Review Time
After years of loyal patronage without any issues, I was unexpectedly charged for a tyre puncture that was not my fault. Regular maintenance checks should have prevented such occurrences. Additionally, an engine warning light was illuminated by the time I returned the vehicle. Despite promptly communicating with the company upon discovering the puncture and taking time out of my journey to have it repaired at a garage, I was charged £14 for the tyre repair and £40 for administrative fees. The customer service was unsatisfactory, as I received a charge instead of compensation for the inconvenience. It's important to note that the tyre deflation was not apparent within the first 24 hours of vehicle pickup, and it was only on the second day that I noticed and reported it. The vehicle's condition at pickup was substandard, posing a safety risk. For future renters, I recommend documenting the vehicle's condition through a video at the time of pickup. Be aware that if any issues arise after 24 hours that are not your fault, the company's response may be unsatisfactory and result in unwarranted charges. The fuel was also not full on pick up and they told me I would receive 10 credit. This obviously never happened..I've obviously emailed multiple times to complain so their reply to this review means nothing.
Do not book a car rental with Eurocar, Heathrow Airport, didn't explain the 150.00 pound upgrade fee was per daily fee, not a one off fee, I wanted to hire the car for 25 days, not buy it.Eurocar didn't have the curtesy to ask whether the rental was satisfactory at the end. Didn't refund the fee of 1800.00 pound we had already paid for the original car we had booked. Waited for 4 hours for a recovery truck to arrive because we had a flat tire, no spare tire in the vehicle, absolutely appalling backup service
The original problem with Europcar happened May 18 but was in conjunction with Mercedes and carried on for 5 months. Europcar had a simple task - to deliver a hire car to a Mercedes dealership in Pembroke where we waiting as our car needed attention. All agreed at noon and advised ETA of 14-20 pm. No car had arrived at 15-30 so obviously called to enquire. Told that they would contact the driver to confirm ETA. The news was somewhat baffling - no car had been dispatched and this was down to Mercedes not approving the order. Their suggestion was that a taxi would take us to Swansea - a trip of say 2 hours - and we could then drive back to our hotel - another 90 mins. We obviously declined the offer and our hire car eventually arrived at our hotel Sunday mid morning. Over the next 5 months dealing with Mercedes Benz Customer Service, it became very clear that the excuse about the non arrival of the car being down to MB was a complete lie. So Europcar came up with another excuse. That also was a complete lie. But good luck to Europcar they just kept going and came up with another excuse this time blaming us that our credit card details had not arrived in time. Hey,ho in seconds we managed to send visual evidence that this third attempt was also a lie. In the end, MB after 5 months of deliberation finally, finally realised that they were being lied to and the case wassorted in our favour. In a way, I was a little disappointed when it ended because it was just fascinating to try and guess what Europcar would create as their next excuse. Bad ethics, no apologies - Europcar is a Company to avoid at all costs. There are lots of hire companies out there and my advise is to choose any other than Europcar. Very easy to see why their customer ratings are so low. Almost impossible to try and fathom why Mercedes has chosen them as a partner. Apologies for long note - cathartic...Got the standard response from Europcar giving me an email address to respond. Tried that and the address is blocked. You just could not make this stuff up. Total shambles...
Hired a car recently from them. Never again.Hired for a few days when I got a call from Europcar telling me it was due back This morning - a Wednesday (15th May )- I was sure I had hired the car until the 16th as the 15th was the date of my stepmothers funeral) I explained this to the guy on the phone. He was adamant that I return the car. I told him I can't as I am going to the funeral within 2 hours and that I am more than happy to extend the hire. he was adamant that I return the car - again I reminded him that I an going to my mothers funeral in the next hour or so. He absolutely refused to let me have the car longer and insisted I return it, stating that I wouldn't be insured to drive it and he will send a flatbed truck to collect it.All this rather than extend the hire.Europcar wouldn't extend the hire so I can go to my mothers funeral. I would not touch these Ba----s with a bargepole.In fairness to the guys that work at their place in Luton airport they were nice, helpful guys but the man on the phone seemed to be from some head office somewhere.Luckily the drop off place at Luton has other car rental firms there and the guys at Avis sorted me out a car. I have been hiring ever since from them and they are great.Europcar shot themselves in the foot because I am hiring for 6 months due to issues with a collision with my own car and I have spent £4000 on hire cars so far but like I said - wouldn't touch these heartless ba----ds with a bargepole.I got to my mothers funeral as my cousin was reading the eulogy. Thanks Europcar.
I strongly urge people to insist on being given a copy of their car rental agreement upon collection. I wasn't given one and of course, a dispute arises, with 450 pounds deducted from my credit card I had to leave with them. This was 2 days after I had returned the car and was given a clear "Statement of Return". I had reinterated upon collection that I had no further need of any insurance but miraculously my signature appeared on their rental agreement.This was a very expensive lesson for me and I still think it is a very sneaky way to do business. I would not recommend this company(Gatwick Airport) and urge any future car rentals to be aware, photograph the car before leaving, and insist on a copy of the rental agreement. My Travel Agent and the Driveaway agent could not do anything to help me.
FOLLOW UP ON A PREVIOUS REVIEW. FYI the 1 star is only there to be able to submit a review, It should be Zero. So after writing my first review, which I expressed my total dissatisfaction, European send me an email asking can they have another chance to help fix the concern. I replied to them and they have failed to respond backTHIEVES!.
If you are hring a car in Northern Ireland and you plan on crossing the boder - do not even think about using Europcar.All companies have a cross border fee - and all the other companies have a one off £25 fee.Not Europcar - I was hit with £133 just to stay one night in the Republic.I complained but the complaint was not addressed - just parroted that these are their terms and conjditions. Nearly doubled the car hire just to cross the border.UPDATEHello Europcar, I have emailed as advised, had my email acknowledged, but nothing else from your customer service team. If i do get a response I will again update, but it has been nearly 2 weeks
Booked car with Stirling Scotland branch. Emailed day before from Europcar to say everything was ready. Made 2 mile journey to Stirling office and told no car available.Manageress scowley and attitude was “ it couldn’t be helped. I was extremely annoyed and asked why I was not contacted before I had to make my way there. Said they didn’t have my number or email - this was rubbish as they had both and could easily have contacted me. I had to ask for taxi to be called to take me back. Went to Enterprise Cars what a contrast! Enterprise were superb. Very friendly and efficient staff. Europcar should be closed down. A useless company. Keep away!
Would definitely not recommend. While I appreciate the temptation to use Europcar as they are a known brand and have lots of outlets. However, I would strongly advise using a different rental company based on my experience.Currently in the middle of a nightmare trying to get money back from the company. After unfortunately picking up a speeding ticket in France, I was contacted by the French driving authorities directly to pay the ticket (Europcar must have given them my details). So I paid the ticket as directed. However, Europcar decided that they would also charge me for the same ticket, despite clearly not actually paying it on behalf. After contacting the English customer service desk, I was told they can't help me and I needed to get in touch with the French team (you can imagine how difficult that has been). Two months later, I am still waiting to receive the money that the company has wrongly charged me.
Beware - Underhand Upgrade Sales and Vehicle Damage Claims! Hired vehicle for a week from Gatwick Airport, desk agent offered a car upgrade stating £40 only, he listened to our family discussion that it was only £40 more and we agreed. In fact this was a daily cost, the agent made no attempt to correct our mistake and we didn’t fully check the upgrade agreement to spot his underhand technique. Following the hire we were also invoiced for new damage to the car, luckily we had photographic evidence that proved the damage was existing damage and the invoice was cancelled. An extremely disappointing and stressful service in which we felt Europcar were only interested in getting as much money out of us as possible. Never again! We complained to Europcar and their answer was the agents word against ours, whatever happened to the customer is always right.
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