What to look for in a long-term car rental

Renting for several months is a different decision from renting for a weekend. Small differences in terms add up over a long rental.

The car itself

Ask for photos of the actual car, its year and odometer reading, and whether it has been serviced recently. Over a long rental you will also want to know who arranges servicing and what happens if the car is off the road.

The full cost, not the headline rate

Ask for the total cost across your whole rental, including any bond, fees, tolls, fuel and additional drivers. A clear rate is more useful than a low rate with unclear extras.

Flexibility

Ask what notice is needed to end the rental, whether the car can be swapped, and whether you can extend. Get the answers in writing.

Your licence and timing

If your driver licence was issued overseas, check how long you may drive in NSW. Service NSW publishes the current rules, and the period usually runs from the day you arrive, not the day you rent. Make sure any rental fits inside it.