Tempest Car Hire
Verified Business
|1.3|48 Reviews (last 12 months)|Responds in 47h 31m
Tempest Car Hire
Verified Business
|1.3
48 Reviews (last 12 months)
Responds in 47h 31m
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Tempest Car Hire is facing significant customer experience challenges, with a recurring theme of disputed charges and deposit refund delays. Customers consistently mention unexpected admin fees on traffic fines, surcharges for Code 10 licences that were not disclosed at booking, and disputes over alleged vehicle damage discovered after handover. A frequent concern is poor communication, with clients reporting unanswered emails and unreturned calls. Positive feedback does surface, particularly highlighting individual staff members at branches like Cape Town International and Head Office who deliver helpful, efficient service.
Performance(last 12 months):
Trustindex Rating
2.6Ranked In Automotive
#99Reply Time
47h 31mNPS Score
-79Unlikely
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 48h 36m
TrustIndex
2.6
Ranking
#99
in Automotive
Reply Time
47h 31m
NPS Score
-79
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 48h 36m
Review Distribution
1.3|48 Reviews
Sep '25 - Aug '26
Recent reviews (48)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceSS
Stan S
1 reviews | Active since May 2026
22 May 2026, 21:17
Tempest /Euro car hire failures.....
I have, through the Discovery Vitality travel online system booked 7 car hires in the past 8 months and have always selected the Top insurance PLUS the super waiver, which to be honest I had no clue what it was about. Initially 8 months ago Euro car sent me the tiny worded condtions and asked me to sign, which I did. I never understood much about it. I never had an an agreement sent again.NO EXPLANATIONS.....Fist few hires I saw they were charging for petrol, and when I challenged them as I had filled up everytime and given the checker the slip, and they took it off eventually...I queried how they could charge random amounts plus admin and they NEVER answered and passed credits......The Main gripe is I had an awful smash and am lucky to be alive, near Richards Bay and it was starting to get dark...3 good samaritans stoped, and helped and a few minutes later a Tow truck showed up....My wife and I were in such a shocked conditions we never knew much These 3 guys stayed with us and when this Tow truck driver started to push to get the car towed these 3 guys stopped ahim as they had called the police.When the police arrived the tow truck driver was pacing up and down, came up to the police and showed them an aauth number from Euro cars and eventually the police allowed them to tow the Car back to King Shaka airport. The 3 Good samaritans would NOT let the truck driver take us to Richards Bay as they were VERY worried about the Tower and took us to our Hotel. Next morning I got a call from Euro cars stating that they cannot find the car.I tried to explain and the Lady asked for the Towers details and I sent then a photo of his card.She told me UNDER no circumstances was I allowed to speak to the Tower. To cut a long story short, a month later I called in to inquire whats going on, and all hell broke loose....They imdeitaely read me the right Act, and told me I was responsible for the towing/Admin and had to pay for an assesor also. It took another week to get some garbled account for R30,000 for the excess, which in the policy wording was listed as being doubled in the case of Seriaaaaas damage, and they wrote the car off. I have been dealing with it, and have offered to pay R25,000 in full settlement and if that is not acceptable, I will chase every avenue.....How many people hiring cars know that even if you take the Top insurance, and super waiver your R5,500 is doubled in a Sreiaaaas accident, petrol charged illegaally, driver responsible for towing. My wife is a Cancer patient and we go to Richards Bay often for treatment we are in our 70's and fly from Joburg to King shaka and then hire for the trip to Richards Bay...Always through Discovery and Tempest comes up, but when you arrive at King Shakaa it tells you to go to Euro Car....Besides the first terms, I have never received anything else......Why take the highest insurance/Super waiver and have to still '*** en Betaal' for all these items........It is shocking....
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)SS
Stan S
1 reviews | Active since May 2026
22 May 2026, 21:17
Tempest /Euro car hire failures.....
I have, through the Discovery Vitality travel online system booked 7 car hires in the past 8 months and have always selected the Top insurance PLUS the super waiver, which to be honest I had no clue what it was about. Initially 8 months ago Euro car sent me the tiny worded condtions and asked me to sign, which I did. I never understood much about it. I never had an an agreement sent again.NO EXPLANATIONS.....Fist few hires I saw they were charging for petrol, and when I challenged them as I had filled up everytime and given the checker the slip, and they took it off eventually...I queried how they could charge random amounts plus admin and they NEVER answered and passed credits......The Main gripe is I had an awful smash and am lucky to be alive, near Richards Bay and it was starting to get dark...3 good samaritans stoped, and helped and a few minutes later a Tow truck showed up....My wife and I were in such a shocked conditions we never knew much These 3 guys stayed with us and when this Tow truck driver started to push to get the car towed these 3 guys stopped ahim as they had called the police.When the police arrived the tow truck driver was pacing up and down, came up to the police and showed them an aauth number from Euro cars and eventually the police allowed them to tow the Car back to King Shaka airport. The 3 Good samaritans would NOT let the truck driver take us to Richards Bay as they were VERY worried about the Tower and took us to our Hotel. Next morning I got a call from Euro cars stating that they cannot find the car.I tried to explain and the Lady asked for the Towers details and I sent then a photo of his card.She told me UNDER no circumstances was I allowed to speak to the Tower. To cut a long story short, a month later I called in to inquire whats going on, and all hell broke loose....They imdeitaely read me the right Act, and told me I was responsible for the towing/Admin and had to pay for an assesor also. It took another week to get some garbled account for R30,000 for the excess, which in the policy wording was listed as being doubled in the case of Seriaaaaas damage, and they wrote the car off. I have been dealing with it, and have offered to pay R25,000 in full settlement and if that is not acceptable, I will chase every avenue.....How many people hiring cars know that even if you take the Top insurance, and super waiver your R5,500 is doubled in a Sreiaaaas accident, petrol charged illegaally, driver responsible for towing. My wife is a Cancer patient and we go to Richards Bay often for treatment we are in our 70's and fly from Joburg to King shaka and then hire for the trip to Richards Bay...Always through Discovery and Tempest comes up, but when you arrive at King Shakaa it tells you to go to Euro Car....Besides the first terms, I have never received anything else......Why take the highest insurance/Super waiver and have to still '*** en Betaal' for all these items........It is shocking....
0
Replies (1)AH
Andrew H
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
20 May 2026, 17:28
Return Customers' Deposits - It's not your money, Tempest
Tempest Car Hire - why do you not refund your customers their deposit, despite repeated requests, phonecalls, emails? This shouldn't be the customer's responsibility to follow up, it should be automatic. Avis don't seem to have a problem doing it. Will not be renting from you again.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)AH
Andrew H
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
20 May 2026, 17:28
Return Customers' Deposits - It's not your money, Tempest
Tempest Car Hire - why do you not refund your customers their deposit, despite repeated requests, phonecalls, emails? This shouldn't be the customer's responsibility to follow up, it should be automatic. Avis don't seem to have a problem doing it. Will not be renting from you again.
0
Replies (1)MG
Mrs G
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2011
17 May 2026, 19:50
Code 10 surcharge not disclosed.
My husband hired a car this weekend. Today he receives an invoice stating he will be charged a code 10 surcharge. Why was this not explained so we could walk away and hire at a car rental that does not class you as being a hazard on the road because you have a code 10 licence. We were not aware of this and neither was it explained when hiring. Surely the staff at the check in know this. He will Definitely not be using them again especially for the lack of transparency.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)MG
Mrs G
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2011
17 May 2026, 19:50
Code 10 surcharge not disclosed.
My husband hired a car this weekend. Today he receives an invoice stating he will be charged a code 10 surcharge. Why was this not explained so we could walk away and hire at a car rental that does not class you as being a hazard on the road because you have a code 10 licence. We were not aware of this and neither was it explained when hiring. Surely the staff at the check in know this. He will Definitely not be using them again especially for the lack of transparency.
0
Replies (1)JP
Jacques P
1 reviews | Active since May 2022
12 May 2026, 13:56
Like many others, I had a terrible experience with Tempest
Like many others, I had a terrible experience with Tempest. First off, they charge R500 more for an upgrade done in-person than a new booking online would cost. Secondly, the staff at Bloemfontein Airport where I returned the car had no interest doing a final inspection, and advised me it's not necessary, only to email me a week later about damage on the car and that I needed to fill in an "Incident form", even though nothing happened to the car! A week later and they are still busy with an "investigation" (which I would not have known about if I didn't follow up, and that could only take a maximum of 2 minutes to look at photos), and keeping my deposit money. This really reeks of *****ulent behavior and I suspect they are taking chances like this all the time.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)JP
Jacques P
1 reviews | Active since May 2022
12 May 2026, 13:56
Like many others, I had a terrible experience with Tempest
Like many others, I had a terrible experience with Tempest. First off, they charge R500 more for an upgrade done in-person than a new booking online would cost. Secondly, the staff at Bloemfontein Airport where I returned the car had no interest doing a final inspection, and advised me it's not necessary, only to email me a week later about damage on the car and that I needed to fill in an "Incident form", even though nothing happened to the car! A week later and they are still busy with an "investigation" (which I would not have known about if I didn't follow up, and that could only take a maximum of 2 minutes to look at photos), and keeping my deposit money. This really reeks of *****ulent behavior and I suspect they are taking chances like this all the time.
0
Replies (1)RG
Renard G
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2025
8 May 2026, 12:11
Tempest Car Hire King Shaka deducting your credit card
I rented a car from Tempest Car Hire King Shaka earlier this week, before returning it I filled up at the Sasol 300 meters from the drop off point. A few days later I was charged for re-fueling. Do not support them, since they have your credit card details and the deposit, they can deduct whatever they feel like and invoice you when they feel like it.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)RG
Renard G
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2025
8 May 2026, 12:11
Tempest Car Hire King Shaka deducting your credit card
I rented a car from Tempest Car Hire King Shaka earlier this week, before returning it I filled up at the Sasol 300 meters from the drop off point. A few days later I was charged for re-fueling. Do not support them, since they have your credit card details and the deposit, they can deduct whatever they feel like and invoice you when they feel like it.
0
Replies (1)FR
Flavio R
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2025
24 Mar 2026, 08:24
Charge for fuel and refuelling admin fee!!!
Same thing happened with their sister company Europcar. You fill up the tank when returning, show the person receiving your car the slip proving your have put petrol and they charge you for refuelling and admin fee for doing that. It is a **** to take people’s money as many won’t notice and even bother complaining. It is the third or forth time it happens to me. The second time I am reporting on Hello Peter. It is time for them to review this and stop trying to ***** money from customers.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)FR
Flavio R
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2025
24 Mar 2026, 08:24
Charge for fuel and refuelling admin fee!!!
Same thing happened with their sister company Europcar. You fill up the tank when returning, show the person receiving your car the slip proving your have put petrol and they charge you for refuelling and admin fee for doing that. It is a **** to take people’s money as many won’t notice and even bother complaining. It is the third or forth time it happens to me. The second time I am reporting on Hello Peter. It is time for them to review this and stop trying to ***** money from customers.
0
Replies (1)TK
Tiaan K
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2022
23 Mar 2026, 19:26
Ignoring that they still owe me money and evidence
It's been over a week now where Tempest have not given me any of the feedback or evidence I requested, they're unwilling to refund my deposit and are ignoring me completely. This is an extremely dishonest company that will try to ***** your deposit. Be very wary of choosing this company people. I urge you to go for a different rental agency instead.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (3)TK
Tiaan K
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2022
23 Mar 2026, 19:26
Ignoring that they still owe me money and evidence
It's been over a week now where Tempest have not given me any of the feedback or evidence I requested, they're unwilling to refund my deposit and are ignoring me completely. This is an extremely dishonest company that will try to ***** your deposit. Be very wary of choosing this company people. I urge you to go for a different rental agency instead.
0
Replies (3)GB
Ghil B
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2017
19 Mar 2026, 16:20
Outstanding Service from Silvia – Tempest Car Hire
I want to commend Silvia from Tempest Car Hire Head Office for her exceptional service. She was absolutely amazing – so helpful, so friendly, and truly went the extra mile. When our call was cut, she immediately called me back. After phoning around to so many rental companies trying to find someone who could assist me without a credit card, Silvia was the one who calmed me down and genuinely helped. Within no time, she had provided quotes, made the booking, and ensured everything was perfect. Give this woman a bells – she deserves it! Tempest, please look after her, she is an asset to your company. Regards, Ghil Bancilhon
Helpful (0)
|Replies (1)GB
Ghil B
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2017
19 Mar 2026, 16:20
Outstanding Service from Silvia – Tempest Car Hire
I want to commend Silvia from Tempest Car Hire Head Office for her exceptional service. She was absolutely amazing – so helpful, so friendly, and truly went the extra mile. When our call was cut, she immediately called me back. After phoning around to so many rental companies trying to find someone who could assist me without a credit card, Silvia was the one who calmed me down and genuinely helped. Within no time, she had provided quotes, made the booking, and ensured everything was perfect. Give this woman a bells – she deserves it! Tempest, please look after her, she is an asset to your company. Regards, Ghil Bancilhon
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Replies (1)