Car Hire Malaga
Discussion
Can anyone recommend a user-friendly non-scamworthy car hire outfit at Malaga airport (if that's not an oxymoron).
There are plenty offering superminis at around £100/wk, but the latest trick appears to be "pay up front for a full tank of fuel, return the car empty". We're mainly hiring as it's not much dearer than taxi transfers, so for the extra outlay we'll have the extra flexibility, but there's little likelihood of using a whole tank of fuel. Alternatively, Sixt and the like charge more than double for a similar class of car.
There are plenty offering superminis at around £100/wk, but the latest trick appears to be "pay up front for a full tank of fuel, return the car empty". We're mainly hiring as it's not much dearer than taxi transfers, so for the extra outlay we'll have the extra flexibility, but there's little likelihood of using a whole tank of fuel. Alternatively, Sixt and the like charge more than double for a similar class of car.
I believe the hire cars are a bus ride away at Malaga. Most operate a full, return empty policy (for any hire over 3 days)and I haven't found one that doesn't. Unfortunately, I think it's part of what makes their prices competitive.
I'm more concerned with getting a tidy car and not one battered by previous drivers.
You'd also be missing out hugely if you didn't drive up into the Alpujarras and maybe even to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and drive up the Sierra Nevada mountain where they test a lot of prototypes.
I'm more concerned with getting a tidy car and not one battered by previous drivers.
You'd also be missing out hugely if you didn't drive up into the Alpujarras and maybe even to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and drive up the Sierra Nevada mountain where they test a lot of prototypes.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 20th June 16:18
http://www.benalmadenacars.net/
used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
We booked with Automotive, through Nova car hire. (http://www.novacarhire.com/) They're based next to the IKEA which makes it really easy to find them when you're coming back. The Shuttle bus is to the right of Arrivals, down the "tunnel" with the other car hire buses. They give you the car empty (almost) and you return it empty (almost).
Recently hired a Berlingo from Goldcar at Reus, but they also operate in Malaga. The car was brand new, clean and in top condition. Cost me £170,with no excess, for a fortnight,but by going through auto europe. If you want complete cover, the 'no excess' doesn't include damage to tyre, windscreen, wing mirror and a few other things, that's another 72 euros for a fortnight,paid locally, to cover these, but that's optional. If you take this they don't need a credit card deposit so they cannot sting you for damage later on (see other threads!!). You also have to pay the full tank return empty con, which all hire companies in spain seem to use, which was another 90 euros or thereabouts. If I'd had the car for a week there was no way that I would have used a fulltank, and as it was, the one tank lasted the fortnight, with no need to refuel and was returned on the red. They must make a fortune with this con.
Edited by SwanJack on Wednesday 20th June 16:40
These guys - http://www.malagacarhire.com/
Based in the UK but they use Nisa Cars at the airport, pay by cash sterling at the destination. Car is full of fuel, bring it back full. None of the usual fuel scams at the airport.
I use them every time.
Based in the UK but they use Nisa Cars at the airport, pay by cash sterling at the destination. Car is full of fuel, bring it back full. None of the usual fuel scams at the airport.
I use them every time.
SwanJack said:
Recently hired a Berlingo from Goldcar at Reus, but they also operate in Malaga. .............. They must make a fortune with this con.
Yes they do, much to my expense. It will be the last time I use Goldcar. The £100 Megane cost me £252 in the end, and probably did 200kms
LuS1fer said:
I believe the hire cars are a bus ride away at Malaga. Most operate a full, return empty policy (for any hire over 3 days)and I haven't found one that doesn't. Unfortunately, I think it's part of what makes their prices competitive.
I'm more concerned with getting a tidy car and not one battered by previous drivers.
You'd also be missing out hugely if you didn't drive up into the Alpujarras and maybe even to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and drive up the Sierra Nevada mountain where they test a lot of prototypes.
Helle Hollis operate without the fuel scam, have presentable cars and are efficient. I don't even bother shopping around anymore due to the way the other operators work. Good advice on the tourism advice.I'm more concerned with getting a tidy car and not one battered by previous drivers.
You'd also be missing out hugely if you didn't drive up into the Alpujarras and maybe even to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and drive up the Sierra Nevada mountain where they test a lot of prototypes.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 20th June 16:18
CharlieCrocodile said:
These guys - http://www.malagacarhire.com/
Based in the UK but they use Nisa Cars at the airport, pay by cash sterling at the destination. Car is full of fuel, bring it back full. None of the usual fuel scams at the airport.
I use them every time.
I'm there 3 or 4 times a year and I'd agree they're as good as any. Based in the UK but they use Nisa Cars at the airport, pay by cash sterling at the destination. Car is full of fuel, bring it back full. None of the usual fuel scams at the airport.
I use them every time.
JCW said:
Helle Hollis operate without the fuel scam, have presentable cars and are efficient. I don't even bother shopping around anymore due to the way the other operators work. Good advice on the tourism advice.
But again, it's no use levelling the scam gun at the other hire companies without a direct price comparison, model for model. In this respect, it's really easy to shop round and save £40-£60 which makes the petrol thing pale somewhat. If one is 3100 more than the scam company, you still stand to be £100 better off if you use the petrol.Broadly speaking, the run of the mill comparison site companies are coming in a shade over £100 for the week, whereas the ones noted above are both (exactly!) £138. It's £30-odd difference, and I'd rather pay that than feel like I've been had over, as we have no idea at present how much we'll use the car and therefore how much fuel we'll use. It's just that for slightly more than a return taxi, we have a car at our disposal all week.
i got done by this early this year! flew into alicante, the airport transfer to benidorm was going to take too long so got someone at home to book online using carhire2000.com was most annoyed at what they told me and they didnt offer refunds! thieveing gits 
drove the car all the way to Benidorm in 3rd gear! still had 3/4 of a tank left and they charge over the odds for fuel
drove the car all the way to Benidorm in 3rd gear! still had 3/4 of a tank left and they charge over the odds for fuel
Anyone got any recent experiences in Malaga? It seems a bit of a minefield!
Of the names I've heard of, SiXT was about the best, but still approaching £300 for a week in the summer school holidays for Fiesta size car.
I tried the local outfit that has a couple of PH recommendations - http://www.benalmadenacars.net - they're only €200 but their minimum excess is €240 and I hate insurance excesses. I imagine in Spain there's a massive risk of minor body damage.
Also looked at http://www.malagacarhire.com – it’s a UK based broker and seems they use Niza Cars. Their price is only €160 and the website mentions "no excess" in several places, but I emailed them to check and it's €9 per day to waive it, with large excess deposit if you don't - completely different to what's on their website and typical of the kind of scam I fear.
Of the names I've heard of, SiXT was about the best, but still approaching £300 for a week in the summer school holidays for Fiesta size car.
I tried the local outfit that has a couple of PH recommendations - http://www.benalmadenacars.net - they're only €200 but their minimum excess is €240 and I hate insurance excesses. I imagine in Spain there's a massive risk of minor body damage.
Also looked at http://www.malagacarhire.com – it’s a UK based broker and seems they use Niza Cars. Their price is only €160 and the website mentions "no excess" in several places, but I emailed them to check and it's €9 per day to waive it, with large excess deposit if you don't - completely different to what's on their website and typical of the kind of scam I fear.
Vixpy1 said:
http://www.benalmadenacars.net/
used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
You can't beat Carlos! He will always help you out if he can.used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
His office is a short walk from our villa, great guy.
Rosscow said:
Vixpy1 said:
http://www.benalmadenacars.net/
used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
You can't beat Carlos! He will always help you out if he can.used by myself and other PH'ers, they are very good and meet you at the airport
His office is a short walk from our villa, great guy.
Thanks - had a reply from Carlos and he was surprised he's recommended on PistonHeads!
He can't reduce the excess below €240, which bothers me a bit. I understand his staff meet you at the airport - what happens about the return? Don't fancy having to hunt someone down.
MalagaCarHire.com cam back and explained the excess discrepancy - they're changing their terms in a few days. Currently there's no bodywork excess and everything else can be waived for €4. This would make then under €200 for the week all in.
He can't reduce the excess below €240, which bothers me a bit. I understand his staff meet you at the airport - what happens about the return? Don't fancy having to hunt someone down.
MalagaCarHire.com cam back and explained the excess discrepancy - they're changing their terms in a few days. Currently there's no bodywork excess and everything else can be waived for €4. This would make then under €200 for the week all in.
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