Masterpiezes

Review of Europcar Malta

You should watch out with Europcar (unfortunately ...

You should watch out with Europcar (unfortunately there isn't one car rental agency at Malta airport that has good ratings, so you're kind of in a dilemma here). First major concern, fuel policy "Full to empty mandatory full tank purchase". As per their rental terms (see attached), you are obliged to pay for a full tank upon pickup at their rates (which aren't displayed anywhere). You can return the car empty, so you basically use up overpriced fuel, if you manage (Malta is small so it's hard to do that). As per their terms, any unused fuel is non refundable and shall become the property of Europcar. Legalised theft??? You make up your own decision. Anyway, my three day rental cost increased by 200% because of this policy! Now to the car itself. Again per their policy, they make you do all the work of checking their car. You need to view the car, and inform them within one hour of pickup of any damages not indicated in the rental agreement signed at the airport counter desk (see screenshot of terms). Never that that before. A professional agency that checks the cars themselves doesn't need to input such a clause into any agreement, unless they have some hidden agenda. My car was dirty (see picture of driver seat area) and the tires weren't inflated properly resulting in the warning signal. This is the first time I have sat into a rental car that had such a huge safety risk right at the start. The car itself wasn't that bad, but for that I need to thank Ford and not Europcar Malta. Europcar should take away the franchise from this Alpine Rent a Car Ltd, they don't do the brand name any good.

Update: I sent a complaint letter, no reply (no surprise). Will take this up now with consumer complaints in Malta. I also rented a car at Hertz in Athens now, and I attached pictures how their cars are prepared. What a difference!