Mirage Car Rentals

Mirage Car Rentals is a budget hire business on Tourist Road in Bugibba, the resort area of St Paul's Bay. It has rented vehicles to visitors since 1985, and its owner is named on the website as Tonio Gatt. The idea is simple: small, easy-to-park cars at straightforward rates, with insurance and mileage already built in.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed in our directory of car hire in Malta. A hire car is often the easiest way for UK visitors to reach beaches, villages and ferry points that buses serve slowly, and Malta drives on the left, as in Britain.

The fleet, from scooters to seven-seaters

Vehicles are grouped by category. Group A is a Peugeot Tweet 125cc scooter for two. The smaller cars include the Peugeot 107 or Chevrolet Spark, the Toyota Aygo or Kia Picanto, the Hyundai i10 and the Hyundai i20, all five-door with power steering and air conditioning, and the Aygo is also offered with a panoramic roof. Automatic versions of the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 are available for drivers who prefer not to use a manual gearbox, and the Peugeot Rifter seats seven.

The company also rents quad bikes. Because many UK drivers are used to automatics or have not driven a manual abroad, it is worth asking early about automatic availability for your dates.

Each category lists its features on the fleet page, usually five doors, power steering, air conditioning, central locking, electric windows and a radio. For a couple the small cars are ample, while the seven-seater suits a family or two couples sharing. The scooter is a 125cc two-seater, so check that your own licence covers it before you ask for one.

What the rental price includes

Quoted rates include fully comprehensive insurance with an excess of €350, a 24-hour breakdown service seven days a week and unlimited mileage. Collision damage waiver is offered as a recommended option on the quote form. Baby seats and an extra driver each cost €5 daily.

Petrol, traffic fines and 18% VAT are not included, so allow for these on top of the daily rate. Booking direct through the company's own site carries its lowest rates, and special rates run from time to time.

Who can hire and what to bring

Drivers must be between 25 and 70 years old with two years of driving experience. Bring a valid driving licence and your passport, plus a debit or credit card, which is taken as a security deposit against road contraventions and the excess. The minimum rental is three days, so the company suits a week's holiday better than a single day trip.

The quote request asks for your dates, number of days, vehicle group, nationality, local address in Malta and any extras, so have your accommodation details ready.

Once you have chosen a group, send the quote form without obligation, giving as much detail as possible so that the price quoted is accurate. The company confirms rates for your dates and then arranges the rental, so there is no need to commit before you have seen the figures.

Where to drive from Bugibba

Bugibba and neighbouring Qawra have plenty of places to stay, and our guide to hotels in Qawra and St Paul's Bay is a good place to start. From here a car puts you within reach of Golden Bay, the departure points for the Blue Lagoon on Comino, Popeye Village in Mellieħa and the ferry to Gozo, covered in our Gozo island guide. Our best beaches in Malta list and things to do in Malta page give more ideas, and the Malta weather guide helps with timing.

Nearby, Abyss Diving Club Bugibba offers diving, and Adventure Cruises Malta runs boat trips. To ask about a car, scooter or quad for your dates, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Mirage Car Rentals.