Last Updated on May 1, 2023 by Kristin

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If you’ve ever researched a car rental outside the U.S., you have likely run across the name Europcar. Even if you are vaguely familiar with the brand, you may wonder how it stacks up against other car rental companies. Here’s an introduction to Europcar Car Rental and what customers say about its service.

Basic Facts About Europcar Car Rental

Founded in Paris in 1949, Europcar is one of the oldest and most-recognized car rental companies in the world. Europcar is part of Europcar Mobility Group, which also owns several other rental brands including U.S.-based Fox Rent a Car.

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While especially well-known in Europe, the company has 3,835 locations in more than 140 countries. Europcar also has offices in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean. Europcar offers a range of vehicles, from basic sedans to high-end sports cars and trucks.

Reviews of Europcar Car Rental

Like many large car rental brands, Europcar garners reviews that vary greatly based on location.

For example, Europcar’s office at London Heathrow Airport has 3.5 out of five stars, based on more than 1,800 reviews. However, other Europcar locations have lower ratings on popular web review sites.

On Trustpilot, Europcar has a rating of 2.2 stars based on more than 8,700 reviews. While 46% of the reviews did fall into the “excellent” category, 37% of the reviews were considered “bad.”

This indicates inconsistency. Unhappy Trustpilot users filed complaints about booking problems and unexpected charges while satisfied customers left five-star reviews praising Europcar’s customer service at locations including Derby, UK and Gatwick Airport.

Despite the number of reviews, Europcar UK does appear to be regularly replying to each customer leaving positive and negative reviews alike. According to Trustpilot, Europcar has responded to 98% of their negative reviews.

Meanwhile, the website Consumer Affairs gives Europcar only 1.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,136 ratings. A majority of the reviewers left the company one star, with complaints focusing on claims about unexpected charges and customer service issues.

Is Europcar a Good Choice?

Considering its vast network of locations around the world, Europcar is often the most convenient choice if you are overseas. But with so many branches, your experience may vary widely depending on the location. Before making a Europcar reservation, take a look at some of the reviews for the specific location you plan to rent from to see what recent customers had to say about their experience. 

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In AutoSlash’s Ultimate Rental Car Ratings, we give Europcar 2.5 out of 5 stars, the second-lowest score. We consider it a “Tier 4” company after hearing complaint after complaint after complaint about its U.S. locations. In general, the companies in this grouping offer great prices but tend to attract more complaints than higher-ranked brands on the list.

If you do decide to book with Europcar Car Rentals, read the rental agreement carefully to avoid any surprise charges. Inspect the rental car carefully before driving it off the lot for any scratches, dings or cleanliness issues. Also, be sure to confirm in advance about the procedure for arranging a rental car shuttle from the airport.

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