What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Car hire fiasco in Portugal - what should I do next?
I hired a car in Portugal via a UK-based broker with prepayment voucher. Reported within 24 hours that car seemed to be low on oil. Local firm refused to collect car and replace. Told me to buy oil and fill. I tried to but was unable as could not locate/open up front of car. Car broke down and local firm took all pre-authorised amount from my credit card. Reported all the above to car hire firm and credit card firm. Thus far both are refusing to reimburse monies. What should I do next?
Asked on 23 November 2012 by phil
Answered by
Honest John
If you ran the engine without oil and wrecked it then that is your responsibility. Any action you take against the rental company would have to be in Portugal where I don't think anyone will believe that you could not open the bonnet and could not top up the oil. If you can't do that you can't even pass a driving test.
Similar questions
We need to hire a car in Spain next week. From you correspondence do you have a feel for the company least likely to rip us off on spurious damage etc?
Are there any age restrictions on car hire in the UK, i.e. for over 80s? In particular from the USA into Heathrow.
The person has dual nationality and holds a UK driving licence.
I have booked to hire a car in Australia and understand that it is cheaper to purchase collision damage waiver insurance through an independent insurer rather than through the hire company. Can you advise...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
