Essential information for hiring a vehicle

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Vehicle rental is a popular option these days for those who either need a more reliable vehicle for a trip or who need a van to transport goods. There are a few points that all those who hire vehicles need to be aware of before they begin. Insurance restrictions on these vehicles mean that there are age limits for hire. The minimum age for hiring a vehicle with some organisations is 25, and the maximum is usually around 74.

Most prices quoted are inclusive of any extras, such as VAT, the cost of insurance and unlimited mileage, although refuelling while the vehicle is on hire is the responsibility of the person hiring. It is possible to add extra drivers onto the hire agreement, but they must have a full driving licence.

In order to collect a vehicle there are several pieces of documentation required. These are a driving licence and two different pieces of ID (a utility bill or bank statement that is less than three months old is fine). All addresses on each piece of documentation must match.

When the vehicle is collected, it will have a full tank of fuel; it should be returned in a similar condition. Those who book a rental vehicle and then need to cancel will receive a refund if they have given enough notice, which is usually a period of seven days. When less notice is given there are usually charges made, and there are certain types of vehicles for which no refund is given.

BMW X3

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The BMW X3 is certainly a symbol of elegance. Before even stepping inside the car the design is an instant hit. It is aesthetically pleasing, which does not end once inside. Only the highest quality materials have been used to manufacture this model, and safety has been an important factor. The raised driver’s seat gives the driver a better view of his surroundings and therefore better control of situations. There is also so much extra room inside. Storage space can be adjusted in seconds from 480-litre capacity to 1,560 litres. Optional storage compartments, luggage nets and parcel rails make this the ideal car for getting away in style.

The mechanics of the model should not be missed out. The engine is a very high performance six cylinder in-line that runs surprisingly quietly, even at fast acceleration. The diesel engine offers very economical fuel consumption, which is a must for anyone who is looking for good value for money on his or her running costs.

The car drives like a dream. It has an even weight distribution between each axle as a way to ensure superior driving stability. Features such as the xDrive all-wheel drive system, driver assistant and a variety of transmissions all work in unison to ensure that the car has better traction on all surfaces.

Safety features include the highest passenger protection due to the side panels being separately reinforced. This means that if an impact occurs the force is absorbed by one defined area. Seat safety systems and airbags are all important safety features of the BMW X3.

BMW X5

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The BMW X5 was debuted at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show and a new SAV has been launched as part of the range. Extras that can be specified include active steering to ensure maximum manoeuvrability and, for additional safety, the vehicle has run-flat tyres. In the event of a puncture the driver can continue on safely for up to 90 miles at speeds of no more than 50mph. To make it practical for the larger family, it has a third row of seats so that the vehicle can accommodate seven people.

This particular model has one of the most advanced engines available. Customers have a choice of three units and all of these have increased power levels over those included in previous models of the X5. They also have more economical fuel consumption and a reduction in emissions.

The vehicle has a six speed automatic gearbox and is fitted with a new torque converter that has new software, meaning that shifting gear is up to 50% quicker than on previous models. The gear stick design has been altered to give more room in the centre console so that more storage and the ever-essential cup holders could be added. For even more space the manual hand brake has been replaced with an electric one.

The car has adaptive drive, which uses hydraulic anti-roll bars so that the vehicle will not lean too much, and there is also an electronic damper control fitted, which will automatically detect and adjust damper settings.

BMW 7 Series

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The fifth generation BMW 7 Series was officially launched in 2008. The aim with this vehicle was to set a new standard in luxury saloon cars. The car has been given a very contemporary styling and it has a luxury interior as well as standard equipment that is far beyond that of the other vehicles in the range. Both driver and passenger will feel very comfortable in this car.

The car also showcases the commitment that BMW has to an excellent standard of engineering and will set a new standard for other BMW models to follow.

Standard equipment on the BMW 7 Series includes the Drive Dynamic Control, a top of the range multimedia navigation system with media storage and hard-disc, a hi-fi loudspeaker system, air conditioning with automatic features, four zone control for the comfort of all the occupants of the vehicle, ambient lighting, and exterior mirrors which will fold and automatically dim. In addition the passenger airbag can be deactivated if required.

The roof, side panels and bonnet of the car is made from aluminium, as this is a lightweight material and fits the engineering requirements of the brand. There are other features that help to cut down on fuel consumption and reduce emissions levels for a more environmentally friendly vehicle. The car uses Brake Energy Regeneration technology, which will help to charge the battery, and many of the systems of the car are able to disengage when not needed in order to improve the vehicle’s efficiency.

BMW 1 Series

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Those who are interested in a new car with a sporty edge could try the BMW 1 Series. This is considered to offer a top quality driving experience that makes the most of the excellent BMW engineering. The cars come with either petrol or diesel engines and have been designed to offer the best in performance. There are many different options available for the driver, which ensure that the car ordered meets all the requirements.

The model is rear wheel drive, which gives it great road holding ability, and the cars have won a number of awards. The coupe version of the car has the lowest CO2 emissions of any other cars in its class. There is a convertible option that has a roof that is fully retractable. The roof can be retracted in 22 seconds, making it very easy to access the warmth of summer. There is a choice of both automatic and manual transmission on the models.

Car shopping can be a long and laborious task so it is always a good idea to go to a dealership that has specialist knowledge of the desired make and model of car. They will be able to offer good deals and tell the purchaser everything they need to know about the different options for the cars. A new car is a major purchase and every detail needs to be taken into consideration before the final decision is made. If the BMW 1 Series is not to the liking of the purchaser, there are many other models of car that can be considered.

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The MINI Coupe

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The MINI Coupe is a two-seater car which has plenty of boot space and which the owner can have customised to suit their needs. The aim of this new model is to make the most of the driving experience. It can offer a high level of agility when compared with other small cars, and it is a good demonstration of MINI’s commitment to top levels of quality and accessories. Small cars are very fashionable at the moment and are ideal for fuel efficiency and getting around town.

The handling of the MINI Coupe is excellent, with electric power steering and a strong braking system. The roof shape is unique and it has been designed to offer good aerodynamic qualities to the vehicle. This works alongside the spoiler to ensure better airflow when driving faster.

The car has a high opening tailgate, which ensures that there is plenty of space in the boot, making this a good choice for the everyday needs of the driver. There is a DAB digital radio included in the vehicle, parking distance control features, alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and sporty stripes on the exterior of the vehicle.

There are four different engine types available on this car: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and John Cooper Works. The Cooper has 122 hp, while the John Cooper Works has 211 hp. The cars all have the MINIMALISM technologies as part of the model, which ensure that drivers can get the most out of every tank of petrol.

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Why Is the Used Car Market in Scotland on The Up?

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The auto industry as a whole has undergone significant changes since the onset of the global recession in 2007. The primary reason is that buying a car or truck really is discretionary, most people don’t have to buy one because whatever it is that they’re currently driving has no more service life left in it, the vast majority of vehicle buyers make the decision to do it because they want something better than what they have. This is why new car sales have traditionally been strong and Scotland is no different in this respect.

However, along with the global economic decline came a number of well-publicised auto manufacturer bankruptcies that shook the entire industry as a whole. People lost confidence in manufacturers, sales fell and auto-makers responded in kind by slashing production numbers. Rising petrol prices also meant that it was primarily larger vehicles that bore the brunt of the production cuts.

One consequence of manufacturer cuts is that lower production and availability of new cars has meant a raise in prices for new cars and trucks. People simply have to pay more in a declining economy where natural market dynamics should have people paying less.

So the higher cost of new cars means that owners today are taking better care of the vehicles that they have, which in turn means better quality vehicles are making their way to the used car market in Scotland.

Falling global petrol prices are also having an impact as well. All those large trucks and SUVs that the new car dealers took in as trade-ins and then sent off to the auto auctions have been fading away on car lots. Perfectly good late model, low mileage vehicles that are often loaded with extras are stuck sitting on used car lots because nobody wants to get stuck paying the money that it takes to fill the petrol tanks. So now with the economy slowly nudging its way up and construction in particular beginning to pick up as well, business owners are now snapping up the large trucks; trucks that aren’t so expensive to fill up now.

The upswing of the economy has also had an impact on small to midsize used car sales in Scotland. People now have more money to spend and with the price of a new vehicle still high, people who in the past may have bought a new vehicle are now taking the used option. They’re also finding that when they do this, the vehicles are in better condition as well from the better care and maintenance they’ve been receiving from the previous owners.

So it’s a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers in the Scottish used car market over the last year. A trend that is expected to continue by more dealers offering in-house financing that makes buying a used car or truck easier for people with challenged credit.

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Airbags in Cars

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Airbags have been hailed as one of the major safety developments in the auto industry and there are many reasons for this. They were first developed and added to the driver’s side of the car and then carmakers developed airbags for the passenger side. In the event of a collision, the airbags deploy and the driver and passenger are protected from impact, thus helping to protect them from serious injury. When used in combination with seat belts, those involved in accidents now have a better chance of avoiding injury.

Traditionally these have been placed in front of the driver and passenger, but side impacts are common and now there are models that have side airbags, which inflate when the vehicle is hit from the side, again reducing the possibility of injury caused by the impact. Reducing death and injury on the roads is an important consideration for both governments and car manufacturers, and an increasing number of manufacturers are including the side airbags to give this additional protection.

This particular innovation has been quick to catch on and more people buying cars will now choose a model with an airbag, for the peace of mind that it provides. No one wants to take risks with their own lives or those of their families and will do everything that they are able to in order to protect them. Having airbags in a car does not suddenly make the price leap, so choosing a model with airbags is the sensible thing to do.

Is Hiring a Car the Answer to an Improved Standard of Living?

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While hiring a car or van whilst on holiday is a common occurrence, few people ever consider the idea of hiring a car or van for home use. Few people ever used to consider the idea, but that is now changing. As the economy continues to fail, more and more people are taking to the idea of car-sharing clubs, where cars can be rented for as little as 30 minutes or as long as six months.

There are many advantages to hiring a car for regular home use. For one, the overheads associated with car ownership are greatly reduced. For another, the issue of depreciation is side stepped. Everyone knows that once a car is driven off the forecourt, the value immediately depreciates. This means that the owner must keep the car for at least a few years in order to get any kind of value for money. With car hire, depreciation and value are simply not an issue. Finally, with a car hire scheme, the driver is always able to afford a modern car. No more hanging on to an older car because one doesn’t want or cannot afford the associated payments.

Vans are also a worth consideration for hire during non-holiday times. In particular, hiring a van during times when DIY is being performed can be both cost efficient and convenient. Another good reason to hire a van is for moving. Hiring a van and moving yourself can save lots of money over hiring a traditional moving company to do it for you.

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Motor Company Adds Front Centre Airbag to Some 2013 Cars

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A top motor company has recently announced a front centre airbag to be introduced into its 2013 models that include power adjustable seats.

The new airbag is a tubular restraint tethered to the inside of the driver’s seat and deploys between the two front seats. The idea is to provide additional protection to a front passenger when a far side collision has occurred on the opposite side of the vehicle from which they are sitting. The new airbag is also said to provide additional protection in the event of a roll over situation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System database, in the years between 2004 and 2009, far side impacts (non-roll over events) accounted for approximately 11% of front occupant fatalities in instances when passengers were wearing their seat belts.

“While no restraint technology can address all body regions or all potential injuries, the front centre air bag is designed to work with the other airbags and safety belts in the vehicles to collectively deliver an even more comprehensive occupant restraint system,” Gay Kent, the motor company executive director of vehicle safety and crashworthiness, said.

“No other airbag in passenger vehicles today offers the type of restraint and cushioning this air bag is designed to provide for front occupants,” added Scott Thomas, the company’s senior staff engineer in advanced restraint systems.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the new front centre airbag, which was designed in partnership with a technology supplier over the period of three years, has great potential for saving lives.