By Martin Gurdon

FOR a man who owns 70 ancient Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans, Darren Sharpe seems remarkably sane and happy. But as proprietor of Ickenham, Middlesex-based Rent-a-Banger, other people's motoring cast-offs are business bread and butter for Barren, a vehicle sales veteran of 20 years' standing, who set up his cheap car hire operation as a sideline about three years ago.
" It started as a joke, really," he confessed. "My wife came up with the idea. She'd seen something similar in America. We'd been lumbered with some cars that would lose us money if we sold them through auction, and she suggested we try to get some revenue from them."
So the idea of renting out automotive senior citizens to Londoners was born. Today, Darren will charge £47 a week to hire out a 1993 Nissan Micra, if the driver can put it on his or her insurance (which might cost about £20; not all insurers provide temporary cover), or supply it with fully comprehensive insurance for about £90 — this presumes the driver is over 21 and has a driving licence with no more than three points on it.
For the chic delights of a bigger, teenaged Honda Accord or Toyota Carina, the price is £70.50 sans cover, and from £110 with it.

This compares with the £145.20 that Sixt Car Rental charges to hire a Fiesta, and £218.90 for an Accord (both over five days).
There are no mileage restrictions, but there is breakdown cover, and the offer of a substitute car should one of Darren's bangers expire mid-rental. Hirers must stump up a £300 refundable deposit, taken as a credit card payment. Cash is not welcome. " We started by accepting £100 cash deposits, but it could be a nightmare, and we were shafted a few times with stuff like cars not coming back. Now if people can't come up with the deposit, they're not hiring a car. We're quite blunt."
When such cars are worth £300-£600, this makes sense. "Most people are reasonable. One guy smashed a car in Manchester. He said, 'You can either go through my insurance or take another £150 from my credit card.' After that we could all walk away from the car."
Darren's customers are an eclectic bunch, travel from as far afield as Essex and Swindon ("if they can get a lift") and range from people on low incomes who need occasional cheap wheels to professional types"-whose regular cars have been damaged, and want short-term, emergency transport for things like school runs ("if they can spend £50 instead of £180 they'll hire from us"). One regular has been hiring virtually constantly for three years, taking three cars over this period,"