If you’ve just got off a plane after a long flight, the last thing you’ll be wanting to do is go through the rigmarole of picking up your hire car. That is something vehicle rental firms have finally come to understand about travellers, which is why they now offer a more streamlined service than previously.

Fiddly details such as insurance and local taxes can now be dealt with when you book your car as part of your holiday arrangements, making collecting your ride a much simpler process.

But things can still go wrong when hiring a car. Which? (http://www.which.net) claims that one in six people experiences difficulties with the vehicle or the rental company. It is not unknown for holidaymakers to be told that there is no record of their booking or to find the car rental desk closed.

Or they might end up having to pay to waive an outrageously high insurance excess or to cover a ‘hidden’ cost such as pollution tax, airport tax, drivers under 25, or dropping off the car at a different location from the one where you collected it.

According to the AA (http://www.theaa.com), other common problems you are likely to encounter include being given a car different from the model you booked and being given a vehicle that wouldn’t pass its MoT test in the UK.

There are, however, a number of ways in which you can greatly reduce the risk of a car rental fiasco. First, book with a reputable British or multinational company – such as Holiday Autos (http://www.holidayautos.co.uk), Avis (http://www.avis.co.uk) or Hertz (http://www.hertz.co.uk). This means that in the event of difficulties, you will be able to talk to someone who speaks your language and who is used to handling customers’ complaints.

Shop around: rates for similar cars and rental packages can differ greatly. Before you make your booking, ask lots of questions and make sure you won’t later be hit by ‘hidden’ costs. Try to agree on an all-inclusive charge that includes theft protection, collision damage waiver (or loss damage waiver in America), local taxes (if applicable) and, if driving in the USA, supplementary liability insurance.

Don’t be pressured into buying unnecessary insurance, such as personal effects cover, which you won’t need if you already have a standard travel insurance policy. Paying to waive the insurance excess may cost a few pounds a day, but could be worth it in the event of an accident: excess charges are often vastly over-inflated.

Ensure that the rental agreement covers all your needs, because you don’t want to drive off-road and then find that by doing so you have violated your contract with the hire firm.

Understand what damage you will be liable for – usually to wheels, tyres, undercarriage and interior. Before you drive the car away, ensure the rental firm notes all scratches and dents, and check that the wipers, brakes and lights work. Make sure that the tyres have no bald patches or cuts. Know what sort of fuel the car takes and how much you’re expected to leave in the tank when returning the vehicle.

Don’t be late dropping off the car, or you could be charged an extra day’s rental.