Centauro Reviews 130

We have rented cars from Centauro in Alicante several times a year for many years — always with full coverage, and we have never had a problem before.

This time, however, we received the car late and paid an additional fee for the late pickup, which was fair enough. The car appeared to be in perfect condition, so I did not take any pictures when we received it.

When returning the car, the staff pointed out that the parcel shelf (hat shelf) was missing. I explained that I never removed it, but the employee insisted that if I had a picture from pickup, she could remove the charge — unfortunately, I did not, as everything seemed fine at the time.

Later, I received an email from Centauro asking for feedback, saying it was very important for their business. I described the situation and mentioned that I would be very disappointed if they charged me for something I hadn’t done. Unfortunately, I can now see that they did — I have been charged 279 EUR for the missing parcel shelf.

What makes it even worse is that I have not heard anything back from Centauro after submitting my feedback.

After so many positive experiences with them, this feels extremely unfair and disappointing. I sincerely hope they will reconsider how they handle cases like this, as it damages the trust of loyal customers like us.

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Unprofessional and Rude Behaviour at Centauro Mallorca Airport Office

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally raise a complaint regarding my experience today with your staff at Centauro Mallorca Airport. Unfortunately, the behaviour I encountered was unprofessional, rude, and completely unacceptable, and it has resulted in the cancellation of my confirmed booking.

I had a confirmed booking with Centauro from 03 October 2025 to 04 October 2025. However, as today is 02 October 2025, I went to your office to ask if my reservation could be brought forward by one day and simply combined with my existing booking. To my surprise, the counter staff refused outright, without any willingness to help or even check options.

When I later asked if I could make a new booking from 02 October to 04 October, a different staff member quoted me €170, which I considered too expensive. I politely declined and explained that I would look for another option. I did not cancel my confirmed booking at that time.

What followed was shocking and completely unacceptable. When I boarded your shuttle bus to return to the airport, a young male staff member boy in yellow shirt approached me and, in a very rude manner, ordered me and my friend to leave the bus, saying we could not use it and should either walk or book a taxi. This was deeply insulting and humiliating. For a company that advertises customer service, this is disgraceful behaviour.

As a result, I immediately cancelled my booking with Centauro and went instead to Click Rent, located nearby. Their staff treated us with professionalism and respect, and I rented a car there for £140. This is money that could have gone to Centauro, but because of the behaviour of your staff, you lost both a customer and revenue.

I am from the UK and travel frequently. This was my first time booking with Centauro, and it will certainly be my last. I will also be sharing my experience publicly on social media platforms including X, Instagram, and Facebook so that others are aware of the unprofessional and rude behaviour I faced.

Your staff’s actions are damaging Centauro’s reputation and discouraging future business. I strongly urge you to review the CCTV footage from today at your Mallorca Airport office and shuttle bus, as this will confirm my account of events.

I have attached my booking details for reference.

I expect a formal response from you regarding this matter.

Centauro Alicante Airport
We flew to Alicante after an early morning flight and had booked Centauro to hire our vehicle for our two weeks stay. They were considerably cheaper than their competitors, as much as under half the price. This was the only positive in terms of the booking.
While attempting to process the booking at the airport the Centauro staff member was rude and abrasive. He insisted we had to purchase their insurance (25 Euros daily) otherwise if the vehicle sustained any damage, we would be liable to cover the entire costs. Similarly, without Centauro insurance, he stated if the vehicle broke down, we would have to cover the expensive costs of the recovery. We had done our homework and taken out our alternative, cheaper car hire insurance. He eventually got the message (and obviously no commission) but the experience was unpleasant and unnecessary.
We then went downstairs to the basement of the terminal where the office and car park was situated. I was instructed to go to a bay, but our car was not there. I returned to the office twice, the staff member insisted the car was parked in the correct bay. He then followed me and suddenly pointed at another bay before scurrying back to the office.
Upon return to Alicante Airport two weeks later, no members of staff were visibly present in the car park. Only one was in the office. He stated the vehicle did not need inspecting and I could hand back the keys. I insisted on them inspecting the vehicle which they eventually did. The identified two damaged areas. One was a minor door scuff mark and the other under the bonnet. They charged 200 euros for each damaged area, 400 euro in total, which fortunately and efficiently our insurance policy covered. I did not check under the vehicle upon receiving it which was a mistake so the damage may have been there already. I would also recommend taking pictures of any of the damage to the vehicle which the insurance will require. Another mistake was I didn’t take a picture of the alleged damage underneath the car.
Since returning home it has been torturous dealing with Centauro. If you are registered online with them, you can raise a ticket which covers several various topics, such as fuel refunds, but the process doesn’t get you anywhere and they usually close it instantaneously. They did eventually provide some pictures of the damage some 7 weeks after I requested it, but the insurance company had thankfully already reimbursed us.
I returned the vehicle with a full tank of fuel, they charged 130 euros for this upon collection of the vehicle but it cost me less than 90 euros refuel it from near empty.
They also list the e-mail address of the Spanish ombudsman on their website if one wishes to raise a complaint, which I did but so far, no acknowledgement let alone a response. Maybe they don’t communicate or respond to non-Spanish communications. If this is the case they could state this on the website.
Despite after nearly two months, they did not respond to any of my communications until last week, when they informed me the fuel payment of 130 euros was used to pay for the damage to the vehicle! This is not acceptable. This is not in the terms and conditions of the vehicle hire. They just appear to want their customers to give up on being reimbursed for a payment they are entitled too.
In case of any doubt I don’t recommend Centauro Alicante Airport, their prices might be competitive but their customer care is abysmal and they do not reimburse customers for payments which they are entitled too.

Arrived Corfu at midnight. Luckily found the shuttle bus . Hopped on. . the company was fine ..asked to give insurance but I declined.
Car has only been driven for 50km.
Gave the car back and then looked around the car and said there's damage on the front bumper ...(Right on the bottom part) The scuff looks like it's been there a while . As I had little time to dispute the damage I had to pay or if miss the flight back home.
They did not inform me of any previous damages as they were both waiting to lock up and go home , instead asking me to take pictures of the damage . Seems like they were taking advantage of the fact we didn't pay for extra insurance.

Most extremely unhelpful car hire firm I’ve ever encountered in over 13 years in Kefalonia!
Left stranded at Kefalonia airport late at night when they refused me car hire, as my licence expired during the rental and new one not received. In fairness, they had told me on the phone in advance that there would be a problem and advised me to contact Booking . Com to cancel.
However, Booking . Com agent assured me that as long as I had a DVLA code that the firm could check that I had a current licence after the presented one expired, there would be no problems. I duly printed of updated current UK Gov official paperwork proving that my licence had been renewed and covered the whole of the rental period and way beyond. Simply my new one had not arrived in time due to a Bank Holiday in UK.
However, this was not good enough for the Centauro customer services agent at the airport. I asked to speak to the manager, who refused to speak to me.
When I said “well just let me have the car until the current licence expires in 5 days, they again refused ‘in case I didn’t return it’. “
I could not immediately find the Booking . Com phone number and so the rental firm closed leaving me sitting outside.
Thankfully I have some excellent Greek friends and I was on my way to my apartment some hours later but without the car I had paid for.
They said “my friend , why you use that firm? They are worst on the island!”
I had used this firm only once before and they gave me a car that had an awful engine squeak, which I diagnosed as a possible alternator bearing failure.
I pointed this out on collection and was told it was ok “the engine is running in” Er no. But late at night we took the car and put up with the awful squealing and knocking.
There is a happy end though. Today Booking . Com apologised and made me a refund.
I phoned AddCar at the airport and the manager, Makis, was more than helpful. I collect a car soon from them, with my DVLA certificate as proof of licence.
Used them many times previously and always first rate.
Lesson learnt!

Awful service! Rented a car from Lisbon airport after waiting almost 2 hours despite a prior reservation. Paid extra for a driver and told the representative I would be driving the car to Spain that night. I was given an SOS number to call if I need roadside assistance. The rental car tire had a blowout (tire was torn to bits) when I was on the outskirts of Barcelona. I called the SOS number only to be told they could not help me. My friend and I, two women in a country we were not familiar with, were left stranded by the company's roadside assistance representative. On top of that, they told me I would be charged a penalty for taking the car out of Portugal! I paid 750 Euro to get the tire replaced in Barcelona. When I returned the car to Lisbon two days later, I was told the tire was "garbage" and that I should have replaced two tires at once. The male representative was extremely rude and unprofessional. I was then charged an additional 300 Euro by the company to replace a second tire (that was perfectly fine) and then also charged a 600 Euro penalty for taking the car to Spain.
This company does not care about its customers. A rental that should have cost me $170 for one week (including the cost of adding a second driver) ended up costing me close to $2000!

Centauro Thessaloniki airport : Firstly extremely late to shuttle us to get the car . Secondly, I bought refundable excess when booking through Autoeurope (never buy directly from them! it will be very hard to push them to comply with T&C and they know it so they will fleece you ). They casually give you a car which is very high mileage and not that clean inside or out. But on return a very aggressive and rude employee tried to find fault with a bit of sand in the interior (only because they said the Refundable Excess does not cover the interior!) saying it "dries out" the [fine] tapestry on the seat and the floor. It was normal soiling of a used car, nothing excessive but he was trying hard to find fault to charge! Be awere also they hide behind a "management in Spain" where you have no recourse and they fight hard to rip you off. So must always take pictures from before and after as they are probably doing this systematically. Thankfully, by persevering knowing AutoEurope is behind, there was no trouble in the end but they deserve less than 1 star from beginning to end

Centauros customer service does not work - their customer service does not answer us!
All negative Trustpilot-customer get the answer: contact our customer service.
But we can tell You: they will never ever answer!!!!

Is this what customers can expect from Centauro Rent a Car ?

It is legally and in every sense completely unacceptable, that Centauro has not refunded 604 Euro from a timely correct cancelled rental.

We booked the car 24.1.2024 - booking ref. 240124-780580
Unfortunately we had to cancel our holiday - and cancelled the booking on 6.2.2024.
We have sent You documentation - a bank statement.
We have also sent you a copy of your petrol refund.
We still need a refund of the car rental - 604 Euro.

The only answer we get is this one (two months ago):
"Your case 811335811 is being managed by the correct department, please wait for an answer on the ticket 811335811.

Kind regards,
Marta F. "

We made one mistake. After the cancelling we deleted our account (by mistake)
Our refund disappeared from the account - and it was gone when we restored it.
604 Euro.
Somebody must have removed our 604 Euro - who has the access to do that?

We have made several complains and asked you for the refund.
No answer - yet!

When picking up the car on Saturday 20/04 in Murcia, their employee/Manager Anna Belen wrongly charged me for 116,00 Eur with extra insurance. And this without asking or proposing it to me. A day later I went back to the office to make the complaint and ask for a refund.
Since Anna wasn’t at the office un Sunday, I had to call her on Monday myself (because calling the unsatisfied customer back appears not to be within here duties) … Buth that also turned out to be unsuccessful because she also wasn't able to make the refund.
It’s very criminal to engage in such practices and I'm still requesting for the rectification and refund of the unjustified bill, but the customer service is also not very "customer friendly" or helpful ....
Karin De Kegel

Poor customer service.
Barcelona Airport.
Our flight was an evening flight that got delayed. We landed just after 10pm but security/passport was chaos.
It was 10.45pm by the time we got out of the airport and we tried phoning their customer support to get hold of Centauro local office but the number just kept ringing. Local office is outside the airport grounds and requires shuttle bus. Whilst walking to the shuttle bus we could only watch as it drove off without us and left us stranded at the airport (with a young child). No answer on the phones and office shuts at 11pm. Had to get a taxi (costing 120E) to our accommodation. Phoned Centauro the next morning only to be told by them they cancelled our car hire as we hadn't collected or contacted them within 12 hours of collection time. Customer service was a joke. Luckily Zest refunded us part of the cost and organised a new car hire for us. When complained direct to the office staff at Centauro Barcelona they couldn't have cared less.

I book a car in Italy in Bologna Airport. I paid 1.400 euro for a deposit with a debit card. At the end of my rental they said the money will be soon be back to my bank account. But they did not and after 2
Months I am still waiting not only for a reimbursement but also for Someone from the customer service who can contact me. I wrote 5 emails with a complain asking for the proof of the payment they said they have done, no reply. My bank said they should give me the proof but they are not doing it and they still have my money.
It is an horrible experience. So bad service.
I would like someone from the company explain to me why my they are not giving back my money.
This is my booking reference IR23192804 766473768

We hired on line a care 35O euros. Arrived in Herraklion, we had the bad surprise to have to pay 350 euros for the insurance of the car- so, double price!!!
Other choices?
Yes, you can given up the rent (and loose 350 euros), or make a deposit of 1000 euros - .The smallest hitch will be priced 300 euros- otherwise it will be return 1 or 2 months after will bring the car back."..."What if we don't see our money back?" "Well...nothing we do about it. You just have to contact your bank! And I just need to add, that yes on the site we rented the car on, it was mentioned that we could use Debit or Credi card. Lol !!! What a crook!

I had made a booking with Centauro through rentalcars.com, and things took a frustrating turn from there. When I went to pick up the car, the agents requested to check my passport and driving license. But, to my surprise, they flat out denied giving me the car, citing the lack of a Credit Card. Now, here's the kicker: the Terms and Conditions explicitly mentioned that both Credit and Debit cards were acceptable.

I can't help but feel that there were some underlying discriminatory vibes going on, considering how the front desk agents behaved that day. And guess what? They wouldn't even mark their refusal on the system, blaming it on me and saying I should've sorted it out directly with rentalcars.com. Like, really?

Speaking of rentalcars.com, they've been no better. Every attempt I made – even going as far as bank chargeback requests – to get my money back for a service I never got (thanks to their "no show" declaration) was flat out rejected.

Both companies, Centauro and rentalcars.com, have left me massively disappointed. My money's vanished into thin air, and you can bet your bottom dollar I won't be dealing with them ever again. Talk about vacation plans going down the drain!

I got a message from Centauro 20 July 2023 that they would answer me in 12-14 days after using a special contact form to them.
Today 23 days later was the answers from the "moon"!
Nothing written from me was answered . Nothing of the promises given in March was fulfilled . Empty words. Good Night!

Absolutely scam of a company. I purchased extra insurance before I got out there with AXA and when I went to pick up my car they said my credit card didn’t work. I am with Barclaycard and had used my card on the day at another retailer so I knew it was working. Made me pay for extra insurance over £280 as otherwise i had no car for my holiday. There was nothing wrong with my card, they said it had been declined but on speaking to the credit card company there were no declined transactions. They are ripping people off and no one to speak to or ring you back. My family used Autorent and said they were fanatastic. Would never use this company again it made my holiday experience unsettling. Also it is miles away from faro airport.

They ripped me off on fuel. They said it had a full tank but it only had 1/2 a tank. They changed the reciept but teduse to refund the full deposit taken for fuel.

Beware Cagliari Airport the latest scam…
Beware Cagliari Airport the latest scam by Centauro. when we arrived 9th May 2023, they tried to push us to buy additional insurance €260, Reg.No: GM145WJ. we are refused. when we return the car they are making that Trick to us, The rear light was inside the bumper, they loosened the screw on the light, said the light was loose ,but the light was not broken, doesn't have any damage how can the then blamed us for damaging the light. I think They do this mean thing to everyone who rents this car Reg.No: GM145WJ, have to be careful this trick.

they forced us to deduct €290. This is dishonest and immoral.
Date of experience: 16 May 2023

I rented a car in Italy (Malpensa) in November 2022 and everything was fine until you ran into difficulties. Centauro sent me a fine of 926.93 euros. Surprisingly, this turned out to be a collective fine on all private car renters for the period. You must find your fine yourself in this list by finding out the number of your car (it turns out you need to remember it) and the date. When I called support, they told me that they don't have an English-speaking manager to help sort it out.
After writing to support, I received an auto-response that they would answer in 7-10 days (of course, I'm still waiting for this answer).
Having recognized the number of the rented car and paid a fine, and this is 5.65 euros, the fun began. Centauro charges 50 euros from your card for assistance and 43 euros for processing without warning. For a fine of 5.65, you will additionally lose 93 euros when you see the deductions on your bank card (it turns out that this is written in the 85-page agreement that is posted on their website). Keep this in mind if you decide to rent a car from them.

WARNING WARNING !!!
Le quiero advertir de NO ALQUILAR coches en la empresa CENTAURO !!!
Es una empresa de estafa, de mala fe y mentirosa
No debia de existir este tipo de empresas !
Tener cuidado cuando alquilais un coche porque lo que indica es publicidad de mentira, vereis que el precio es mas barato que las grandes empresas de alquiler tipo EUROPCAR o AVIS … pero NO ES !!!
Porque no dicen que no incluye el seguro a todos riesgos. Lo que cuentas 60 Euros : cuando calculais el precio del alquiler final cuesta el mismo precio de las grandes y mas seguras empresas de alquiler.
Cuando no cogeis este suplemento esta empresa de estafador inventa un dano en el coche cuando lo has devuelto para cobrartela franquicia. Para mi caso es mas de 500 Euros !!! Con unos danos de coche inventados y sin justificacion !!
Les aconsejo de NO ALQUILAR CON ESTA EMPRESA !!!

WARNING WARNING !!!
Je tiens à vous avertir de ne PAS LOUER de voitures avec la société CENTAURO !!! C'est une entreprise d'arnaque, de mauvaise foi et menteuse !
Ce type de société ne devrait pas exister !
Attention quand vous louez une voiture car le prix indiqué est purement et simplement MENSONGER !!! Vous verrez que le prix est moins cher que les grands loueurs comme EUROPCAR ou AVIS... mais CE N'EST PAS LE CAS !!!
Parce qu'ils ne disent pas que cela n'inclut pas l'assurance tous risques. Il faut donc rajouter au minimum 60 Euros : lorsque vous calculez le prix de la location finale, cela coûte le même prix que les grandes sociétés de location plus sûres. Lorsque vous ne prenez pas ce supplément, cette entreprise d'arnaque invente des dommages sur la voiture une fois que vous l'avez rendue pour récupérer la franchise. Dans mon cas ils m’ont prélevé à mon insu plus de 500 Euros !!! Avec des dommages inventés et sans justification aucune !! Je vous conseille de NE SURTOUT PAS LOUER AVEC CETTE ENTREPRISE !!!

WARNING WARNING !!!
I want to warn you to NOT RENT cars at the CENTAURO company !!!
It is a BAD company, in bad faith and SCAMS
This type of company should not exist!
Be careful when you rent a car because what it indicates is false advertising, you will see that the price is cheaper than the large rental companies such as EUROPCAR or AVIS ... but IT IS NOT !!! Because they don't indicate it doesn't include all-risk insurance. What you will pay for minimum 60 Euros: when you calculate the price of the final rental it costs the same price of the big and safer rental companies. When you do not take this supplement, this scam company invents damage to the car when you have returned it to collect the excess. For my case it is more than 500 Euros !!! With some invented car damage and without justification !! I advise you to NOT RENT WITH THIS COMPANY !!!

STAY AWAY Be very careful, stay away from Centauro rent a car. They provide cars with damages that are not shown on the delivered note just to stay with your deposit This is their business model. I rented frequently cars when traveling and Centauro rent a car Porto was the worse experience ever.
I rent a car in Centauro Porto Portugal, when the car was given to me I have detect several defects that were not report in the delivery note. I mention the damaged-on wheels to Centauro responsible that told me that the screech in the wheels were fine and the other wheels were marked. My mistake was that I trust in Centauro and did not took pictures. For a small scratch in the two wheels (that I was told that was not a problem), they charge me 1000 euros.
When inquire why they don’t fix the other wheels marked in the delivery note from the previous damages, they told that the wheels can still be used therefore no need to fixed although they charged the customer for fixing them. I ask my self how many times different customers must pay for the same damaged since they do not noted intentionally all the damages in the car in the delivery note.
Clearly Centauro rent car business model is not to rent cars but charge their costumer for damages that they not make and stay with your deposit. I have read several reviews in the internet about Centauro rental car and I can see that we are not the first ones with similar complains. Centauro has very dishonest business model. THE Message is simple STAY AWAY from Centauro Rent a car.