Localcars Reviews 9

Ordered a car for three days to be delivered to our hotel. The car arrived OK but the rep immediately tried to charge me nearly 90 euros extra for insurance. I pointed out that their leaflet said it was 60 so she changed the bill. The car was clean but it had obviously had a rough life. Once we got away we realised that the air conditioning didn't work, the clutch was making a strange noise and slipping. There was an annoying rattle from inside the dashboard that we couldn't get rid of and it had warning lights on the dashboard.
We put up with it because we were already on the way to an
appointment.

We rented a mercedes vito from Localcars at Faro airport. First of all, be very careful and read all the small characters in the contract because we were requested to pay an additional EUR 413 upon withdrawing the car. This was indeed mentioned in the contract but not very obvious so please read the contract carefully before engaging yourself. The car was OK (despite the very low quantity of fuel) but the person who served us was very unpolite and brutal. When we returned the car we were 20 minutes late (not easy to be on time at 6h30 in the morning after a 40 min drive with six children) and he scolded my spouse and I as if we were children, including also because we did not park the car exactly on the right place and we had pushed the wrong button on the parking. I don't think you can treat a 66 year old person like a schoolboy and I will never ever take this company again.

Was not really in the mood to talk
Did not really want to talk

On the 20th of Februar 2025, I rented a car via Carjet (Local Cars, operating under the name of Million car hire) on Faro Airport. In the beginning of my trip I experienced occasional stuckness changing gears although I pressed the clutch completely. But once I was on the highways, these problems seemed to be acceptable. Halfway, I had to fill up the car with petrol since I received it with a low amount so it ran out soon. When I left the main roads and had to start and stop more often, I noticed the gear problems were becoming too much for me to put up with for the rest of the hire.

I called Local Cars and explained the situation. My choices were to return the car to Faro airport to receive a new one. Alternatively a tow truck was offered and I had to take a taxi myself back to the airport to pick up the new car. I chose to make it easy for the company and drive 1.5 hours back to the airport myself the next day since I had to go there anyway. On arrival I heard from the rental company agent that they often had gear problems with this car brand and type (Scoda Fabia).

Again, I received a new car with a low amount of petrol in it, for which the agent made his excuses. He suggested that I would be reimbursed for the petrol by writing the company. So I requested a refund for this petrol (around 90 euros) by e-mail. I received the following reply:

"Following the received email and phone conversations as we have already mention we do not purchase or refund fuel - Fuel has different rates considering the different locations, gas suppliers

We do regret that the problem occurred after the car was with full tank, however you may understand we can not refund fuel.

We may exchange the rented vehicle for a full car and as our colleague mentioned we do not mind meeting you anywhere in Algarve Region

Just a remark that Skoda had no problem, as previous and current renters never have complained, we do know that the clutch needs to be well pressed for changing gear - it is not a problem but a normal situation on skoda. and this was what the staff member explained you from the beginning

Let us know best suitable date to meet you
Kindest Regards

*name*
Local Cars Team"

After 35 years of driving cars, it is obvious to me that a clutch has to be completely pressed when changing gears. Looking back, I can understand why the agent said something about the gear because he must have noticed there was something odd with it.

Instead of reimbursing me 90 euros, I was offered to receive yet another car (no 3), which they would be willing to deliver to my doorstep with a full tank in any part of the Algarve region.

I was surprised by this offer which clearly had more negative financial consequences for Local Cars than just reimbursing me the petrol costs. Also from an ecological point of view this offer was not logical at all. Moreover, I could not take this offer since I already moved to the more northern part of Portugal and in that region their offer was not applicable. And returning the car with an empty tank would also not help, since I received it with a quarter full tank.

I offered Local Cars to refund me the petrol using their normal litre price instead of the litre price I paid. My last two emails to address this situation were left unanswered. There seems to be no exception possible to refund me the petrol money in any other way. Having to change my travel plans drastically was the only solution I was offered. As of now, the petrol money is not refunded. And I have spent 5 hours extra driving, calling and writing emails. Hence my one star evaluation.

Rubbish. Booked a taxi 3 days prior, and they cancelled without letting us know. Shocking.

Absolute scam. Had photos of all damage on car and because a small scuff on bumper was not on their damage declaration form (which was different to our declaration form) have charged €400 even though we had dated pictures of it. Also charged €4.50 for returning it to the same car park it was picked up from. Rude obnoxious staff who must be on commission. When you speak to anyone on the phone they tell you to take it up with the staff and when you speak to them you get told to speak head office. Avoid at all costs.

Overcharged airport charges
Was supposed to pick up car at 2 pm, guy showed up, after 2 phone calls , 45 min later ( no excuses).
Someone backed up in rental car ( obviously her mistake), costs me €250 which was refunded by extra insurance I took, not by them.
Finally, they took €45 of my cc. After complaining’ they’ admitted it was a mistake cause they charged me toll costs from the previous rentee.
Really??

Please Read
A new company used through DoYouSpain. I knew there was something off when they overcharged for airport tax. Collected the car and agreed the damage.
On returning the car existing damage was claimed to be “new”
Subtle difference on paperwork.
Argued up to a point whereby, they hold all my credit card details, they hold a deposit, I have a plane to catch
Not a nice experience, unfortunately I have witnessed it on several occasions with various car hire, my advice, find a good one and use them
This company, Local Cars and Million, avoid like the plague
…..and take photos…….and more photos