How The Camper Van Hire Works

Booking is Easy

Call us on 07717 052 542 or send an email to info@vwretrorentals.co.uk

1. Select a camper
2. Check to see if your dates are available (either by looking at the availability calendar online, email or phone)
3. Tell us about any extras (insurance or camper) that you might like
4. Pay a £150 deposit (or payment in full if booking within 6 weeks of the hire date)
5. Receive confirmation
6. Pay the balance when it is due (if applicable)
7. Arrange a mutually convenient time to collect and return the camper
   
   Please note For hire dates less than 6 weeks in advance, payment needs to be made in full around the time of booking. Subject to availability, it may be possible to book a camper within 24 hours of departure

 

Hire Periods

There is a minimum hire rate of three days (regardless of hire length).

(White Vans can be hired from 4 hours upwards. Special discounted rates are available for hires of 2 nights or more).

 

Booking Deposit

There is a non-refundable booking deposit of £150 to secure your camper on your chosen dates. A reservation is only binding once the deposit has been received and we have confirmed your booking in writing. Unfortunately due to the popularity of the campers, we are not usually able to transfer booking deposits to alternative dates should you need to change your hire period. 

 

Balance Payments

The balance payment (total hire cost less deposit) is due 6 weeks before the start of your hire. Once we have received your deposit we will send you a balance invoice.

 

Collection & Return

Flexbility
There are no set collection and return days as we try to be flexible and accommodate as many requests as possible. We are also happy to offer collection and return times that are out of normal office hours by arrangement. The only exception for weekly hires which need to end on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night only.

Our business phone is usually on between the hours of 8am and 7pm daily and we have an emergency mobile number in case of breakdowns / problems that is on 24/7. Emails are checked regularly throughout the day and replied to promptly.

Times
Please be aware that as we are a family run business, collection times need to be staggered on days when more than one camper is going out and available pick-up time slots are allocated on a first booked first choice basis.

 

Hire Lengths & Prices

Our aim is to offer value for money and maximum enjoyment for the hirer. Getting up (sometimes) really early on the last hire day just to make sure that the camper is returned on time by 10.30am isn't very enjoyable and neither is needing to take a full day off, but having to wait around until later in the day before being able to get going.

The extended return times and early collection slots shown below are unique to VW Retro Rentals and offer maximum hire time, without the need to rush or feel under pressure to get to your destination.

Weekend Hires
The 3 day Weekend Hire Rate is from either Friday til Sunday or Saturaday til Monday evening.

The 4 day Weekend Hire Rate is from Thursday til Sunday or Friday til Monday evening.

Note: Campers may also be hired for just Saturday and Sunday (i.e. 2 Days), but the 3 day rate will be applied.

The collection time slots on are: 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm & after 6.30pm.

Mid-Week Hires
The FULL Mid-Week Hire rate is from Tuesday morning until Thursday evening.

Campers can be collected from 9.30am on Tuesday and kept until 8pm on Thursday. Note, it may also be possible to book a Monday - Wednesday / Thursday mid-week hire also depending on the booking schedule.

Weekly Hires
The FULL Weekly Hire rate is for 6 Nights / 7 Full Days. Weekly Hires start on any Weekday (i.e. not Saturday or Sunday unless by special arrangement) and run from 9.30am until 8pm.

The collection time slots for weekly hires are: 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm & after 6.30pm. The return time is before 8pm.

As a guide:

Collection Slots - Choose From: 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm and after 6.30pm
WE DO NOT ALLOW RETURNS ON A SATURDAY
Hire Type	No. Days	Possible Pick-up Days
		Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Midweek	3 Days
	4 Days
Weekend	3 Days
	4 Days
More than 4 days	5 Days
	6 Days
	7 Days
More than 7 Days	7 Days+	Start any day of the week, but must finish on a Mon, Tue, Wed or Thur if possible

 

Other Hires

Collection and return times for other hire lengths can usually be tailored to suit individual requirements to accommodate various Festival dates, ferry crossing times and personal itineraries.

On collection:
we will familiarise you with your van, accompany you on a short practice drive if needed, help you load your luggage into the van and complete all the necessary paperwork in our comfortable office. You will check the condition of the vehicle and inventory. Please allow sufficient time for this handover process (at least 45 minutes).

On return:
we will check the van for cleanliness, contents and condition and calculate any additional mileage costs. Providing that the van is returned in the same condition that it was let out (subject to fair wear and tear), with the same level of fuel, on time and on the agreed date your security deposit will be returned in full less any extra mileage costs to pay. A representative from VW Retro Rentals will provide a record showing agreed defects.

Late delivery may invalidate your insurance and you may be prosecuted for driving whilst uninsured. Failure to return the campervan in a satisfactory condition or on time (without prior agreement with VW Retro Rentals) will result in a deduction from your security deposit at a rate of £30 per hour or part thereof for late returns and a £30 cleaning fee.

Please allow sufficient time to get back to our offices so that you do not push the van too hard trying to get back in a hurry.

If at any time we have agreed that you may return the vehicle to a place other than our depot, out of office hours, or if we have agreed to collect it, you will remain fully responsible for the vehicle until the office re-opens for business or it is collected by us.

No refund is given for early return of the vehicle.

 

Car Storage & Collection Service

You are able to leave your car at our office during your hire period free of charge. Although we are situated up a private drive and security risks are minimal, any vehicle will be parked at your own risk and responsibility.

We are able to offer a collection service (currently up to four people) from Birmingham airport, Birmingham International Station, Hagley Station, Barnt Green Station or Kidderminster Station at extra cost (please enquire).

 

Insurance & Drivers

The hire price includes standard insurance for one driver who is between the ages of 25 and 70, has a maximum of 3 points on their driving licence and has held a UK or EU driving licence for at least 2 years. It may be possible to cover other drivers who do not qualify for standard insurance (e.g. have more points on their licence, are under 25 etc) subject to additional terms which must be approved with the insurers prior to hire. We can also arrange insurance for European travel on request.

Additional drivers (up to 2 maximum) who are over 25 years and have a maximum of 3 points on their licence can be added for an extra £5 per day per driver. Again, it may be possible to cover other drivers who do not qualify for standard insurance (e.g. have more points on their licence, are under 25 etc) subject to additional terms which must be approved with the insurers prior to hire.

It is not possible to provide insurance for a driver who has had a previous proposal or insurance refused, declined or cancelled; has not disclosed a compulsory medical condition to the DVLA or has a provisional licence only.

The Hirer must provide two forms of identification - driving license (both parts) plus proof of permanent address (i.e. P60, Utility bill or bank statement) prior to hire. If no car is being left at the premises of VW Retro Rentals, they must also provide a photocopy of their passport.

The Driver(s) must:

1. Be between 25 and 70 years of age with no more than three penalty points or if outside this bracket, have agreed insurance with VW Retro Rentals prior to the start of the rental period
2. Have held a full driving license valid in the United Kingdom for at least 24 months
3. Have not been convicted of an offence in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle or motorcycle and/or have had my driving license endorsed or suspended or penalty points imposed
4. Not have any mental or physical defect or infirmity or suffer from fits, diabetes or any heart complaint.
5. Have never had their insurance declined and/or renewal refused and/or special insurance terms imposed as a result of claims experience and/or have had their insurance or cover cancelled by any Motor Insurer.
6. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are wholly or partly involved in professional entertainment or they are a professional sports person so that they can inform the insurance underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
7. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are a Jockey or person connected with racing of any sort so that they can inform the insuranse underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
8. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are an Undergraduates and/or student under 25 years of age so that they can inform the insuranse underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
9. Have never been involved in more than one accident whilst driving during the past 3 years.
10. Not be a Foreign Service Personnel other than a person born in the United Kingdom.

Drivers are responsible for the cost of any parking or speeding fines or other penalties incurred during the hire. Should such penalties incur, the charges will be passed on to the driver and an additional administration fee of £25 will be charged.

 

Insurance Liability & Excess Reduction Option

The hire rate includes a standard insurance excess of £500. In the event of any damage to either the vehicle or third party property, you will be liable for the first £500. You will also be fully liable for replacement or repair of windscreen or tyre damage.

You will be fully liable for rectifying any windscreen or tyre damage or damage due to negligence (e.g. failure to check the oil level etc).

Please be aware that the £500 security deposit will be used to cover any resulting loss or damage to equipment in the van, fixtures and fittings or negligent damage to the van.

 

Driving Tips

1. Keep the speed down - your van's top speed is 60 mph - these vans were built/designed in the 1960's and 70's when vehicles were very different!
2. You will find the gears and brakes very different to modern cars and it is advisable to leave lots of space and allow lots of time for braking and gear changing.
3. Don't let your van struggle up hills - better to change down and keep the revs up.

Engine Care

1. If there is damage or breakdown caused by your own actions, you will be liable for the cost of repair/replacement.  This could be such things as pushing the engine too hard, or putting diesel in a petrol engine or putting petrol in a diesel engine. 
2. You must check the oil, water and other gauges beyond 500 miles, refilling as necessary and directed. 
3. Your invoice will show the mileage on your vehicle on the day of collection.
4. If you cause damage to the engine through driving too fast (over 60 mph) over too long a period of time, and ignoring the warning lights, you will be liable for any repairs required or even the cost of a replacement engine. 
5. We ask that you allow plenty of time to return to the vans to us on your last morning, to avoid overheating the engine.

 

Holiday Insurance - VERY IMPORTANT
We advise you to take out your own holiday insurance prior to your hire to cover the unlikely event that due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g. the previous hirer crashes the van, extreme weather or sudden mechanical failure etc) we are unable to fulfil your booking. Holiday insurance will also cover you should you need to cancel your booking for any reason as the booking deposit is non-refundable nor transferable and balance payments will not be refunded within six weeks of the rental start date.

 

Security Deposit
There is a refundable GB£500 security deposit payable by cash, cleared cheque, bank transfer or payment card. We will refund this in full providing that the campervan is returned to the right location, at the agreed date and on time. It must be in the same condition that it was let out to you, with a clean interior, the same level of fuel and an empty toilet (if included). Whenever possible, we will inspect the vehicle on your return whilst you are still at our premises.

Your security deposit will be refunded within a week of the end of the hire period either by cheque, bank transfer or via Paypal.  Should there be any damage, costs for any repair, replacement or special cleaning, the costs will be deducted from this security deposit before the balance is returned to you.  In the event that there is a claim we reserve the right to retain the security deposit for a longer period as is necessary, to quantify the charges incurred which are to be deducted from the deposit.

Please be aware that the £500 security deposit will be used towards funding any loss or damage whatsoever to equipment, fixtures and fittings or negligent damage to the vehicle. 

Where charges are incurred which result in your security deposit being debited we will provide you with an itemised invoice detailing the charges incurred by you.

 

Travel Destinations
Travel outside of the UK is possible. Please request European travel (needed also for Southern Ireland). An insurance and AA breakdown premium apply.

The hire rate includes 75 miles per day. Journeys that exceed this will be subject to a cost of 35p per additional mile travelled and the total amount due will be calculated and deducted from the security deposit on return of the van.

 

Breakdowns
All our vans are regularly serviced and well maintained to minimise the risk of any mechanical problems when they are out on hire. Problems do occasionally still occur unfortunately as with any vehicle. All the vehicles have AA relay insurance. As we don't always have a spare van available, our priority is to get you back on the road in your original van as soon as we possibly can.

 

Pets
As dog lovers, we know what a pleasure it is to see them race along a beach, bound across open grassland or explore new footpaths.

HOWEVER WE CAN NO LONGER ALLOW ANIMALS & PETS IN OUR CAMPER VANS AT ANY TIME - SORRY

All damage, however caused by animals, will be charged to you.

 

Left Luggage
We will be happy to return your belongings left in the campervan at a charge of £5 plus postage and packing per item.  This will be deducted from your security deposit. 

 

Refunds & Cancellations
In the event of a cancellation more than 6 weeks before the start of the hire period, the booking deposit of £150 will be refunded. Hirers that cancel between 6 and 4 weeks of the start of the hire period will forfeit the booking deposit of £150, but will be offered a refund of 75% of the amount showing on the Balance Invoice (Total Hire Cost less Deposit Paid). If reservations are cancelled within 4 weeks, then no refund will be given. However, if we manage to get another booking for the same hire period we will still refund 75% of the Balance Invoice regardless of when the cancellation was made.  

 

Personal Data
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