FC
First Car Rental
Claimed Business
FC
First Car Rental
Claimed Business
58 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
Rated in:
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
First Car Rental
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, First Car Rental shows significant operational issues across multiple service areas. Customers consistently report problems with deposit refunds, hidden charges, vehicle quality, and unresponsive aftercare. While a small number of branches and individual staff members receive praise, the overwhelming sentiment reflects frustration with billing practices, communication breakdowns, and inconsistent policy application across pickup and drop-off locations.
TrustIndex
2.4
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Based on recent customer reviews, First Car Rental shows significant operational issues across multiple service areas. Customers consistently report problems with deposit refunds, hidden charges, vehicle quality, and unresponsive aftercare. While a small number of branches and individual staff members receive praise, the overwhelming sentiment reflects frustration with billing practices, communication breakdowns, and inconsistent policy application across pickup and drop-off locations.
The most common complaint about First Car Rental, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Communication & Aftercare. Communication & Aftercare (1.0) is the weakest area. Customers report ignored emails, closed cases without resolution, ghosted complaints, and repeated chasing for deposit refunds. Multiple reviewers describe waiting weeks or months with no meaningful response from the company.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
This is the worst company I have ever seen in my life... They don't know what is going on... I am still waiting on my deposit to be put back in my account... I need to phone them every day for my Money because they don't have all the same stories... The worst client service ever...
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
This is the worst company I have ever seen in my life... They don't know what is going on... I am still waiting on my deposit to be put back in my account... I need to phone them every day for my Money because they don't have all the same stories... The worst client service ever...
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Rented a car for a two-week road trip and the whole experience was effortless. The booking process took three minutes online, the car was ready and waiting at the collection point with no queue, and the vehicle was spotless and full of fuel.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Rented a car for a two-week road trip and the whole experience was effortless. The booking process took three minutes online, the car was ready and waiting at the collection point with no queue, and the vehicle was spotless and full of fuel.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Please don't use them for rentals. I filled up a full tank of fuel and they still billed me for fuel used. I even provided proof of a full tank and they still charged me for fuel, saying they can't rely on the fuel gauge saying full, the fuel gauge gives a km range, so is it that this cannot be trusted as a full tank. They are *******! don't use them! I've used Avis and Europcar and never had this issue. Stay away from First car Rental!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Please don't use them for rentals. I filled up a full tank of fuel and they still billed me for fuel used. I even provided proof of a full tank and they still charged me for fuel, saying they can't rely on the fuel gauge saying full, the fuel gauge gives a km range, so is it that this cannot be trusted as a full tank. They are *******! don't use them! I've used Avis and Europcar and never had this issue. Stay away from First car Rental!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Upon arrival at the car rental in Namibia, the assistant did the check of hte bakkie (pic-up) with me. I noticed the back wheels were totally worn down while hte front tyres were new. I complaiend adn said I need a replacement to which she said there were no other bakkies. On route I had a flat ont eh back tyre which was totally destroyed and lost 3 hours thus missing two meetings and inconveniencing a number of people. I drove mostly on tar and sand so the tyres were shredded by wear and tear. THen they overcahrged me for the car forgettign tot take off the deposit. ANd no word of apology when I complained when I returned the car. IN fact they told me I needed to replace the tyre, which i refused to do. I think the billed me for the tyre replacement as I cant understnad why the cost was so high.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Upon arrival at the car rental in Namibia, the assistant did the check of hte bakkie (pic-up) with me. I noticed the back wheels were totally worn down while hte front tyres were new. I complaiend adn said I need a replacement to which she said there were no other bakkies. On route I had a flat ont eh back tyre which was totally destroyed and lost 3 hours thus missing two meetings and inconveniencing a number of people. I drove mostly on tar and sand so the tyres were shredded by wear and tear. THen they overcahrged me for the car forgettign tot take off the deposit. ANd no word of apology when I complained when I returned the car. IN fact they told me I needed to replace the tyre, which i refused to do. I think the billed me for the tyre replacement as I cant understnad why the cost was so high.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I booked and paid for a Group B car on 22 April 2026. When I booked it, I also booked and paid for a car seat for our baby. Upon arrival at the CPT Aiport branch, Tarren assisted us with our booking and informed us that we have gotten a free upgrade (from our guaranteed VW Polo) to a Suzuki Ciaz. I didn’t believe that it was a “free upgrade” since we purchased the Group B car in the first place. Tarren knew it was raining and she could see we have our baby with us. She told us that the car is quite far and she suggests one of us go to fetch the car and park it closer. The car was parked at lot 76. VERY FAR. We were told that the guys who work outside don’t do inspections of the car when it’s raining and we were left to our own devices. We eventually got the baby and our luggage to the car when it started raining heavily. I quickly tried to fit the car seat just to find out this “upgrade” of a car doesn’t have isofix for the car seat. I run back to Tarren and she informed me that they only have isofix car seats. WHY, if you knew for 4 days that I’m brining my baby and I ordered a car seat, will you “upgrade” me to a car with no Isofix for the car seat?? The service was absolutely horrible from there on. We were told to take both the keys and go swop out the Suzuki for the Citroen (which has isofix) ourselves. In. The. Rain. After I finally got the car seat fitted in the Citroen, I wanted to speak to the supervisor. Banzi assisted us (he was exceptionally nice and helpful - the only one in that branch). The supervisor pretended to be busy and seemed less than interested to address our situation. The supervisor never spoke to us and kept walking in circles in an attempt to avoid speaking to us. The car they gave us (Citroen) have a lot of issues. While driving on the highway, we noticed that the bonnet wasn’t fully closed. It could have flown open at any time. The driver door key slot is lose. The centre brake light’s cover on the inside of the boot is missing. Wires exposed. It’s just been a horrible experience and we are very hurt that the branch and its employees were okey letting our baby and our belongings be exposed to the rain and wind. It’s very disheartening and saddening. We sincerely hope that an actual supervisor/manager/branch owner will be more willing to help us make this right than the supervisor that was on duty there today. I lodged this complaint on their online platform on 26 April. To day I have not had a response from them.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I booked and paid for a Group B car on 22 April 2026. When I booked it, I also booked and paid for a car seat for our baby. Upon arrival at the CPT Aiport branch, Tarren assisted us with our booking and informed us that we have gotten a free upgrade (from our guaranteed VW Polo) to a Suzuki Ciaz. I didn’t believe that it was a “free upgrade” since we purchased the Group B car in the first place. Tarren knew it was raining and she could see we have our baby with us. She told us that the car is quite far and she suggests one of us go to fetch the car and park it closer. The car was parked at lot 76. VERY FAR. We were told that the guys who work outside don’t do inspections of the car when it’s raining and we were left to our own devices. We eventually got the baby and our luggage to the car when it started raining heavily. I quickly tried to fit the car seat just to find out this “upgrade” of a car doesn’t have isofix for the car seat. I run back to Tarren and she informed me that they only have isofix car seats. WHY, if you knew for 4 days that I’m brining my baby and I ordered a car seat, will you “upgrade” me to a car with no Isofix for the car seat?? The service was absolutely horrible from there on. We were told to take both the keys and go swop out the Suzuki for the Citroen (which has isofix) ourselves. In. The. Rain. After I finally got the car seat fitted in the Citroen, I wanted to speak to the supervisor. Banzi assisted us (he was exceptionally nice and helpful - the only one in that branch). The supervisor pretended to be busy and seemed less than interested to address our situation. The supervisor never spoke to us and kept walking in circles in an attempt to avoid speaking to us. The car they gave us (Citroen) have a lot of issues. While driving on the highway, we noticed that the bonnet wasn’t fully closed. It could have flown open at any time. The driver door key slot is lose. The centre brake light’s cover on the inside of the boot is missing. Wires exposed. It’s just been a horrible experience and we are very hurt that the branch and its employees were okey letting our baby and our belongings be exposed to the rain and wind. It’s very disheartening and saddening. We sincerely hope that an actual supervisor/manager/branch owner will be more willing to help us make this right than the supervisor that was on duty there today. I lodged this complaint on their online platform on 26 April. To day I have not had a response from them.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am extremely disappointed with the way First Car Rental handled this matter. We were involved in an accident where your client (the renter) was clearly at fault, as he drove into us. An official accident report was completed, and our full third-party details were provided in that report. However, our claim was declined on the basis that your client allegedly failed to submit our details. This is both unfair and unreasonable. The necessary information was already available in the accident report, which your company had access to. It is unacceptable that we, as the innocent third party, are being prejudiced due to your client’s failure to comply with your internal requirements. We had no control over whether your client submitted additional information, yet we are now being penalised for it. We expect First Car Rental to assess claims based on the facts and available evidence — not to reject valid claims due to administrative technicalities caused by your own client. This situation reflects poorly on your claims process and customer fairness. We request that this matter be urgently reviewed and resolved based on the actual merits of the case.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I am extremely disappointed with the way First Car Rental handled this matter. We were involved in an accident where your client (the renter) was clearly at fault, as he drove into us. An official accident report was completed, and our full third-party details were provided in that report. However, our claim was declined on the basis that your client allegedly failed to submit our details. This is both unfair and unreasonable. The necessary information was already available in the accident report, which your company had access to. It is unacceptable that we, as the innocent third party, are being prejudiced due to your client’s failure to comply with your internal requirements. We had no control over whether your client submitted additional information, yet we are now being penalised for it. We expect First Car Rental to assess claims based on the facts and available evidence — not to reject valid claims due to administrative technicalities caused by your own client. This situation reflects poorly on your claims process and customer fairness. We request that this matter be urgently reviewed and resolved based on the actual merits of the case.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
First Car Rental doesn’t even deserve a one star rating The worst experience ever! We rented a car and were notified that the “blocked” amount has been actioned on 29/03/2026. 10/04/2026 we logged a ticket 4979528 and were notified that the “blocked” amount will reflect in the account within 96 hours which First Car Rental confirmed with Discovery bank. Here we are 23/04/2026 and still haven’t received the “blocked” amount. Your service is pathetic. Please do not get a consultant to contact us as it has not helped this situation. If you want to reach out please do ensure it’s a Senior Manager who can resolve this. The next complaint is with the motor industry ombudsman. Clearly you cannot execute your service delivery agreements.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
First Car Rental doesn’t even deserve a one star rating The worst experience ever! We rented a car and were notified that the “blocked” amount has been actioned on 29/03/2026. 10/04/2026 we logged a ticket 4979528 and were notified that the “blocked” amount will reflect in the account within 96 hours which First Car Rental confirmed with Discovery bank. Here we are 23/04/2026 and still haven’t received the “blocked” amount. Your service is pathetic. Please do not get a consultant to contact us as it has not helped this situation. If you want to reach out please do ensure it’s a Senior Manager who can resolve this. The next complaint is with the motor industry ombudsman. Clearly you cannot execute your service delivery agreements.
First Car Rental has a TrustIndex of 2.4 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 58 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked First Car Rental across 683 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →