Travelling from Derby to Margate Kent on a work project, a broken tyre valve left me stranded in Hythe. I contacted the Folkstone Thrifty branch and a lady by the Name of Paula. went above and beyo... See more
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Review summary
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What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
First time using Thrifty and was very impressed. Particular thanks to Noel at Bristol North - super friendly, explained everything really clearly and kindly gave us an upgrade that was much appreciate... See more
Company replied
We hired a car from Thrifty in Aylesbury, Bucks over the weekend. Easy to book online and by far the cheapest of all online options. We dealt with Mohammed Tayub, rental agent at the desk. He was so h... See more
Company replied
A really good customer service from Thrifty Basildon, original car was not available, so was upgraded F.O.C. staff very friendly & extremely helpful, highly recommend this company.
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Thrifty Car Rental can offer a wide range of hire cars and vans within the UK. We cater for customers who require manual or automatic, compact or economy through to prestige and luxury cars and vans. Reserve your hire car or van online and see how much you could save with Thrifty Car Rental.
Contact info
Scot House, Matford Park Road,, EX2 8AW, Exeter, United Kingdom
- customer.service@thrifty.co.uk
- www.thrifty.co.uk
3.6
Average
1K reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 94% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
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Very friendly service from abir as soon…
Very friendly service from abir as soon a I walked through the door, definitely would recommend this branch
March 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Tayyib,
Taking the time to leave such a great review about your hire , has really made our day. We always aim to delight our customers with our customer service and our attention to detail. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
We picked up a car from Alicante…
We picked up a car from Alicante airport. At the desk they pressured us into purchasing an extra damage waiver policy for £180.00 despite us arguing that we already had a policy with AXA and are already covered. They lied and said that our existing policy would not cover us for any damage to the vehicle. I had 2 kids with me and needed to get going quickly so just said yes to the extra excess but only later realised that this is a common Thrifty scam. There were no child seats in the car that we had booked so had to queue again to get those. I couldn't fit the child seat so I went and asked for help at the desk and was told that they can't help me, I basically had to beg to get help because one of the ISO fixings was stuck and wouldn't release - the guy at the desk came over to the car and sort of angrily banged the seat until it released and just seemed really annoyed that I'd bothered him. I left feeling horrible. Well done thrifty for getting an extra £180 out of me but I will never in my life rent with thrifty again.
March 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are the UK franchise of Thrifty, and we only have information for rentals that have taken place or are due to take place in the UK. Unfortunately, this limits us in being able to address the issues which you faced. To ensure your comments reach the correct people you can add your review here https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/thrifty.es
Warm regards,
The Switch Team
John in the bournemouth branch .was…
John in the bournemouth branch .was very helpful and friendly helped me to sort my paper work out .I would recommend to my friends .very satisfied customer
March 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that John provided you with outstanding service. Our team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our customers have a positive experience, and your feedback is a great affirmation of their hard work. If there’s anything you need or any way we can make your next visit even better, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Great service very easy and friendly to…
Great service very easy and friendly to deal with especially Paul
February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Paul directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Great service can't go wrong 5 ⭐
February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Daryl,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad to hear that you were satisfied with our rental. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service, and your feedback is a great encouragement to us.
Warm regards,
The Switch Team
Excellent service
Excellent service, Brian at the Stirchley branch, kindly ran through all the details and was super helpful. Van was in excellent condition, fully auto with all the gadgets and a nice smooth drive. A very detailed survey with pictures of the vehicle both at collection and return.
February 26, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Jonathan,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience at our branch. We're so glad to hear that Brian and the team was able to assist you. We’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to them—they’ll be thrilled to know they made such a positive impact! We’re grateful for your support and look forward to serving you again soon.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Brian directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
VILE RENTAL BEWARE
Not for me!!! Accused of stone chip on windscreen & scratches to bodywork! Only used car twice now want me to pay excess £500! Dirty… B stards
February 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Wayne,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We know additional charges are never what you want to see at the end of your rental. Please contact our insurance team at insurance.department@thrifty.co.uk who will be able to confirm if any damage charges have been applied.
Kind Regards,
The Switch Team
Would use Thrifty over europcar
Brilliant experience with Thrifty. Really nice car. High spec. Europcar was uncomfortable. Issues with them. I would recommend Thrifty without question. Really nice people in their customer service department also. Thank you. Paisley branch
February 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi,
Thank you so much for your kind review! ! It’s always a pleasure to hear when our customers enjoy their experience. Your positive words mean a lot to our team, who works hard to provide the best possible service. We look forward to your next visit and can’t wait to continue serving you!
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Great service
Great service. Van was lovely to drive. Staff were so helpful, Allan in particular was very patient when the DVLA authentication took a bit longer than expected and we had to call them to sort out the issues. Would use again
February 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for your kind review! It’s always a pleasure to hear when our customers enjoy their experience. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time you visit. Thanks for choosing to rent with us.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
5 stars
5 stars – Reliable and professional service at Brighton branch
Over the past few months, I have rented multiple vehicles (vans and cars) from Thrifty Car and Van Rental at the Brighton Trafalgar Street branch for various business and personal needs. The service has been consistently excellent.
Vehicles are always provided clean, on time, and in good condition. The process is straightforward, with transparent pricing and no unexpected fees.
Particular thanks go to the manager, Seven, who has been especially accommodating, professional, and friendly on every occasion. He listens attentively to requirements, offers practical advice without pressure, and efficiently handles any adjustments or queries.
I will continue to use this branch for future rentals and highly recommend their service. 5/5.
February 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Mr Townsend,
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you were impressed with our efficient and high-quality service. We truly appreciate your loyalty and are so grateful to have you as a long-time customer. Your feedback always means a lot to us, and we’re thrilled to know that we continue to meet your expectations.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Seamless experience
Seamless experience, really helpful staff who know how to treat customers. Highly recommended. Thanks to Abir and Yasir
February 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Az,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Abir and Yasir directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Insurance scammers
Insurance scammers. You can’t take the standard insurance if you don’t have a credit card (which many people don’t) so they just give you the premium without advising how much it will be. £130 taken from my account without any agreement for a days car hire. Absolute joke - they will be delighted that they are £130 up, but I’ll never book car hire with them ever again and I’ve told at least 10 people about the experience.
February 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Darren,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m sorry to hear how frustrating this situation has been for you. We understand unexpected charges are never something you want to see at the end of a rental. We would like to look at this in more detail for you, please get in touch at customer.service@switchcarrental.co.uk
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Izzy,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Steve directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Warm regards,
The Switch Team
Adnan in Stirchley has been very…
Adnan in Stirchley has been very helpful, polite and efficient
February 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Suzanne,
We truly appreciate your kind feedback! It’s always a pleasure to hear when our customers enjoy their experience. . The team works hard to ensure every customer feels valued, and we’re thrilled that you noticed their dedication and care. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time you visit us.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Really lovely experience with Abir
Really lovely experience with Abir. Friendly, helpful and swift!
February 10, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We're glad to hear you had a great experience and found our team helpful. Your feedback is appreciated, and we hope to be of help again soon!
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Van Rental - Bristol North
Big shout to Noel, Tamas and Harry. Friendly customer service backed up by a no fuss rental - just what you need during a house move. Definitely recommend this team and their extended team on the forecourt.
February 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Nelly,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience at our Bristol North branch. Our team works hard to ensure every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of, and we’re glad it shows. We look forward to your next visit and can’t wait to continue serving you!
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Allan was extremely helpful
Allan was extremely helpful, explained everything and was very efficient
February 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Teresa,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's always great to hear when our team have made a great impression. We would love to pass this feedback onto Allan directly so please let us know which location your rental was from.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
Dealt with Abir Hussain who had Great…
Dealt with Abir Hussain who had Great communication and great service very easy to deal with.
February 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Zee,
We truly appreciate your kind feedback! It’s always a pleasure to hear when our customers enjoy their experience. Your positive words mean a lot to our team, who works hard to provide the best possible service. We look forward to your next visit and can’t wait to continue serving you!
Warm regards,
The Switch Team
Brand new car
Brand new car, no fuss paperwork nice guy serving me good value
Abir stirchley looked after me, Good guy
February 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Thrifty Car and Van Rental UK
Hi Paul,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad to hear that you were satisfied with our rental. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service, and your feedback is a great encouragement to us. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Best regards,
The Switch Team
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