BUDGET GREAT BRITAIN Car Rental Reviews

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by JOHN - 17 September 2025

" Good value for my needs "

" Fast friendly efficient service from the Budget staff both at pick up and drop off "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 9

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by LEWIS - 17 September 2025

" Autoeurope booking was easy as usual with some of the lowest prices. "

" Firstly I was offered to upgrade for a fee. However, on accepting, the price increased by 25%. I therefore went back to the original car. The car had a lot of damage that was not listed. Also had a bulging tyre. I was then given another car (electric) but there was no charging cable. All in all, it took 1.5 hours before I finally drove off. As a result I was late for my mothers 88th birthday celebration. Staff were rude, patronising, and dishonest. I also felt that my race was a factor. Never again with Budget. "

Value for Money: 1
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 1
Expediency of Drop-off: 4
Condition of the Vehicle: 1

BRISTOL, GB - Reviewed by SHARAN - 30 August 2025

" Not much to say would use again, but not accept the type of car again "

" The only thing we didn't like was the car, having for an suv, we got an estate car which was very low. "

Value for Money: 7
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

EAST MIDLANDS, GB - Reviewed by BRIAN - 29 May 2025

" I would think twice about budget now, but I can't fault AutoEurope for price and easiness of the website "

" We hired through you in April via budget and it couldn't of been better. This time it was different, the car had old chewing gum stuck in the door. No built in sat nav and not like equivalent to the money paid for hire at all. We asked for help With the car but the man on the desk was on his own so was unable to help. I had a phone call on the Saturday which I missed due to a family wedding from a mobile number and again Sunday which I answered to say it was the Gatwick office and the car had been double booked by mistake and could I confirm the registration number and when and where we were returning it. Quite stressful as we were on our way to see my nieces dance competition. The experience was nothing like the first time of hiring. And it left me worried as the deposit amount is showing on our bank statement it's been taken out, this didn't happen the first time hiring with them. I did email the man who had rung Sunday as they had emailed to confirm our rental of the car, but obviously I hadn't checked my emails either as I was busy Saturday. "

Value for Money: 6
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 6
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 3

EAST MIDLANDS, GB - Reviewed by BRIAN - 01 May 2025

" The staff were great, and we would 100% recommend autoeurope and budget car hire again. We are actually booking for this month "

" The whole experience was faultless from start to finish "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LEICESTER, GB - Reviewed by MAIRE - 28 March 2025

" Very happy "

" Value for money "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by JAMES - 14 November 2024

" Easy to pick up and drop off counter staff excellent "

" Budget were excellent and provided a great car "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

EAST MIDLANDS, GB - Reviewed by MICHAEL - 05 November 2024

" But after that everything was ok "

" Had to wait a over a hour on arrival 2 get car as it was not ready had to be checked ,and cleaned as it was sitting out side dirty "

Value for Money: 6
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 6
Expediency of Drop-off: 8
Condition of the Vehicle: 4

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by MARK - 30 September 2024

" Simple process, no issues picking up or dropping off the vehicle. Staff extremely helpful & friendly. Very positive experience. "

" Simple process, no issues picking up or dropping off the vehicle. Staff extremely helpful & friendly. Very positive experience. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

MANCHESTER, GB - Reviewed by JAMES - 09 August 2024

" No stress very easy procesure "

" Great service and great condition car. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BRISTOL, GB - Reviewed by SEAN - 24 July 2024

" Overall it was good but the car given was smaller than advertised - "

" The car I got was much smaller to an MG Zs / it was a Suzuki swift "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by JOHN - 22 July 2024

" Na "

" The service was very good, the price should be better, the offer of insurance for €25 a day is the greatest rip off joke hence I don't take it, I drive a €40,000 Mercedes at home and the insurance is €1 a day. Time car rental companies got real. "

Value for Money: 5
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by ROBERT - 05 April 2024

" Always a smooth process from start to finish. "

" Everything was very good no issues or hard sell. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by NIKOS - 02 October 2023

" I don't receive anymore the invoice for the rental from Autoeurope although I asked them several times for your colleagues at resmanager@autoeurope.de. In the past this service was very prompt. Thanks "

" All good "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by MAURICE - 01 July 2023

" Your company took additional unsolicited charges off my credit card, I was charged 40 pound's extra because YOU couldn't provide the car I paid for on 14/06/23....... WHY? Then you charged road and location tax!! This was NOT on your website on 24/06/23, you have taken money unsolicited and as such I require it refunded! Why should I have to pay 40 pounds for your inability to provide the car I booked and paid for, if I had wanted a high tech Audi A1 zI would have booked it! Appalling service. "

" Didn't get the car I paid for, charged me 40 pounds extra for a car I struggled with, no one could explain the technology in the car I never wanted in the first place! Charged unsolicited fees: road tax, location tax. plus 40 for the car I never booked. You have taken this money unsolicited, appalling service. "

Value for Money: 1
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 1
Expediency of Drop-off: 1
Condition of the Vehicle: 1

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by LASSE - 19 April 2023

" The value for money was considerably better than any other company I checked. "

" The staff at the counter and the drop off area were all extremely helpful..A very enjoyable experience. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 8

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by JOHN - 19 April 2023

" Good value and easy to use "

" A very good experience. Christopher at the desk was great, very friendly and moved us through the process quickly but without rushing. The car was perfect and the return process was painless with polite efficient staff "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LUTON, GB - Reviewed by JAMES - 03 April 2023

" Have always enjoyed my experience with budget. Staff friendly. "

" Staff friendly, courteous, and efficient. Explained conditions of contract and where the car was located. "

Value for Money: 9
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 9
Condition of the Vehicle: 9

LIVERPOOL, GB - Reviewed by DONAL - 02 December 2022

" All positive "

" All very good. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BRISTOL, GB - Reviewed by DENISE - 13 November 2022

" I was surprised to be told to scrub a mark off myself on this new car!! "

" On arrival there was a scratchmark about 6inches on the car which I was told to scrub off with my finger nail . Eventually it came off. I was quite afraid of marking the car myself. They had a tiny mark on the wheel alloy marked, less than half an inch which I could hardly see. Anyway everything got marked down on the chartvjn the end. The staff were nice about it. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 9
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 6

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by PENNY - 05 November 2022

" Only bad experience was trying to reach the petrol station at birmingham airport - nightmare! "

" Budget very good. Even called me in advance to help quicken the collection process. "

Value for Money: 9
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 8

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by DEREK - 29 June 2022

" Very efficient and hassle free. Good car similar to one booked "

" Very efficient and courteous "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

GLASGOW, GB - Reviewed by IAIN - 26 April 2022

" Another good hire, though prices have increased in the last few months. "

" Quick pick up and drop off. Good quality car. "

Value for Money: 7
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 9

MANCHESTER, GB - Reviewed by KAMIL - 21 April 2022

" Still can't get over the price i paid for single day. Used to be quarter of that "

" Still can't get over the price i paid for single day. Used to be quarter of that "

Value for Money: 5
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 5
Expediency of Drop-off: 5
Condition of the Vehicle: 5

MANCHESTER, GB - Reviewed by DAVID - 23 March 2022

" Very good "

" Friendly, professional, efficient "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by NIKOLAOS - 14 February 2022

" all good "

" all good "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LIVERPOOL, GB - Reviewed by DAMIAN - 02 December 2021

" We had an issue at Manchester Airport returning our car, so we rented from Liverpool and were returning to Manchester, at Manchester Airport there was no signage indicating the location of car rental, if we had rented from Manchester we would have been fine but this caused alot of confusion for us and we nearly missed our flight, you probably don't have control over this but maybe you could pass along to the the revelant person. "

" Everything very good with Budget "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

GLASGOW, GB - Reviewed by ALAN - 30 September 2021

" Delighted with everything "

" The staff member at collection was friendly and efficent. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LUTON, GB - Reviewed by JUSTIN - 13 July 2020

" Please review "

" I had booked a rental car for 3 days in Luton however due to the changing circumstances because of Covid 19 my trip had to be amended and I flew out on the same day out of STN instead of Luton. When I wrote to you to amend they told me to deal direct with Avis/Budget at the desk on collection. The price I paid for 3 days was £56.88 I had to wait 40 mins to be collected from Luton airport as the Car Hire Village wasn't running a bus(I could have walked there mush faster) I had the car for 6 hours instead of 3 days. At the desk they told me I would be refunded the extra days not used and be charged £40 plus VAT for leaving it back in STN. The charge was in fact £147.86 I only had good experiences with Avis/Budget up until now and had the company down as being one of the few decent rental car companies. To say I am dissatisfied is an understatement to say the least. I would like it to be reviewed and a refund reflecting a fair deal in order for me to consider using your company again. Sincerely, Justin Cassidy "

Value for Money: 1
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 9
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by STEPHEN - 21 December 2019

" See above "

" Very efficient, friendly and no hard sell. Quite expensive for 1 days hire though "

Value for Money: 8
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 9
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 9

EAST MIDLANDS, GB - Reviewed by EILEEN - 31 October 2019

" Received a free upgrade but would have preferred car I booked. "

" A little wait at the counter but very helpful and gave fully clear instructions. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

GLASGOW, GB - Reviewed by MARIA - 15 May 2019

" The whole experience was very good. The attentiveness of the staff, the car that was presented in perfect condition and very nice to drive. "

" Paulina who attended me at the desk was very friendly and efficient so everything went very smooth and nicely "

Value for Money: 9
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by JOHN - 29 November 2018

" None "

" None "

Value for Money: 9
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 9
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by VINCENT - 26 November 2018

" All went well "

" All organised, no issues "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

LONDON, GB - Reviewed by TIMOTHY - 19 October 2018

" there were several serious scratches on the car when I was taking it out to begin with, but these were not obvious on the poor photo copy given to me. I had to return to the desk for confirmation that they were aware of the scratches before I left. I have reason to believe, also, the fuel tank was not fully filled up as considering the few miles driving (down to Horsham) I had to put £13 worth of petrol into it. I have driven bigger cars more miles and it cost less to fill them so I know what I a talking about. also, at drop off I would have preferred if the chap at the desk had a look at the car I was returning to confirm he was happy with what I was leaving back. they just took in the key which I thought left me exposed to somebody there, after I left, claiming I scratched it and charging my credit card. Apart from that all was fine. Good car! "

" Staff courteous. Good car but see below! "

Value for Money: 8
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 7
Condition of the Vehicle: 6

SOUTHAMPTON, GB - Reviewed by LAUREN - 09 October 2018

" Clare was lovely and helpful. "

" Clare was lovely and helpful. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

NEWCASTLE, GB - Reviewed by RICHARD - 07 September 2018

" Very satisfied. No problems, and hassle free "

" Excellent. Everything ran smooth. "

Value for Money: 10
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by CHRISTOPHER - 02 September 2018

" Traveling can be stressful so its nice if car hire can be quick and easy collect and drop off. "

" Helpful and Friendly staff. "

Value for Money: 9
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 10
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 10

BIRMINGHAM, GB - Reviewed by JOHN - 19 June 2018

" Collection & drop off were efficient. I still think the costs for zero excess charge insurance are completely out of line. When you consider the prices 3rd party insurers charge for such cover, I fail to see the justification for 500% & 600% markups at the counter. Not for the first time have I booked a specific car, only to be told it wasn't available. It's called Bait & Switch. Why waste customer's time with car specifics when to have the car you pick becomes the exception, not the rule ? Finally, the car itself. I appreciate it was an 'economy' car, so my expectations weren't high anyway, but I do expect the car to be mechanically perfect at least. The gearbox action was very poor, and 3rd gear in particular seemed at fault. It was nigh-on impossible to change gear without 'grinding' gears - I suspect the synchromesh on 3rd is worn. I specifically did advise this to your agent on return of the car. "

" Collection & drop off were efficient. I still think the costs for zero excess charge insurance are completely out of line. When you consider the prices 3rd party insurers charge for such cover, I fail to see the justification for 500% & 600% markups at the counter. Not for the first time have I booked a specific car, only to be told it wasn't available. It's called Bait & Switch. Why waste customer's time with car specifics when to have the car you pick becomes the exception, not the rule ? Finally, the car itself. I appreciate it was an 'economy' car, so my expectations weren't high anyway, but I do expect the car to be mechanically perfect at least. The gearbox action was very poor, and 3rd gear in particular seemed at fault. It was nigh-on impossible to change gear without 'grinding' gears - I suspect the synchromesh on 3rd is worn. I specifically did advise this to your agent on return of the car. "

Value for Money: 7
Efficiency of Counter Staff: 9
Expediency of Drop-off: 10
Condition of the Vehicle: 9

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by NEIL - 07 March 2014

" No problems at all "

" Good to deal with "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by THOMAS - 28 February 2014

" Auto Europe were very good to deal with. "

" Budget staff not very friendly. Also had bought extra insurance with auto Europe and when collecting car Budget made me pay £13 per day insurance or £850 deposit. "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by FINBARR - 18 November 2013

" An excellent service for a very reasonable price. Thank you! "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by PIOTR - 11 November 2013

" got the voucher sorted in the last day, thank you for your help "

" all issues sorted, good overall experience "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by CHERYL - 05 November 2013

" I have used your service several times and always have used enterprise cars, this time they had no cars available so we went with budget. BIG BIG mistake NEVER again! "

" From start to finish our 1st and LAST experience with Budget a complete disaster. The man at the booking in desk was rude, curt ,smug and totally unpleasant!. The people standing behind us in the que actually said if thats how they treat there customers (meaning me) we will go somewhere else and did!. I should have done the same. The car had to be returned 2 days into the hire as it was virtually undriveable and beaten up.(we were then given a nice car). Nobody explained what to do when returning the car as it was early in the morning and unmanned. A member of staff actually stated thats why we are called Budget when told about all the problems we had encountered!. This hardly seems the best way to treat customers. "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by ROBERT - 13 July 2013

" Cheapest price "

" Straight forward, no hassle rental "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by ALFRED - 19 March 2013

" We were very satisfied with our car and the service provided to us on our trip. "

" Very efficient and we were very well looked after. "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by PAUL - 21 December 2012

" always very helpful, not always the most economical. "

" They are all the same, mostly unhelpful unless you have paid top dollar. "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by STEPHEN - 28 November 2012

" There prices are unbeatable, use them all the time.. "

" Never had a p[roblem, when using Auto Europe I always choose Budget. "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by RITA - 12 October 2012

" Found the Staff very helpful , polite and ensured that I had not miss read any vital information. To provide a map would of benifit to those of us who are not familiar with the roads system . "

" Answered any quiries regarding travel directions and ensured that I was familiar with the operation of the car . "

STANSTED, GB - Reviewed by TERENCE - 07 August 2012