What are SIPP codes?
SIPP codes are used to summarise the key features of a vehicle. They are the industry standard for describing vehicles.
The code is normally 4 characters long. For example:
- CDMR: Compact 4 door manual car with air conditioning
A CDMR vehicle could be one of many different makes/model, for example: Ford Focus, Fiat Stilo or Hyundai Matrix
Why use SIPP codes?
SIPP codes make it easier to compare vehicles by grouping similar vehicles together. There are thousands of different vehicles in the world, so there needs to be a system of organising them.
Will I definitely get the model that I book?
When you book a vehicle, you are not guaranteed to receive that vehicle: you will receive a vehicle with the same or superior SIPP code. It is quite common to receive a different vehicle, so don't set your hopes on receiving a specific make or model. Sometimes vehicles are being repaired and other times one model might be over-booked. However, you will receive a vehicle of the same calibre - that is what the SIPP ensures.
How do I use a SIPP code?
The 4 letters describe different things - either the type of vehicle, the number of doors, the transmission or whether it has air conditioning.
| First letter (Size of vehicle) | Second letter (Number of doors) | Third letter (Transmission & drive) | Fourth letter (Fuel & A/C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M = Mini | B = 2/3 door | M = Manual drive | N = Unspecified fuel, no A/C |
| N = Mini Elite | C = 2/4 door | N = Manual, 4WD | R = Unspecified fuel, A/C |
| E = Economy | D = 4/5door | C = Manual, AWD | D = Diesel, A/C |
| H = Economy Elite | W = Wagon / Estate | A = Auto drive | Q = Diesel, no A/C |
| C = Compact | V = Passenger Van | B = Auto, 4WD | H = Hybrid, A/C |
| D = Compact Elite | L = Limousine | D = Auto, AWD | I = Hybrid, no A/C |
| I = Intermediate | S = Sport | E = Electric, A/C | |
| J = Intermediate Elite | T = Convertable | C = Electric, no A/C | |
| S = Standard | F = SUV | L = LPG/Gas, A/C | |
| R = Standard Elite | J = Open Air All Terrain | S = LPG/Gas, no A/C | |
| F = Fullsize | X = Special | A = Hydrogen, A/C | |
| G = Fullsize Elite | P = Pickup Regular Cab | B = Hydrogen, no A/C | |
| P = Premium | Q = Pickup Extended Cab | M = Multi fuel, A/C | |
| U = Premium Elite | Z = Special Offer Car | F = Multi fuel, no A/C | |
| L = Luxury | E = Coupe | V = Petrol, A/C | |
| W = Luxury Elite | M = Monospace | Z = Petrol, no A/C | |
| O = Oversize | R = Recreational | U = Ethanol, A/C | |
| X = Special | H = Motor Home | X = Ethanol, no A/C | |
| Y = 2 Wheel Vehicle | |||
| N = Roadster | |||
| G = Crossover | |||
| K = Commercial Van / Truck |
Why have a 2/4 door car?
A common second letter SIPP is the letter C. This is for a 2 or 4 door car. You might say that a car is either one or the other so this does not make sense. The reason for it is that car hire companies often use this because they can substitute a 2 door car with a 4 door car if they run out of the 2 door ones. People don't mind because they get a larger vehicle - they are effectively upgraded to a 4 door car so they get more space.
- If you book a 2 door car (letter B), you will get a 2 door car.
- If you book a 4 door car (letter D), you will get a 4 door car.
- If you book a 2 or 4 door car (letter C), you will probably get a 2 door car but you might get a 4 door car.
Abuse of SIPP codes
The SIPP code list is a voluntary standard set by the industry body ACRISS (http://www.acriss.org/). Car hire companies are encouraged to use the agreed SIPP codes but are not obliged to do so. If car hire companies create their own codes, it removes standardisation and makes it hard for consumers to compare cars.
Unfortunately, some car hire companies do make up their own SIPP codes in some circumstances. We encourage our partners to use standard SIPP codes at all times.
Sipp code calculator
Enter the SIPP code and we will tell you what it is:
CDMR = Compact 4 door manual car with air conditioning.
