Auto Europe UK Reviews 

I was sold their damage collision waiver policy along with my car hire by Auto Europe and they are refusing to refund me damage caused to my hire car by a 3rd party. They are saying that the invoice provided by the hire car firm doesn't list all of the damages when it clearly states damage to the front bumper. As a result I'm over £2,000 out of pocket and have sent dozens of email but Auto Europe are now ignoring all my emails. Total scam company and I'll be making it my life's mission to discuss my experience on every single social media and review site on planet earth.

My flight was delayed and by the time I managed to speak to the company my booking had been cancelled. They wanted more than £1000 to rebook, so I had to find another car hire company. Auto Europe charged me £100 for 'administration'. Trying to complain has taken weeks of my time and I have been treated with total contempt.

The car that was given to us clearly hadn’t been cleaned inside, there were multiple large stains on the seats and it smelt like wet dogs. There were also dog hairs.
We complained by email on our return (as directed by car hire depot in France), but had no response. I telephoned and spoke to a very unhelpful person who refused to speak with me as although I had booked car, I hadn’t driven it. I emailed twice more - completing their online forms but 3.5 months on still have had no reply at all.

Beware. Initially all seemed good, in terms of vehicle rental price paid upfront and online service. However, upon collecting the car, my problems began. Whilst auto-europe's documents give tips for a 'great experience' the wording of their documents is very misleading. The paperwork suggests a 'physical driver's license and credit card are needed at time of collection'......this should additionally say 'physical driver's license AND physical credit card'. I only had a virtual digital credit card on my phone so the pickup desk insisted I pay an additional £400 on top of the rental price to buy further insurance to cover them for use of my virtual digital credit card. The kicker being they were then very happy to accept my virtual digital card for that payment. On Auto-Europe's documentation, there is no mention of 'physical credit card' until page 3 of their documents - stating virtual cards might not be accepted....very ambiguous indeed. I complained to Auto-Europe who didnt seem to take any responsibility for the lack of clarity in their wordings, only sending their same terms back to me as evidence. They also mentioned in their booking confirmation email that an international driving permit would be required - which isnt easy to get hold of these days - only to find the pickup desk didnt even ask to see it. At the time of rental I asked if I could change the booking name to my wife (who did have a physical credit card with her) however this wasnt allowed. I then asked if we could add her as a named driver (at additional daily cost) in order to use her credit card, this also was not allowed. If I cancelled the booking I would lose all of the rental already paid of £180. I shall not be using their services again and can only advise you to take care in reading all terms line by line to avoid extortionate additional costs if you choose to use them.

Making the booking was easy. And when I collected the car, I got exactly what I had agreed to - no changes or hidden extras.

Terrible company , was all fine with the prices etc but I went for my car and was denied because of something to do with my address so I didn’t get the car , I called up and was denied a refund , a whole 150£ gone just like that , never use this company because you won’t get a penny back if u don’t get the car for some reason

I'll never use this company again. They have deliberately withheld an insurance refund, despite their own obligation under their Terms and Conditions. If you have any issues they will not respond and avoid any engagement. They have no UK office and are simply only interested profit. They may be cheap, because they are cheap.

Booked a car through Auto Europe online. Picked up at Gatwick airport in London. Their supplier (Europcar) totally ripped us off with unwanted and extra coverage through deceptive pressure tactics. This booking costed us almost double compared to original booking. Auto Europe refused to help us after the fact. DON'T book with them and don't use Europcar as they are crooks!

I initially hired the car for a two week rental in the USA. Even l typed the correct times for collection it kept on reverting to 1000. I reported the glitch and was quite happy to go ahead with the rental. Then they increased the price by a £100. I was not being ripped off and cancelled the rental. My money was refunded and they hit me with a £60 miscellaneous charge. This is theft. I was promised a full refund no quibbles. Do not use this company...ever!

Hidden charges not explained correctly.cheaper and easier to book directly with the rental company providing the vehicle and I would definitely not use again
Our party booked two cards but despite paying well in advance Hertz would not accept the payment card used. Auto Europe were of no help

I booked a rental car in Warsaw through Auto Europe (Voucher 818702037). The supplier was Flex To Go. When I arrived at the airport on 25 October 2025, Flex To Go refused to release the vehicle because my credit card had my initial + surname rather than my full first and last name. This specific requirement was not clearly disclosed at the time of booking. I had all other documentation and was left with no car, which forced me to arrange last-minute alternative transport for my family at additional cost. Auto Europe have refused to resolve this directly and instead told me to contact my credit card issuer for a chargeback. Extremely poor customer care from both companies – I paid in full but received no service. I will not be using either of them again.

I am 81 years and booked a car hire with Hertz at Belfast Airport via Auto Europe. When I arrived at Belfast Airport I was informed by Hertz that the maximum age for hiring a car is 79 years.They declined the booking.
Hertz referred me to Europcar who will accept over 80's for car hire. I have a separate annual car insurance that will pay for any excess damage etc..
Unfortunately Europcar policy is that they will only accept this type of policy with prior knowledge and approval and I was therefore forced into taking out an 8 days full cover policy which cost £390.We were touring Northern Island and needed a car. I telephoned Auto Europe that evening and related the above facts. Their operator agreed to refund the cost of the booking but insisted that they would retain a £100 cancellation fee. I declined to accept this offer.
I have subsequently complained to Auto Europe requesting a contribution towards the £390. They have refunded me the entire amount of the booking and I quote from their reply to the £390 insurance cost " This extra is not covered by Auto Europe and we respectfully decline to look into this matter further". Do not use this company.

Good prices, clear booking information.

Do not use this company, fraudulent company who will steal your money and give incorrect quotes without repaying them. Will then completely ignore you for months about it because they know they're wrong. I am taking them to court over this currently. DO NOT EVER use this company, EVER. Just go with the car rental company directly, not this awful middleman

They put you with cowboy car rental companies.

I booked a hire car through Auto Europe for collection from Viaggiare at Catania Airport, Sicily. Although I had purchased full insurance through Auto Europe, Viaggiare refused to release the vehicle unless we paid for additional coverage. My husband objected, but the representative was insistent. Only one of us was allowed into the collection point, preventing us from discussing the situation properly, and the language barrier was clearly exploited.
We were coerced into paying €128.52 for insurance we didn’t need. I contacted Auto Europe immediately, and they confirmed our policy was fully sufficient. I was assured they would intervene with Viaggiare but only once the rental period ended. I followed up with an email, copying Viaggiare.
After returning to the UK, I contacted Auto Europe again. Despite their earlier assurances, they informed me—after a month of waiting—that they would not support the complaint and that I should deal directly with Viaggiare. I’ve since exchanged multiple emails with Viaggiare, clearly demonstrating compliance with their terms and conditions. Their responses have been inconsistent, and after two months, they still have not done the right thing.
Auto Europe’s failure to follow through on their commitment has left me with no option but to leave this review and pursue a formal claim via the European Consumer Centre.
Tips for other travellers:
- Check your policy thoroughly and do not agree to pay anything additional until you’ve spoken with your broker (if you have one).
- Keep all rental agreements easily accessible throughout your trip.
- Inspect the car carefully before driving away. Ours was filthy, and several areas of damage were missing from the pick-up ticket, making it difficult to spot defects.

Overall booking was OK, but on return of the car to the airport there was no on from the car hire company there. when I returned home there was a charge of €377 for damage. I actually videoed the car prior to leaving. I have been fighting to get the money back through Auto Europe but there customer services are probably the worst I have ever dealt with. They just send repetitive emails asking for documents and videos, I have sent these numerous times. I am positive they don't read the emails sent to them. 3 months I have been telling them. This the text from there last correspondence.

" Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention regarding your previous car rental reservation under voucher number UKXXXXXX

Please note your rental documents state that your rental documentation states that the damage was caused during your rental.

If you wish to dispute that damage was pre-existing please also provide date and time stamped photos of the car at the start (check out) and return (check in) of the vehicle."

I have given up.

Car reservation was given away by car rental. Auto Europe would not refund me my money

Useless careless staff very doughy. The companies they use to hire their vehicles. Racist and asking me extra money .On full UK license they have refuse me vehicle. I have rung them so many times no help from auto Europe. Staff is disrespectful. Useless service

Booked a 9 seater 2 weeks ago. No confirmation have called them twice to which they have said we haven't got a supplier to give us the car. Then said we have a 9 seater but it will be am extra 400 pound to what we quoted you on the day. Terrible service AVOID