Europcar

I run a small tour companny and I travel 6 months out of the year. I rent lots of cars. A year ago I decided to give Europcar a chance. Three cars later, I have resolved never to use them again. EVERYTIME I have rented they have added additional charges post rental. Stuff that is simply outrageous. Believe me, they WILL find something to charge you for even if you have returned the car exactly like you rented it. The cars were excellent, but you will pay more than you think at the end. Don't say that you weren't warned. And why, with so many good rental companies out there, would you take the risk.

The rental car from Nimes had a flat tyre ( while parked overnight). Europcar sent a tow truck which pumped up the tyre and left us to get it checked and fixed. The Garage were unable to do this for 4 days. We did not want to use the car for safety concerns before the tyre was checked. We had to ask Europcar to replace the car and swapped the car at another location which they did but only a smaller model was available.

After the rental we have been invoiced twice for Damages Surcharge and Damage Admin. The extra charges were not presented when we dropped the car off. The two invoices have total extra charges over 44o euros. One is a duplicate and in any case the charges are excessive. We have raised a comlaint and claim but have yet to have the duplicate invoice reimbursed, nor a compensation for the very poor service.

Beware of this business. Bergen Norway

Upon return of my rental car to an unattended parking lot and service desk, I was notified of damage under the front cowling of the car. Three scrapes. I never caused this damage and was told of it, via email, as I was boarding my flight to Paris. I disputed the damage.

EuropCar claims I either should have seen the damage before taking the car out or I caused the damage. I know I didn’t cause the damage and I order to have seen it I would have had to get on my hands and knees to look under the front of the car.

EuropCar also claims that I signed the paperwork admitting to the damage. They are unable and/or unwilling to answer how, if I was boarding the plane when notified of their damage allegation, I was able to sign paperwork in front of a EuropCar employee. EuropCar has simply added the damage allegations to paperwork I had previously signed. Eurocar has falsified paperwork and perjured themselves.

I suspect this is a tactic used against foreigners with third party insurance.

Do not use these people.

I’ll continue to fight these charges and expose their corrupt business

We recently returned from a trip in the UK. We booked a car through economycarrentals.com for a car with Europcar.. When we arrived at Europcar at Heathrow they said they did not have the type of car booked, an economy class vehicle (VW polo or equivalent). They were not apologetic but did pass me off to the manager that said that we could either we pay an additional 14 pounds/day for an upgrade (Ford Focus) or get no car. Of course we took the car, what could we do?

The car was delivered with crumbs on the floor and only 1/4 tank of fuel. They said they could fill it but it would be a 45 minute wait. We resolved that I could return it with 1/4 tank instead a full tank.

I've tried contacting Europcar after the fact and they have no sympathy for my case basically stating that I agreed to the upgrade so that's that.

I rented a car for 2 weeks at Faro Airport and I was charged 104 euros without my consent for roadside assistance. The employee, a man failed to inform me of this. When I complained, the management said that it was my fault for signing the contract. When you arrive at an airport you are tired, you want to get to your destination so you trust the company. Never again, Faro Airport Europcar.

We had to rent a car with my family! We chose Europcar! The best choice ! Nice, clean and spacious car! Service from the staff excellent, the girl Dimitra very helpful and polite. We will have you in our immediate choices

This was an amazing rent a car experience. We have been waited with a brand new van in the airport, taken to the car park, given a brand new car that was actually an upgrade to what we have booked and Natasa has made everything so easy and seamless! Couldn’t feel more welcome arriving in Greece to enjoy this beautiful country! Highly recommended!

The person I dealt with at Manchester airport could not have been more helpful we hired after flying on the 5th January & required to pick up our own car at Glasgow airport. she made sure we were happy with the car before leaving us and gave us directions to get onto the motorway and on our way. Everything was stress free, many thanks, will be using you again

This review pertains to the OR Tambo Branch, however, this may be a widespread problem.

I realised I was charged more than what's expected when I received my credit card statement. I requested an invoice to check the extra charges, only to find out I was charged an extra day. I submitted my documents to customer services via Twitter showing I collected the car 2 minutes after the pick-up time. I was expecting a speedy resolution, however, my case was passed on to the South African branch. I hired the car in March, we are now in November ... and you guessed right, it's not yet settled and I am waiting for a conclusion and of course, a refund. Now let me make you aware of the rest of my unbiased experience ...

The customer-facing staff who dealt with me was nice, no issues at all. The other chap next to me was just too polite to challenge the staff who was just openly rude to them. 3 words to describe the member of staff - condescending, rude, abrupt. The welcoming skills, interaction and body language were just "off". Let's go to the handover of the hired car - staff was smartly dressed, helpful (overly) with our luggage, then he sat on the driver's seat, stating all the obvious as if it's your first time driving a car, then after about 20 mins (you will feel uncomfortable during this time because of the unnecessary chit chat and your itinerary), he will then extort money from you. I will not use the word "tip" because with the way he behaved at that very moment, it was extortion. He wouldn't move away from the driver seat until we ended giving him foreign currency despite explaining that we do not have any local currency yet. It was an unnerving experience. Don't make excuses that you have not withdrawn any local currency because you are in a rush to get on your way, it WILL NOT WORK. I reported this to Europcar South Africa customer services when we arrived back in the UK. We received confirmation that this was forwarded to OR Tambo branch manager and that was the end of it. Based on my experience, EUROPCAR, a well-known worldwide company terribly failed in addressing my concerns promptly despite clear pieces of evidence presented to them, therefore, I strongly recommend that you steer clear of EUROPCAR and find another car hire provider regardless of location as this doesn't seem to make any difference. EUROPCAR is now blacklisted in my books, which is a first ... and in the books of my friends, relatives, work colleagues and their friends, relatives and work colleagues ... and so on and so forth. One insignificant customer is not a big loss, you may say.

Europcar took TWO YEARS to notify me of a missed payment when returning a vehicle to one of their rental depots in Amsterdam.It was rented and dropped off in good faith that my card details were on file and Europcar would deduct the amount.

It's not the customers responsibility to ensure payment is taken correctly, the onus is on the organisation to ensure payments are processed correctly. Utterly ridiculous that it took this long.

When they finally decided to get in contact, it was over email, with spelling and grammar errors, which was assumed to be a phishing email.

Will not deal with Europcar again the future nor recommend their service to others.