Disputed €500 damage charge after no…
Disputed €500 damage charge after no return inspection
I am leaving this review because I believe future customers should be aware of how my rental ended.
When I returned the vehicle, I brought it to the rental office. I was initially told that the designated return area was elsewhere. As I had two young children and a lot of luggage, I asked if I could exceptionally return the car near the office. An employee called a colleague and confirmed that this was possible, although I would have to wait 5–10 minutes. I agreed.
After that employee left to deliver another vehicle, another employee took over. I explained the situation to him and continued waiting. After approximately 20 minutes in total, I asked how much longer it would take.
He called his colleague and told me that I actually had to take the car to another parking area, or pay €10. I agreed to pay the €10, but pointed out that this was not professional after I had already been waiting because I had been told that returning the car there was possible.
The employee became angry, took the keys from me, returned my €10 and told me that he did not have time to carry out the inspection and that I should leave.
I therefore did not refuse to wait for an inspection. I waited approximately 30 minutes and was told to leave without one.
Approximately one hour later, after I had passed passport control, I received messages claiming that I had caused new scratches to the vehicle.
The company subsequently sent me photographs and a €500 invoice. I formally disputed the claim.
My position is straightforward:
* there was no joint inspection when I returned the vehicle;
* no damage report was signed or acknowledged by me;
* the alleged damage was only reported after the vehicle was already back in their possession;
* the photographs therefore do not establish when the damage occurred or who caused it;
* the vehicle was not “brand new” as claimed — it had approximately 7,500 km and already had several scratches, which I documented with photographs.
Despite my dispute, the company charged my card €500.
I find this extremely concerning. I would expect a rental company to document any alleged damage with the customer at the time of return, particularly before charging €500.
I have retained all photographs, messages, the invoice and the payment evidence.
I am now disputing the transaction with my bank and reporting the matter to the booking intermediary.
My advice to future customers: take detailed photographs and videos of the entire vehicle immediately before returning it, insist on a documented inspection, and do not assume that handing over the keys means the return process is properly documented.
2 de agosto de 2026
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