There is no shortage of car hire companies in London, and with any industry it can sometimes be difficult to separate the best from the rest. To the unsuspecting customer who’s looking for the cheapest deal they may fall foul of a lack of service, expensive optional extras and maybe even un-serviced and potentially dangerous cars.

It’s therefore important that you do your homework when looking for an executive car hire company and you don’t just jump into the bed with the first one you find at the cheapest price.

So what makes a good Executive Car Hire Company – here is our shortlist.

1. Regular Vehicle Maintenance. It’s the responsibility of the car hire company to make sure that all vehicles are safe and sound. But its not only the engine and safety aspects that need to be maintained, but the interior of the cars aswell. After all, an executive car is supposed to be luxurious!

2. PCO stands for 'Public Carriage Office'. Every Chauffeur carrying a passenger has to have a PCO licence which shows that the driver has taken a criminal record’s check and has a knowledge of his way around London. To obtain a PCO licence, the chauffeur also has to undertake a medical examination to confirm his level of fitness and his capability of doing the job.

3. The fleet of cars that are available for hire. Take a close look at what cars the company has available for hire. Some fleets might be more luxurious than others and pricing might reflect that. Think about your needs before committing to a booking

4. GPS Tracking. Many Executive Car Hire companies now use GPS tracking in their vehicles so that the location can be monitored at all times. This is great for peace of mind and family safety.

5. Do they have a web site? If so, is it precise and clearly advertising the products and services available. Is the pricing clearly marked and do they let you book online? A good web site shows that the company is forward thinking and honest in their business

Of course, there are many other factors that make an Executive Car Hire Company a good one – things like how the chauffeurs are dressed and the punctuality of the cars and many factors can be a matter of opinion.