additional vans for a business project, Mercury Rent-A-Car offers a range of options for customers across the Midlands and further afield.
If you are unsure which vehicle or type of rental would suit your plans, contact Mercury Rent-A-Car on 01283 539 123 to discuss what you need and check availability.