Spanish Airport Car Hire - 10 Point Check List

I read this in the Sunday Times this weekend and thought it is a little excessive but actually full of good information, especially when things go wrong.

1. Never return a car without a full tank. Keep the receipt and get a member of staff to sign it when returning the car.

2. Allow plenty of time for inspections both when picking up a car and when handing it back.

3. Inspect the car carefully in the presence of a member of staff at the beginning and end of the rental. Make a comprehensive note of the result - preferably on the hire form and any documentation handed over at the end of the rental period - and get it countersigned by a member of staff.

4. If staff refuse to examine the car with you, or to sign the findings - or the office is closed - make a detailed record of your own findings.

5. Phone ahead to check whether the office will be open and properly staffed before picking up or returning the car. Note what is said and record the time of the call. Under some contracts, the car is your responsibility until the keys are handed over, so try to turn up in office hours. If this is impossible, get advice from the company about how to minimize potential problems.

6. At the pick-up and drop-off points, take photos or a video of the car from all angles, plus the petrol gauge. if possible this should be done with a digital camera set to local time, using the highest possible resolution.

7. Carry a disposable camera in the glove compartment for use if you have an accident.

8. Where possible, book the car before leaving the UK and use a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (www.bvrla.co.uk or 01494 434 499). The BVRLA runs a conciliation service for complaints arising from bookings made in the UK with one of its 600 members.

9. Before hiring your next car, read the BVRLA´s Consumer Guide to Renting a Vehicle, which can be downloaded from the website or obtained from BVRLA River Lodge, Badminton Court, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 0DD.

10. If money is withdrawn from your credit card account for no good reason, ask your card issuer to help you get it back - or to refund the money. The credit card company bears equally responsibility in law with the car hire company for making good your loss, provided the total package cost more than 100 gbp and you paid for it with