Ex-car rentals, where do they sell them?

rosemalin

Just wondering what is done with former rented-cars? Are they sold to the public? Is there a special auction?
Cheers

Atlantic Dawn

I think Bolands in Waterford sold on some of the ex rental stuff they had previously sold from new to the rental company, not sure if this still goes on or not.

Justjens

Think Merlin had an auction of fleet cars from Hertz a month or so ago.

Magown3

Justjens wrote: »

Think Merlin had an auction of fleet cars from Hertz a month or so ago.

Not Merlin, eauctions

rosemalin

Thanks all, will look into it

CiniO

To be honest I would probably do everything to avoid buying ex-rental car.

Nissan doctor

Rental cars a very poorly maintained in this country, I've been involved in servicing for several companies in the past and all they have done are oil changes and the cheapest tyres you have when they're needed. They don't get any other periodic maintenance done.

Also most people tend not to be very sympathetic to a rental when they have one so IMO and ex rental is very often not a good buy.

ninty9er

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Rental cars a very poorly maintained in this country, I've been involved in servicing for several companies in the past and all they have done are oil changes and the cheapest tyres you have when they're needed. They don't get any other periodic maintenance done.

Also most people tend not to be very sympathetic to a rental when they have one so IMO and ex rental is very often not a good buy.

It really does depend. Many of these cars are only 6 months old, so the maintenance schedule isn't a huge issue

johnos1984

They also tend to be the most basic unappealling cars known to man.

I talk to a QA inspector for the Auris production line in the Uk and he keeps asking why we love our Auris's to be without aircon or without any desirable extras

Melion

My ex got a Punto from Auto Exchange in 2009, it was an ex-rental which she wasnt told at the time. I only realised it one day while i was driving because you could see the mark where the Hertz sticker had been on the back window.

CiniO

johnos1984 wrote: »

They also tend to be the most basic unappealling cars known to man.

I talk to a QA inspector for the Auris production line in the Uk and he keeps asking why we love our Auris's to be without aircon or without any desirable extras

Aircon in Ireland is not of much use anyway.
This summer I used mine maybe two or 3 times.

johnos1984

CiniO wrote: »

Aircon in Ireland is not of much use anyway.
This summer I used mine maybe two or 3 times.

I find it very useful and wouldn't have a car without it

lifer_sean

To answer original question, most of the 6-12 month old rentals are leased from main dealers, and are returned to the main dealers for retail sale. If you look at 11-reg cars at your local main dealer this time of year, chances are most are ex-rental. Some dealers are upfront and openly advertise them - look for "the fleet is back" banners in their adverts in the local papers. Some pretend they are ex-demos - the tax book may have the dealer name down as owner, appearing to confirm this story.

The older hire cars (3-4 years old) are typically sold off through the auctions or wholesalers. Merlin had a Saturday auction with mainly ex-hire (Budget car hire ?) about two weeks ago. These ones tend to have earned their keep.

naughtysmurf

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Rental cars a very poorly maintained in this country, I've been involved in servicing for several companies in the past and all they have done are oil changes and the cheapest tyres you have when they're needed. They don't get any other periodic maintenance done.

Also most people tend not to be very sympathetic to a rental when they have one so IMO and ex rental is very often not a good buy.

Depends really, I've worked in the car rental biz in the past. The rental companies do lean towards screwing the customer for any damage, inside or out, a lot of customers know this and are paranoid about returning a car in the same condition they get it, I know I am when I hire them.

I bought a 6 month old ex summer rental with 11k on the clock, gave me 11yrs trouble free motoring.

If your looking for an 11 reg, they will all still have manufactures warranty, wouldn't go for more than a one season ex rental though

Squall19

johnos1984 wrote: »

I find it very useful and wouldn't have a car without it

Me too, to warm up:)

Nissan doctor

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Depends really, I've worked in the car rental biz in the past. The rental companies do lean towards screwing the customer for any damage, inside or out, a lot of customers know this and are paranoid about returning a car in the same condition they get it, I know I am when I hire them.

I bought a 6 month old ex summer rental with 11k on the clock, gave me 11yrs trouble free motoring.

If your looking for an 11 reg, they will all still have manufactures warranty, wouldn't go for more than a one season ex rental though

I'm not talking about visible damage, driving a car hard will leave no external signs for any rental company to see when you hand it back but may well reduce the life of the engine/transmission for future buyers.

johnos1984

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I'm not talking about visible damage, driving a car hard will leave no external signs for any rental company to see when you hand it back but may well reduce the life of the engine/transmission for future buyers.

The fastest car in the world is a rental as far as I'm concerned

dr.fuzzenstein

johnos1984 wrote: »

The fastest car in the world is a rental as far as I'm concerned

That's white vans you're thinking about! No matter what you drive and how fast you're going, there's always one trying to overtake.
The basic equipment shouldn't be a problem here, sure we love non-metallic paint, steel wheels, no aircon (but agree, useless here unless you're a penguin), cassette radios, cruise control is the devils work, sat navs only cause trouble, same goes for heated seats, color coded bumpers, fog lights (except at the back to blind the guy behind you), sure all we need is a St Anthony medal and a Padre Pio sticker.
It's only going to rot in the drive anyway, to have the sh*t driven out of it without servicing so we can all moan about what a lemon we where sold!:D