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It is easy to get carried away with the excitement of booking a holiday, picking up your hire car from the airport and forgetting to make basic checks on the vehicle. Below are ten tips to remember when you hire a car from the airport:

1. Car hire breakdown cover

As silly as it seems, t he vast majority of holidaymakers drive away from the car hire garage without checking details of breakdown cover. Make sure you are aware of the emergency number or breakdown number you have to call in case of breakdown and make sure there is credit on your mobile before you leave the airport car hire depot.

2. Check the tyres at the car hire garage

Dangerous tyres can cause breakdowns before you even get to your holiday hotel. Check the tyre pressure and tread are correct before you leave the car hire garage. Not only can underinflated tyres cause accidents, but you can also be fined by the police.

3. Check the fuel on your rental car

You need to check what the rules and regulations are regarding fuel with your car hire company. If it leaves the car hire depot, half full, do you bring it back half full, or do you need to make sure the tank is full before you drop it off? Whatever the rules are, make sure you have more than enough fuel to reach your holiday destination before leaving the airport, and make sure you know which type of fuel to put in the tank.

4. Local laws and car hire

Every country has different rules about what you should do in case of breakdown. In Spain, for example, you have to carry 2 red emergency triangles in your car to place in front and behind your vehicle in case of breakdown. You must also carry a luminous waistcoat to put on if your vehicle breaks down so you are easily visible by other vehicles. If you don´t carry these things and you break down, the responsibility lies with you and not the car hire company. Check with your car hire company about the laws of the land you are visiting, regarding car hire breakdown. It is also useful to carry a 5 gallon water container in case your car overheats.

5. Winter car hire tips

If you intend to pre-book a hire car in winter, in a destination where conditions are likely to be bad, such as Switzerland and Austria, take precautions. In addition to breakdown cover, make sure you have anti-freeze, a tow-rope, a torch, an emergency triangle, snow chains and maps.

6. Check the hire car yourself

When you hire a car from the airport, check the vehicle for scratches and dents. The car hire company will make a check of these things before you drive away, so make one yourself, to ensure you don´t get the blame for any previous damage when you return the hire car to the airport.

7. Check your hire car brakes

As soon as you drive your hire car, check the brakes. Most airports are situated close to motorways, so it is no good finding out too late that the brakes don´t work. If you feel the brakes are not up to scratch, or not sharp enough, inform the car hire company before you leave the airport.

8. Rental car oil check

Oil in a hire car is essential to keep the engine running smoothly. Oil should be topped up and changed regularly, so ask the car hire company if this is the case, or check the oil yourself.

9. Car hire water levels

Make sure water levels are correct in your hire car before leaving the airport, and ensure the windscreen washer is full.

10. Hire car lights

Not only do you need to check where the controls are for the lights and indicators, but make sure they are working properly and that they are clean. Not only is it dangerous to drive with a broken headlight or tail light, but the police can stop you and impose a hefty fine.