Nationwide Vehicle Rentals Reviews 1,466

TrustScore 2 out of 5

2.2

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Review summary

Based on reviews, created with AI

Most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many customers expressed significant dissatisfaction with the refund process, frequently reporting long delays or complete failure to receive their deposits back, even after several months. People also found it nearly impossible to contact the company, with phone calls often going unanswered or being disconnected, and emails being ignored. This lack of communication extended to customer service, which many found unhelpful when they did manage to get through. However, some people were satisfied with the service, praising the straightforward booking process, free delivery, and the quality of the vehicles. A few other people also felt that the delivery service was reliable and appreciated the flexibility with pickup and return times.

What people talk about most

Service

Consumers find service to be ambiguous, with many reporting extremely negative experiences such as vehicles... See more

Refund

Customers consistently express significant dissatisfaction with the refund process. Many reviewers report not... See more

Customer communications

Clients share negative opinions on contact, consistently reporting extreme difficulty reaching the company.... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about delivery service. While some customers reported positive... See more

Customer service

Customers consistently express extreme dissatisfaction with customer service. Many report an inability to... See more

Based on these reviews

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Delivered a vehicle which was 37,000 miles overdue a service. After a lengthy drive it became apparent there was a slow puncture (our issue), but that the tyre was also leaking because of a faul... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Wondering if they’ve gone bust, as we didn’t receive the LV van we booked on moving day. Thankfully we had an enterprise up the road so booked a van with them instrad. The fee and deposit are yet to b... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BEWARE THEY WILL NEVER GIVE DEPOSIT BACK THEY ARE FRAUD WITH 16 PENDING JUDGEMENTS !!!! This company is the biggest fraud. I cancelled my booking and was being told will get refund back in 28days.... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Like so many others have found, vehicles are ok, if really battered. The problem is you don’t get your £500 deposit back, so the real cost of rental is significantly higher than expected. It is impo... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nationwide Vehicle Rentals never disappoints. I’ve used them multiple times and every experience has been smooth and hassle-free. This time, I booked a van for some heavy lifting across town and it wa... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Changed my booking last minute due to flight cancellation - staff were incredibly helpful. Found me the perfect alternative vehicle with no extra charges. Service that goes above and beyond!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Like many other reviews we have not received our deposit back. (Wish I had looked on here before hiring from this company). We are a small Scout group, and hire 2 minibuses end of July 25. Since then... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They will not give us our £500 deposit back. Despite numerous emails and even a promise the refund had been processed, we still haven't received. If a guy called Allen Iverson tells you it has been pr... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Like so many others have found, vehicles are ok, if really battered. The problem is you don’t get your £250 deposit back, so the real cost of rental is significantly higher than expected. It is imposs... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

So, ths is the 2nd time I've used NVR, they were late wth the deposit first time round but I stupidly gave them the benefit of the doubt. This tme round it's been worse and I've tried caling... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nationwide Vehicle Rentals saved the day when my car broke down. They delivered a replacement within hours—clean, modern, and ready to go. Brilliant service!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BEWARE: Refuse to refund £500 deposit (Charity funds) I am writing this to warn anyone considering renting from this company. We rented a van in June 2025, and as of February 2026, they still have... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful experience. Van was really battered but then for the collection they kept changing their minds on. when they would collect despite us agreeing a very specific pick up date / time. To add to this... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Hired a mini bus months ago for a charity fund raising event. They told us the afternoon before (less than 24 hours) that the vehicle was no longer available & the booking was cancelled. No pho... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Deposit withheld for no reason - also noted accounts were submitted late. These charlatans only paid once I secured a CCJ against them and was in the process of securing a Warrant of Control to have t... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Read this carefully. Do not use this company! I am a business journalist (BBC, ITN, Reuters, Money Channel, Euronews). I rented a van from NVR in the summer. It was not fit for purpose. Many issues... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

London to John O'Groats with multiple stops. Unlimited mileage meant no route restrictions. Comfortable seats made the long drive enjoyable!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

On a work visa - they expertly handled my overseas license. Other companies refused but Nationwide made it simple. Lifesaver for expats!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booked 3 luxury cars for our big day. Flawless timing and professional drivers. Vehicles were immaculate. Made our wedding transport completely stress-free!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This company makes vehicle hire effortless. From booking online to returning the van, everything was smooth and efficient. No hidden surprises, just great service.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I hired a vehicle for 24 hours on 27th June 2025. The vehicle broke down during that 24 hour period and The AA ran diagnostics and found multiple intermittent faults which deemed the vehicle not fit... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nationwide Vehicle Rentals made my business trip a breeze. The car was fuel-efficient, GPS-equipped, and comfortable for long drives. Highly dependable company!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Robbers, Thief's stay away from this company it looks like they give you a good price but then they keep your deposit so the price including deposit is not cheap at all. We returned our vehicle 3 mon... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Hired classic Rolls Royce for daughter's wedding. Impeccably maintained and chauffeur was superb. Made stunning wedding photos. Worth every penny!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID!! Terrible company. Terrible communication. The van delivery was fine initially but didn’t pick up the van until two days later and that was with me chasing. We paid the deposit in July and stil... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booked a one-way rental for a relocation, and it couldn’t have gone smoother. Minimal fees, easy drop-off, and a reliable vehicle for the whole trip.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I am still waiting (and I won't get) my £2750 deposit back from last August (2025) against a fairly shabby mini bus - AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS - I am in small court arena trying to get my money... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have been dealing with customer services for a £250 returning drposit since I hired a van in March 2025. I received confirmation that the deposit was being returned in early April. Very bad that my... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

STEER CLEAR! 0 STARS Requested a Luton van for a house move and firstly the delivery was delayed due to a "mechanical error" with the vehicle, so they said they would deliver the following d... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Giving one star only because I can't give 0. My deposit money is still outstanding, have not received a single pound back and I have chased this multiple times through their accountancy team, who ha... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Like every other 1* review I'm waiting for a deposit to be returned after more than 6 weeks. In my case Allen Iverson" has even stopped replying to my emails... If any other reviewers still have outs... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible company. Dishonest and unprofessional. Car hire good but I’m still waiting for my deposit which was a substantial amount as I used them for 4weeks while holidaying in UK. They email me saying... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not use as they withhold the deposit I eventually got it back in 2024 after chasing for two months . Used them again this year had a rental for 4 months returned in September 2025 I am still chasi... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t believe how easy it was to book! Within minutes I had a car reserved, and it was delivered right to me. Professional service and affordable pricing.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

TLDR - Never again, avoid like the plague ! The good bits first: Van arrived (albeit later than booked). It was fine for the job and nothing broke. The bad bits: It should have been collect... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Car broke down before crucial meeting. Nationwide delivered replacement within 2 hours! Even threw in free sat nav. Saved my important business presentation!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely appalling. Don’t go near them. We hired a van for Friday evening so we could move our friends to London. An hour before the van was due to be delivered they called and said they couldn’t de... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible experience, I have been chasing them for my £750 deposit for over 2 months now. They don’t reply to any emails and phone calls. It seems to be a pattern with them as I read several other revi... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dishonest! The truck we hired had a faulty wire on the tail lift which became apparent during our journey. They told us this was a common fault and would send someone to fix it as it's quicker than... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Leaving aside that the van hired to us looked like it had been used for troop movements in an urban war zone, it was at least reliable and all the damage properly recorded. The van was collected a... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booked a premium car for an important business meeting and it didn’t disappoint. The vehicle was immaculate, comfortable, and made a great impression. Smooth pickup and excellent service throughout.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid this company if you have any desire to get your deposit back. The van I hired was delivered late, had no spare (as the previous renter had a puncture and it had just been left in the cab) a... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Company could not supply reserved vehicle on the day. The replacement was so late we lost a day of rental.on return the van was also late being inked after several delays. The company rep had no compa... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I appreciated how flexible they were with pickup and return times. The van was clean, reliable, and spacious enough for all my moving boxes.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I booked a Mercedes C class and paid a GBP 1000 deposit, was given a kia Sportage. I was promised in writing that the companu would refund the digference in the car hre. The vehicle was used for one d... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No issue with booking or the car being delivered and collected. No problem with the car. My issue is I have been waiting since 9th June to receive my deposit back (they said it would be 7-10 days). I... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I’ve used many rental services before, but none as reliable as this. The entire process was transparent, and the vehicle was in excellent shape.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not use this company. Absolutely horrific. Vehicle smelt horrible and looked like it was just hosed out. Im still waiting for my deposit which it seems like it will never return. I will be contacti... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Warning regarding Nationwide Vehicle Rentals (nvr.co.uk) I am posting this to warn other families and businesses. We hired a vehicle for a family trip to France and paid a £500 security depo... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely terrible experience with National Vehicle Rentals. We hired a van in August and paid a £250 deposit, which was confirmed for refund after the vehicle was returned with no damage. It’s no... See more


Company details

  1. Car Rental Agency

Written by the company

The UK's favourite in Car, Van & Minibus hire, with a FREE delivery & collection with each rental.


Contact info

2.2

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

1K reviews

5-star
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1-star

Replied to 7% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Misleading, Unreliable, and Poor Customer Service

RE: NVR34710A29374
I booked a 9‑seater vehicle with Nationwide Vehicle Rentals nearly two months in advance for a critical family trip. At the last minute, they cancelled my booking, claiming there were “no alternatives available.” This left me scrambling for accessible transport during the busiest travel period of the year.
Their customer service is appalling — phone lines that never get answered even after waiting over an hour, dismissive emails, and a refusal to provide proper compensation. To make matters worse, while telling me no vehicles were available, their own website was still advertising the exact same 9‑seater (Mercedes Vito) for the dates I needed. That is misleading and feels fraudulent.
A refund alone does not cover the stress, wasted time, and disruption caused. Offering a token £50 voucher is insulting when I had to face the risk of losing my trip altogether.
Nationwide Vehicle Rentals failed to deliver the service promised, misrepresented availability, and showed no accountability. I will be escalating this to Trading Standards and strongly advise others to avoid this company.

December 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BEWARE THEY WILL NEVER GIVE DEPOSIT…

BEWARE THEY WILL NEVER GIVE DEPOSIT BACK THEY ARE FRAUD WITH 16 PENDING JUDGEMENTS !!!!
This company is the biggest fraud. I cancelled my booking and was being told will get refund back in 28days.
Nothing happend and 40days past by. I sent them many emails on reservations and customer service no response and called many times on the 0300 number which noone picks up. Then I sent final email after reading some trust pilot review and mentioned Court Action in subject and I got response and got money back.

November 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not use as they withhold the deposit…

Do not use as they withhold the deposit I eventually got it back in 2024 after chasing for two months . Used them again this year had a rental for 4 months returned in September 2025 I am still chasing for the deposit of £250 they do not answer emails, phone etc . I have now threatened with court action still no response.
My advice would be do not use.

September 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best in the business

I’ve rented from Nationwide multiple times now, and they never disappoint. Always punctual, professional, and dependable. Truly the best in the business.

November 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Still not returned deposit

Leaving aside that the van hired to us looked like it had been used for troop movements in an urban war zone, it was at least reliable and all the damage properly recorded.
The van was collected a day late and confirmed that no additional damage had been done during the hire period.
Almost 3 months on, Nationwide are still to return the deposit and not responding to any requests for its return.
I can only conclude the company is exceptionally poor, cannot be trusted in any shape or form and are to be avoided at all costs.
Use Enterprise instead - great organisation - avoid Nationwide.

September 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not use this company

Do not use this company. I reserved a van on Monday evening and by Thursday morning I still had no confirmation. During this time I called twice and was told I'd be contacted ASAP.
I had to sort a van elsewhere at very short notice. I wish I had read the reviews beforehand.

November 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Love it!

I rented an electric vehicle for the first time, and the staff guided me through everything. Charging was easy, and the ride was whisper-quiet. Loved it!

November 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant service!

Nationwide Vehicle Rentals saved the day when my car broke down. They delivered a replacement within hours—clean, modern, and ready to go. Brilliant service!

November 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Are they still solvent?

Wondering if they’ve gone bust, as we didn’t receive the LV van we booked on moving day. Thankfully we had an enterprise up the road so booked a van with them instrad. The fee and deposit are yet to be reimbursed by NVR despite chasers- will next contact my credit card company to arrange a refund as calls and emails ignored

November 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - SCUMBAGS

Absolute thieves. We made 2 bookings with them - they haven't returned the deposit for either (it's been over a month since the end of the second booking). On the 2nd booking they delivered a faulty van 6 hours late. We called the AA as per their instructions. We were told not to drive the van and sent the AA report to this company. Response told us that a faulty check engine light is standard for this van model and to carry on driving despite AA person's advice to not drive it.

Had to spend more money to arrange alternative man with vans instead. Since then, I've emailed the complaints team 10 times, rang the useless front desk multiple times (they put you on hold to pass you through to complaints and then pretend no one's answering). I've sent them a formal letter of complaint via special delivery after consulting Citizen's Advice. All to ask for a refund on the 2nd booking and to get our deposits back.

I've just called Citizen's Advice again - they advised me to use Trust Online to check if this company had outstanding court orders/fines before I start court proceedings as they might not have enough money to pay a refund back (so going via my bank might be a better route). I paid a small fee to do so and found out that this company has 13 outstanding judgements - presumably from previous customers who were as irate about their service as I am.

It is utterly inconceivable that they're still allowed to trade. Now trying to scrape money back via bank as it seems unlikely that they'll pay anything even despite court orders.

I wouldn't have even given them one star, more like -10, truly awful scam artists.

September 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

Well where do I start, 9 Seater van arrived to find tyre pressure warning light on, and service light saying 300 miles due, rang the driver who dropped it off he said not to worry as tyres have been checked, so we went on are travels Bearing in mind we told the company we were doing at least 1300 miles tyres kept going down, service light on everyday as I had done over 300 miles to our destination, We came home expecting the van to be collected next day to find van still with me for nearly two weeks later, endless phone calls,tried contacting the company on the phone for a least an hour before picking up, eventually they came for it, told I would get my 500 refund waited for weeks,So I ended up ringing my bank who got involved and stopped there payment they tried contacting the company to no avail, and after nearly 2 months I just got back my full money for the deposit and the rental of the van in full Guys you need to contact your banks

September 12, 2025
Unprompted review

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