Which agency blocks the lowest deposit?

The security deposit is one of the most important details to check before booking a hire car. It is not usually a rental cost, but a temporary amount blocked on the main driver’s card when you collect the vehicle. The supplier uses it as security for possible charges such as damage, missing fuel, late return, fines, cleaning costs or other costs covered by the hire agreement.

For many drivers, a lower deposit makes car collection easier, especially if the card limit is limited or if the available balance is not very high. However, the lowest deposit is not automatically the best deal. You also need to compare the excess, accepted card types, total rental price, fuel policy, mileage, vehicle category and supplier conditions.

The figures in this guide use the UK deposit and excess data currently available in the project Excel file. They are useful for comparing suppliers, but the final amount can still vary depending on location, vehicle category, extras, supplier terms and booking details.

On gocarhire.co.uk, you can compare car hire deals and check the important information before booking, including deposit, excess, payment card rules and pick-up requirements.

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At a glance: which suppliers show the lowest deposits?

• Deposits vary significantly: the UK data shows a wide gap between the lowest and highest minimum deposit figures.
• The lowest deposit is not always the best deal: excess, card rules and total rental price still matter.
• Some deposits are fixed, others are formulas: in some cases, rental cost and optional extras can affect the final card hold.
• The table below gives the clearest comparison: use it to compare deposit and excess together.
• Deposit is not the same as excess: the deposit is a card hold, while excess is your potential liability in case of damage or theft.
• The booking conditions are the final reference: the amount can vary by vehicle, branch, supplier terms and selected extras.

UK car hire deposit comparison by supplier

The table below compares the minimum deposit and minimum excess figures available in the UK project data. It is designed to help you identify which suppliers may be easier to collect from if your priority is a lower card hold.

Source: UK deposit and excess data from the project Excel file. Always check the live booking conditions before collection, as amounts can vary by offer, branch, vehicle category and supplier terms.

Which companies block the lowest deposit in the UK data?

Based on the UK data currently available, Enterprise, Hertz and National show the lowest minimum deposit figure, at £200. Avis follows with £330, while Budget shows £330 plus rental cost and optional cost.

That does not automatically make these suppliers the best choice for every booking. Enterprise and National show a minimum excess of £1,750 in the same data, while Hertz shows £1,700. Budget shows a lower minimum excess of £1,000, but its deposit formula includes the rental cost and optional costs, so the total card hold may be higher than the headline deposit suggests.

Deposit and excess: why the lowest deposit is not always the safest option

The deposit is the temporary hold on the card. The excess is the amount you may have to pay if the car is damaged or stolen, depending on the insurance and supplier terms. They are different, and both matter.

A supplier can have a low deposit but a high excess. This may be easier at collection because less money is blocked on the card, but it does not necessarily reduce your financial risk if something goes wrong during the hire.

For a fuller explanation of cover and liability, read our car hire insurance and excess guide.

Why Budget needs a separate reading

Budget is a good example of why the table should not be read too quickly. In the UK data, Budget shows a minimum deposit of £330 plus rental cost and optional cost. This means the final amount blocked on the card may be higher than £330, depending on the booking price and extras.

At the same time, Budget shows a lower minimum excess than several other suppliers in the provided data. So Budget may look attractive from an excess perspective, but the deposit calculation needs to be checked carefully before collection.

Card rules: the deposit must be authorised at the desk

The supplier normally blocks the security deposit on the main driver’s card at pick-up. The card must meet the supplier’s conditions, usually including the correct card type, matching name, sufficient available limit and physical presentation at the desk.

If the card cannot support the hold, the supplier may refuse to release the vehicle, even if the booking has already been paid online. This is why it is important to check both the deposit amount and the card rules before travelling.

To understand the payment rules in more detail, read why car hire companies require a credit card and our guide to car hire without a credit card.

How to choose if you want a low deposit

If your main concern is avoiding a high card hold, start with the suppliers showing lower deposit figures, but do not stop there. A good offer should also have clear card rules, acceptable excess, suitable vehicle category, transparent fuel policy and a total price that still makes sense.

If you want to reduce collection issues, read our tips for picking up the car.

Checklist before choosing by deposit

Before you book based on deposit amount, check the full conditions of the offer. The lowest deposit is useful only if the rest of the booking also works for your trip.