Posted on July 12, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

The easiest bit of renting a car is picking it up and driving it away.  Isn’t it? Not so, according to a new survey by Kwik Fit.

A whopping one in three people hiring a car admit that they struggle with its basic controls when they step inside for the first time.

If the study’s findings are anything to go by, male drivers are much more likely to be confused by a new car setup than female drivers.  Kwik Fit attribute men’s bewilderment to their reluctance to consult instruction manuals.

Renters experiencing the most problems with their rental cars were 18-34 year old, 48% of these said they were left feeling “perplexed”.

What with all of this head scratching, it doesn’t sound like the best start to a holiday.

Things don’t get much better on the forecourt either.

Opening the petrol cap presents the biggest obstacle, with almost half (47%) struggling to manage it first time.

Other outstanding problems include locating the lights control, opening the boot, opening/closing the windows, and using the radio/sound system. 

Another 18% had difficulty starting the car, 6% were unable to find the handbrake and 4% couldn’t even unlock the doors.

Commenting on the outcome of his research, Kwik Fit chief executive Ian Fraser said: The controls in a car can differ hugely from one manufacturer to another and sometimes even between models of the same manufacturer.”

Who thought a change of car could be so much hassle?

What do you find most difficult about renting a car…?  Leave a comment and let us know!