23 July 2024

Why do I need to leave a fuel deposit when I collect my rental car?

Car hire excess insurance can help if you put the wrong fuel in your hire car.

You may have come across the term ‘Fuel Deposit’ in your search for car hire but what does it mean and how do fuel deposits work?

What is a fuel deposit?

A fuel deposit is an amount usually held on your credit card by a car hire company which they will use to charge you if your car is returned without the correct amount of fuel.

Why are fuel deposits taken?

When you hire a car there will be a fuel policy attached to the package you have chosen. A fuel policy will set out what is expected from you in regards to the fuel in the car.

The majority of rentals come with a full-to-full or same-to-same fuel policy. These are where you are expected to return your rental vehicle with the same amount of fuel in it as when you collected it.

With these types of fuel policy you are more likely to be asked for a fuel deposit as the car hire company needs to ensure you have the funds to pay for filling the tank up should you not have done so before returning the vehicle.

A fuel deposit is a completely separate item from a security deposit. Even with a no-excess car hire, you may still be required to leave a fuel deposit. They are a much smaller amount than a security deposit.

What if you don’t have time to fill the car up?

You will be charged for the missing fuel – and this is often at a premium rate as the petrol stations at the airport especially tend to be more expensive. Bear in mind that the rental company will also charge an additional fee for their time to fill up too so the cost can really add up. It is well worth ensuring you leave yourself enough time before dropping your car back at the rental office.

Our Top Fuel Tips

• Take a photograph of your fuel gauge with your mobile phone before you drive away from the rental office. This timestamped photo will help you make sure you have filled the car up to the appropriate level on your return.

• Find out which fuel the car takes. If you can’t find it in your paperwork or the car’s manual, either ask at the desk or check the inside of the petrol flap. An EU rule introduced in 2019 means newer cars within the EU should have symbols showing which fuel you need.

• Misfuelling – putting the wrong fuel in – can be an expensive mistake. If you do, then do not drive the car. The good news is that you can be covered for misfuelling with a car hire excess insurance policy.