Very disappointing experience with…
Very disappointing experience with Budget Brussels Airport — both regarding the damage charge and the way I was treated by staff.
I rented an Opel Mokka for 16 days. The vehicle I was given was already covered in cosmetic damage. Budget’s own condition report records scratches/damage on SEVEN different exterior areas, including the front and rear bumpers, doors and wheel arch.
After I returned the vehicle, Budget found another cosmetic scratch on the right rear panel, classified as 51–200 mm.
I am not claiming that the scratch could not have happened during my rental. I had no accident, collision or parking incident, and it may have happened while the vehicle was parked.
What I find extremely difficult to accept is the €733.25 charge for this one cosmetic scratch: €629.94 estimated repair cost, €57.33 vehicle immobilisation and €45.98 processing fee.
What made the experience even worse was the treatment I received when returning the car.
The male employee dealing with me at the return/drop-off was extremely unpleasant and unprofessional. His attitude towards me was completely unacceptable and made an already stressful situation considerably worse.
Unfortunately, when a female colleague became involved, I did not receive the professional or helpful treatment I would have expected from her either. Instead of calmly listening to my concerns and trying to explain the situation, I felt that I was being dismissed rather than treated as a customer with a legitimate concern.
Regardless of any disagreement about damage, customers deserve to be spoken to respectfully and professionally. I found the behaviour of the staff at the return desk extremely disappointing.
Regarding the charge itself, I asked Budget a very reasonable question: if customers are charged hundreds of euros for individual scratches, why was the vehicle handed to me with so many previous scratches still present?
I also asked Budget whether this particular scratch had actually been repaired, for the actual repair invoice if it had, and whether the vehicle had genuinely been taken out of service to justify the immobilisation charge.
Instead of offering a reasonable reduction or properly addressing these concerns, Budget has now informed me that its decision is final and “will not be overturned.”
I wasn’t asking to avoid all responsibility. I asked for a fair and proportionate reduction of what I believe is an excessive charge for one cosmetic scratch on a vehicle that was already extensively scratched when it was handed to me.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise anyone renting from Budget Brussels Airport to photograph and video EVERY panel of the vehicle in detail before driving away, regardless of how many scratches are already on the car.
I would also expect Budget to review not only its damage-charging practices but the way customers are treated by staff when a dispute arises.
20 de agosto de 2026
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