What can go wrong?
One of the most common reasons for dissatisfaction when renting a car, especially during the high season is the long queues to the rental car companies. If you have passed that ordeal, nothing can go wrong, right?
1. You don’t get the car model you had hoped for
If you are the least bit interested in cars, you know that some cars are more fun to drive than others. Therefore, expectations are high that the desired model is waiting in the parking lot. However, the mood quickly changes when the car key you have just received reveals otherwise.
2. The settings are in a language you do not master
You start the car and discover that all the information on the screen is in a foreign language you are not completely familiar with. Hopefully, there are icons that facilitate a solution.
3. No washer fluid
For some strange reason, the rain that fell during the night has not made the car cleaner but on the contrary, all the dust has become visible and decorated with small patterns that reveal that there have been some raindrops. Most likely, the car rental company has not replenished washer fluid, citing that it is summer.
4. Dirty car seats
Yogurt, mashed banana or chewing gum? Either way, the visible spots on the driver’s seat become an annoyance and the question why no one has cleaned the seat remains unanswered. Maybe you have a seat cushion with you in your luggage?
5. Impossible to connect the mobile phone with the car
This is (sometimes) not due to ignorance, but simply because the maximum number of bluetooth connections has already been reached. Previous renters have not removed their connections nor has the car company bothered about it, therefore you have to erase Jim’s or Günter’s iPhone to make room for your mobile.
6. The car is not fully refueled
The meter shows that the car is fully refueled, but if the viewer drops a level after a couple of km, it is time to question the car’s fuel consumption or if you have been blown on a few liters of gasoline. (By the way, don’t forget to fill up the car when you return it).
7. The hat shelf hangs loosely
Maybe not the worst thing that can happen but oh so annoying when you close the tailgate and the half-breed hat shelf ends up wrong. If you also have a lot of luggage and would rather not bring it , you must kindly accept that the car rental company does not want anything that hears the car left, but the court must accompany you anyway.
8. Malfunctioning car key
It is a matter of course that you should be able to easily lock and unlock the car from a distance. Pointing the key at the car and pressing 10-15 times because there is a gap in it or the battery is bad, only creates irritation. And irritation does not open car doors.
9. Alarming noise
Strange sounds from the engine, gearbox or anything else that absolutely should not be heard, of course, cause concern. In most cases, the best solution is to request a new car, even if it means driving the car back and also bearing the cost of fuel. The last thing you need, if you want to, is to wait for an assistance car in the blazing sun (or in the middle of the night for that matter).
10. Final invoice
All fees/taxes/extra costs you have not anticipated, reality-based or fictitious that are added, usually never please anyone more than possibly the car rental company.
Well, a parking ticket never makes anyone happy…
Another small annoyance can be finding a parking ticket on your windshield. Not ideal, of course – but don’t worry, paying a ticket in Mallorca is easier than it sounds, check out the guide here.
