Green Motion - Birmingham International

Driving Without Proof of Insurance??? I hired a car from Green Motion Birmingham Airport in November 2023, when collecting the car they would only provide an email digital copy of the rental agreement and condition report which I had to view and sign on my phone, I was informed that their policy is not to print these on paper. It took a little time but I got there. All seemed ok until I got hit from behind a couple of days later. Police showed up and informed me that they had no record on the car being insured on their system. I thought that would not be a problem until I offered them the booking form emailed to me. Nowhere on the booking form does it give the insurance cover information that the police required. As far as they were concerned I was driving the car without insurance. I phoned the Green Motion office, explained the situation and after 35 minutes and six phone calls I eventually received an email with the required insurance shown. Police were satisfied and we parted company. However by Green Motion failing to provide this insurance document at the time of pick-up I had two police officers standing around wasting their time and telling me that without proof of insurance the car would be impounded and I would receive a summons for driving without insurance. A lot of time and stress could have been avoided if Green Motion had provided me with the insurance document at pick-up. You get what you pay for, cheaper is not always better.

From my experience, avoid at all costs. Upon picking the car up, i felt slight intimidation to push me into buying extra insurance and to reduce the £1205 deposit from my credit card. However, the car pick-up was otherwise okay.

Upon return, they noted a small windscreen chip with a 4mm crack and on the passenger side. I was informed they would withold my £1205 deposit as the car needed a new windscreen. As a former mechanic and vehicle inspector of many years, i knew this was utter nonsense. The windscreen could be easily repaired for about forty pounds, whereas a totally unnecessary windscreen replacement costs hundreds.

I've since sent pictures to several windscreen companies and forwarded them to Green Motion. All say that it is easily repaired for minimum cost. There is no justification whatsoever for their extortionate and false claim. These people are sham artists and i wonder how many other poor unfortunates they try this on per week. If it isn't suitably resolved, i will be complaining to Trading Standards, contacting media outlets and taking legal action.

Returned the car during normal business hours, checked for additional damage (one of the rear doors was bashed in when we rented it) and went into the station. The office was unoccupied and locked. Called the number on the door and eventually were met by a representative back at the car. But, here's the thing, in the intervening time, while we were trying to locate a representative, the car was damaged in the Green Motion parking lot. The agent went straight to the damage as well, uncanny. Contacting customer service was the expected exercise in futility. Subsequently saw a YouTube clip from a Channel 4 investigation that employees get bonuses for finding damage.

Do not trust the underhand, money-grabbing methods of Green Motion. As per normal for car rental companies, I was offered the extra insurance what they called 'a cost reduction package' I explicitly stated that I did not require this. I had already pre-paid £254.62. I certainly was not going to pay an extra £224.50 for insurance that I did not require. Immediately after stating that I definitely did not want to pay the extra money, the salesclerk said that he just needed to swipe my card to take a deposit which is normal course of action, so I did not hesitate to sign. Upon returning the vehicle I waited for the deposit to be returned but 3 weeks later it had not been returned so I contacted customer services who told me that I would not be getting my money returned as this was a fee for extra insurance. The extra insurance that I declined! They took this money and refused to return it. They are a despicable and unethical company, avoid at all costs unless you want to be ripped off.

On the 16th of June I checked in at Green Motion Birmingham Airport (car hire company) to pick up my car that I pre-booked. Member of staff took my credit card in order to secure deposit of £1205 in case of any car damage may occur. I was prepared for this and had my credit card checked (even paid elsewhere prior to this to make sure that the card is working), so the member of staff took the card under the counter and after a few seconds said to me that the card doesn’t work, I went to cash machine and it didn’t worked either, also checked at the shop and it didn’t works so it was obvious to me that the staff at Geeen Motion damaged the card (card have visible indent where the chip is), so in effect of this they said to me that I can buy additional insurance for £270 (non refundable)also £50 deposit and can pay with my debit card, I was already late for the meeting so I did end up paying it just so I can get the car and make my way for the appointment. I made contact with Green Motion Howe they doesn’t seems to be with me what had happened and they blaming me for this. Please help me to at least get my money back and warn people for the future so no one else can get tricked by this company.

Repeatedly things taken at Gatwick, LHR and Central London. Fictitious charges and phoney useless so-called insurance. insolent staff and absolutely SHAMELESS....you would be safer in a back-street in Cairo.

I have just lost £800!!! I was played from the moment I went to pick up the van!! I am taking this further...

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!! They are set up up to extract money from people in a completely unethical way pure and simple.

Classic bait and switch. Stay for away.

I received an email from them confirming renting one of their vehicles, and made sure I had all the relevant documents required. These were listed in the email -

You'll need the following to collect your car:

Passport (or ID card for domestic or EU to EU travellers).

Driver license and International driving permit / licence (check driver's requirements in voucher).

Credit card (not Debit) in main driver's full name (with sufficient funds for rental payment and deposit).

Printed voucher.

When I showed up, I was told that since I was local, I also needed to bring in a hard copy of proof of residence. I argued with them that this had not been listed, or else I would've brought in a bank statement. Instead, they treated me like I was trying to steal one of their cars and was lying to them.

I gave up on the situation, canceled the reservation, and walked away. They also said that since I hadn't brought proof of residence, they would not refund the rental fee.

Stay far, far away from them.

Never known staff to be so rude in my life  after ordering a car I read the reviews and thought to myself what have I done. Upon arrival I sin 2 customers already midway into an argument with the staff I realised the reviews wasn't lying I paid £55 for a week rental when I arrived they tried to charge me £126 to pay on my bank card he was that rude I ended up in a argument and was told I had to leave so I had no car after going all the way to Birmingham airport and was still charged £55 for the car that I never even picked up all I am saying is do not use this uneducated company who say we don't care we have loads of customers and we are fully booked that's the thanks you get for ordering a car with them.

The reasons for my low score are:

- Staff rude, bordering on aggressive

- Car was dirty despite the agent claiming he had just cleaned it himself

- Threatened with additional charges if the car was returned dirty! I rent cars regularly and have never been told that the car has to be returned clean!

- Expected to thoroughly inspect the car on a dark and rainy evening in the middle of an open car park whilst the agent disappeared to serve another customer. I could tell I was being set up for additional charges on this rental.

- Suprise Suprise, additonal £200 charge for a paint chip on a door edge that was undetectable. The agent didn't check the rest of the car, he already knew it was there. How many other people have been charged for that damage? Reg Number SH63 YTX

- There was a fault with the car, a message was displayed every time the engine started but was told to ignore it. It was in relation to the emmisions control system.

- I gave Green Motion the same review directly to give them a chance to redeem themselves but no response

- I will never use them again or recommend them to anyone else. 1 star is far too high, zero at best.