What Does “or Similar” Mean When Renting a Car?

When choosing a rental car, you will often see the words “or similar” next to the name of a particular model.

This means you are booking a vehicle category rather than necessarily reserving that exact model.

For example, if the booking says “Fiat 500 or similar”, the Fiat 500 is an example of a car within that category. At collection, another model from the same class may be provided.

This is standard practice in car rental. Vehicles are constantly being returned, rented again, serviced and prepared for the next customers.

It is therefore useful to understand which characteristics form part of your reservation and which belong only to the example vehicle shown in the picture.

Is the Exact Car Model Guaranteed?

For a normal booking marked “or similar”, a specific vehicle model is not guaranteed.

The same applies to reservations made through brokers, comparison websites and other third-party companies.

You may see a particular model when booking, but the reservation itself is for the corresponding vehicle category.

If receiving one exact model is important to you, choose a booking option where a guaranteed model is explicitly stated, when such an option is available for that vehicle.

What Is Guaranteed with an “or Similar” Booking?

At SOLO rent a car, the key characteristics of the selected category are maintained.

In particular, the following are guaranteed:

• vehicle class;
• transmission type.

For example, if you book a compact automatic car, an “or similar” alternative will also be a vehicle in the corresponding category with automatic transmission.

This is why it is better to look beyond the photograph and pay attention to the actual specifications of the category.

Why Can’t the Rental Company Always Provide the Car in the Photo?

Rental cars are used by customers one after another, so the availability of one particular vehicle can change even when a booking was made well in advance.

Possible reasons include:

• a previous customer returning the vehicle later than expected;
• an extension of the previous rental;
• scheduled maintenance;
• additional technical inspection;
• repair of damage;
• operational allocation of vehicles between reservations.

This is exactly why rental fleets use vehicle categories. You reserve a certain level and type of vehicle rather than the registration number of one particular car.

If I Book an Automatic, Can I Receive a Manual?

No, if your confirmed reservation specifies automatic transmission.

Transmission type is one of the characteristics maintained for “or similar” bookings.

This is especially important for travellers who do not drive manual cars or simply prefer an automatic while on holiday.

If I Book an SUV, Could I Receive a Regular Compact Car?

If you reserve an SUV category, the supplied vehicle should correspond to the booked class.

However, the manufacturer, exact model, interior design, engine and individual equipment may differ.

Unless the booking explicitly states that a particular model is guaranteed, treat the photograph as an example of the category.

Can the Equipment Be Different?

Yes.

Cars within the same class can differ in:

• engine power;
• multimedia system;
• built-in navigation;
• screen size;
• parking sensors;
• rear-view camera;
• interior trim;
• other convenience features.

A particular feature should not be considered guaranteed simply because it is visible in the photograph of the example car.

How Should You Choose the Right Rental Car?

Start with what actually matters for your trip.

Pay attention to:

• vehicle class;
• automatic or manual transmission;
• number of passengers;
• amount of luggage;
• body type;
• vehicle size;
• conditions of the selected rental package.

For two people travelling with one suitcase, a compact car will usually be sufficient.

If a family is travelling with several large suitcases, a pushchair and child seats, choosing a vehicle only because you like the model shown in the photo becomes a slightly more ambitious strategy.

You can read more in our guide “Rent a Car Alicante: Which Car Should You Choose?”.

What Does the Luggage Information on the Vehicle Card Mean?

The booking page shows information such as passenger capacity, number of doors, transmission and estimated luggage capacity.

These details are often more useful than the photograph of one particular model.

Pay special attention to luggage space when several people are travelling.

A car may have five seats, but that does not mean five people and five large suitcases will all fit comfortably. The laws of physics remain annoyingly resistant to holiday optimism.

What If the Exact Model Really Matters to Me?

Look for a booking option where the specific vehicle model is explicitly guaranteed.

If no model guarantee is stated, you should not expect the exact car shown in the photograph.

This is particularly important when you are choosing a car not simply for transport, but because of a particular model, design or other individual characteristic.

What Happens If You Book Through a Broker?

A specific model is also not guaranteed when a reservation is made through a broker or comparison website and the booking is based on a vehicle category.

A third-party website may show a photograph of one car while the actual reservation remains for the corresponding vehicle group.

For this reason, the small words “or similar” can sometimes be more important than the much larger photograph above them. Marketing, tragically, has always preferred larger pictures.

What Should You Do If the Car at Collection Seems to Be a Different Category?

If you are unsure, ask the rental agent before leaving the office.

Check:

• which vehicle class was booked;
• which class has been provided;
• whether the transmission matches the booking;
• whether the vehicle is suitable for your passengers and luggage.

It is considerably easier to clarify this at the desk than after you have already driven to another town.

Should You Check the Car Before Driving Away?

Yes.

After receiving the vehicle, take a few minutes to adjust the seat and mirrors, check the fuel type and familiarise yourself with the main controls.

If the vehicle is not the model you expected, do not immediately assume there is a problem. First check whether it matches the booked class and transmission.

For more information, see our guide “Car Rental at Alicante Airport: How to Pick Up Your Car After Arrival”.

Common Mistakes with “or Similar” Rental Cars

• treating the photograph as a guarantee of an exact model;
• choosing a vehicle only by appearance;
• not checking the vehicle class;
• overlooking the transmission type;
• underestimating luggage space;
• assuming every equipment feature shown in the photo will be identical;
• missing the words “or similar” when booking through a third party.

Frequently Asked Questions About “or Similar”

What does “or similar” mean?

It means you are booking a vehicle category rather than necessarily the exact model shown in the photograph.

Is the vehicle class guaranteed?

Yes. For relevant SOLO bookings, the selected vehicle class is guaranteed.

Will an automatic remain automatic?

Yes. If an automatic car is booked, an “or similar” replacement will also have automatic transmission.

Can the brand be different?

Yes. The manufacturer and exact model may be different.

Can the equipment be different?

Yes. Individual features and equipment can vary between models in the same category.

How can I get the exact model I selected?

Choose a booking option where the specific vehicle model is explicitly stated as guaranteed, when available.

Booking a Rental Car in Alicante with SOLO rent a car

“Or similar” does not mean that you will receive a completely random vehicle at collection.

It means that your reservation is linked to a vehicle category rather than necessarily to the exact model shown in the photograph.

When booking, focus on the vehicle class, transmission, number of passengers and required luggage capacity.

If one particular model is essential, choose an option where the model guarantee is explicitly included.

For most journeys, choosing the right category is considerably more important than the badge on the steering wheel.

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In Short

“Or similar” means that you are booking a vehicle category rather than necessarily the exact model shown in the photograph.

For this type of booking, SOLO rent a car guarantees the vehicle class and transmission type.

The brand, exact model and individual equipment may vary.

If you need one particular model, choose a booking option where the model is explicitly guaranteed.