I’d like to recommend the Hertz Rent2Buy scheme. After months of scouring used car lots and car supermarkets searching for the right Ford S Max, dealing with snooty and rude car sales people, I learned that most of the car supermarkets I was trawling bought their cars direct from rental companies. So, cutting out the middleman, I found that Hertz now sells its cars direct to the public via Hertz Rent2Buy.

You hire your chosen vehicle for 10 days and then, should you opt to buy, the rental cost is waived and you just keep the car (no need to return it; all the paperwork is completed remotely). The Hertz staff were prompt and extremely polite (dealt with over the phone and via email). In my narrow price range of £12,000 to £14,000 I was given a choice of 50 Ford S Maxes, differing by spec and mileage (I was picky in my choice of car and asked that the return condition sheets were consulted so I got the best condition car. Hertz, and in particular Andy Mills, was happy to undertake this).

Hertz delivered my chosen car to my local Hertz office for me to inspect and then hire (my 10 day rental cost was £128, which was subsequently waived). I bought the car at a price approximately £1000 to £2000 lower than the car supermarkets had been asking (for the same spec/mileage), with no admin fee. A great buying experience, negating rude and pushy sales people. From a sceptical start I would happily buy another car direct from Hertz.