Used Rental Cars from Hertz with the Biggest Discounts

The rental car industry has suffered in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as travel has come to a standstill. As a result, Hertz has recently declared bankruptcy and has begun selling its vehicles through Hertz Car Sales® at deeper discounts. Because car rental agencies continually update their fleet to keep it current, their vehicles for sale tend to be from recent model years. This presents significant deals to consumers in the market for a late-model used vehicle.

iSeeCars analyzed over 20,000 used cars from model years 2017 to 2019 listed by Hertz Car Sales® in May 2020, to see which vehicles provide the biggest cost savings. Hertz vehicles can currently be found on average for $1,389 below market value, which is 43.3 percent more than the average discount for Hertz vehicles in April at $969. Some vehicles can be found with savings far greater than average.

Best Deals on Buying Hertz Rental Cars

Twenty-five vehicles can be found with savings of at least 10 percent below market value. Sedans are the most represented vehicle category on the list with 11 followed by SUVs with six, hatchbacks with four, two pickup trucks, one minivan, and one convertible.

“The former rental cars with the greatest discounts are a mix of vehicle types across a wide range of price points, so shoppers in the market for a late-model used vehicle should consider these cars,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly. “Consumers might not consider used rental cars because they typically have higher mileage than late-model used cars that are often off-lease, but there are benefits to buying from a rental company including the fact that they are well-maintained and follow a regular maintenance schedule.”

iSeeCars found that the average rental car sold in May had 31 percent higher mileage than used cars from typical dealerships. “However, some rental vehicles such as luxury cars aren’t the most popular rental car choices, and these cars enter the market with significantly lower mileage than average,” said Ly.

The vehicle with the greatest savings is the BMW 7 Series full-size sedan, which on average can be found at a 13.7 percent discount that amounts to $6,877 in savings. “The upcharge for renting a luxury car likely makes the BMW 7 Series an unpopular rental, so the average mileage is about half of what you would find from a typical dealer,” said Ly. “This presents significant savings on a lightly-used super luxury car.”

Four additional luxury sedans make the list including the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Lincoln Continental, the Cadillac CTS, and the BMW 5 Series. “New for 2019, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class small sedan is the automaker’s least expensive vehicle, and a used rental car provides significant savings on top of its lower starting price to allow more buyers to enter the luxury market,” said Ly. “The Lincoln Continental full-size sedan is known for its comfortable ride and abundant legroom, and the BMW 5 Series midsize sedan is praised for its driving dynamics and luxurious interior. Both are likely passed up by renters for less premium options so they also have lower average mileage than used cars at traditional dealerships.”

Ranked second is the Chevrolet Trax subcompact SUV, which can be found at a 13.4 percent discount. The small SUV is joined by an additional subcompact SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. “These used subcompact SUVs can be found on average for under $14,000, which makes them affordable options for consumers looking to purchase an SUV,” said Ly. Another small mainstream SUV making the list is the compact Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. “The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was discontinued for the 2019 model year and replaced by the slightly larger Hyundai Santa Fe,” said Ly. “The Santa Fe Sport is a capable SUV that appeals to budget-friendly SUV buyers and can also be found under $14,000.”

Three luxury SUVs make the list including the INFINITI QX50, the Cadillac XT5, and the BMW X3. “Along with the additional cost savings, the midsize INFINITI QX50 and the compact BMW X3 each can be found with significantly less mileage than the same late-model used models at traditional used car dealerships,” said Ly. “Meanwhile, the Cadillac XT5 is comparable in mileage, which makes these three vehicles great deals for shoppers interested in a luxury SUV.”

Seven small cars make the list including the subcompact Nissan Versa Note and Ford Fiesta, and the compact Kia Forte, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta, and Ford Focus. “The Volkswagen Golf hatchback and the Volkswagen Jetta are fun-to-drive small cars, and the sporty Golf hatchback provides abundant cargo room to serve as an SUV alternative,” said Ly. “The Nissan Versa Note, the Kia Forte, the Ford Fiesta, the Nissan Sentra, and the Ford Focus all offer additional savings to the already low-prices for these models that are popular first vehicles for new drivers.”

Two pickup trucks make the list: the Toyota Tundra and the GMC Silverado 1500. “Consumers who rent pickup trucks likely don’t subject them to the wear and tear that is expected for work trucks on construction sites,” said Ly.

The Buick Cascada stands out as the lone convertible on the list. “Discontinued after 2019, the Buick Cascada is not a popular vehicle,” said Ly. “However, it presents significant savings for shoppers who want a luxury convertible.”

The Nissan Quest makes the list as the only minivan on the list. “The Nissan Quest was discontinued for consumers after the 2016 model year, although it was available as a fleet vehicle for the 2017 model year,” said Ly. “Those in the market for an affordable family hauler can find a great deal on the Nissan Quest, which has a nice interior and offers a smooth ride.”

Rounding out the list are two discontinued domestic full-size sedans: the Ford Taurus and the Chevrolet Impala. “Thes Ford Taurus and the Chevrolet Impala are quality vehicles that fell victim to the declining popularity of large sedans,” said Ly. “These cars present savings opportunities for consumers who want a spacious vehicle but don’t want an SUV.”

Best Deals on Sports Cars

iSeeCars examined the sports car segment to determine which provide the best deals for used Hertz models.

Four sports cars have discounts greater than the 4.5 percent average for the segment. These include the Chevrolet Camaro, the Mercedes-Benz SLC, the Dodge Charger, and the Dodge Challenger.

Best Deals on Family Vehicles

iSeeCars examined the SUVs and minivans with five-star safety ratings that provide the best deals.

Six additional vehicles make the list in addition to the four noted on the overall list. They include five SUVs and the Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

Should You Buy a Rental Car?

There are important things to consider when purchasing a used rental car. “When buying a used car from any dealer, shoppers should always obtain a vehicle history report through services like Carfax or Autocheck, test drive the vehicle, and have it inspected by an independent mechanic,” said Ly. “Car shoppers should also compare the vehicle to others in the area to make sure they are getting the best possible deal, and online tools like the iSeeCars VIN check report can provide shoppers with pricing data and other important information.”

Buying a Rental Car: Benefits

“Cars from rental car fleets are late-model used cars that are generally priced to sell so rental agencies can keep their fleet current,” said Ly. “They follow routine maintenance schedules and typically have less cosmetic damage because renters are careful to avoid the costly penalties that come with scratches or dings. All vehicles purchased through Hertz undergo a 115-point inspection and come with a 12-month/12,000 mile limited powertrain warranty as well as perks such as a year of roadside assistance, home delivery, and a seven-day 250-mile return policy.”

Buying a Rental Car: Limitations

“Rental cars typically have high mileage and more wear and tear than other cars from the same model year because they have had many renters, who may not be as careful with the vehicle as they would be with their own car,” noted Ly. “Hertz also has no-haggle prices on its vehicles, so buyers who like to negotiate are unable to do so.”

Methodology

iSeeCars analyzed over 20,000 used cars for sale from model years 2017-2019 listed by Hertz Car Sales® in May 2020. Models with low-volume were excluded from further analysis. The price of each car was compared to similar cars sold nation-wide by other used car dealers, as was its mileage. The resulting comparison was expressed as both a dollar difference and percentage difference from “market value”, and the data was then aggregated to the model level.

About iSeeCars

iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $406 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.