Man, I wish I had known about this subreddit earlier. When I rented a car in Germany back in May, the one I had reserved was not available, but they hooked me up with a free upgrade. I picked it up in this dimly lit garage and, armed with just my phone flashlight, did a quick walkaround. At that moment, I didn’t spot any damage, though now I’m kicking myself for not taking a video. But let’s be real, even if I had, I doubt it would have captured the scratches that Sixt is now accusing me of.
The rental itself was smooth, and the car was a dream. However, a few weeks post-return, I received an email from them claiming I owed them a hefty sum of 815.40€ for some supposed damage to the rim. I’ve been battling it out with them for what feels like forever, but I’ve finally thrown in the towel and started a Collision Damage Waiver claim with Visa. They shot over some photos highlighting these alleged rim scratches, but here’s the kicker – I only did highway driving, no off-roading adventures here. I did snap a pic a couple of days before returning the car, but alas, it’s not detailed enough to show whether the damage was there or not.
I can’t help but wonder, could it be that rental companies like Sixt are purposely giving out cars with minor imperfections and then hitting customers with charges if they fail to document every little scratch and dent? Lesson learned, folks: steer clear of Sixt like it’s the plague. Seems like this isn’t an isolated incident, especially when renting overseas. If only I had known earlier, I would have chosen differently.
So, here are the takeaways from my ordeal: firstly, avoid Sixt at all costs. This kind of shady business practice seems to be a recurring theme with them, especially outside the country. Secondly, always whip out your phone and capture a video, especially if the lighting is less than ideal. Snap close-up shots of all the rims and tires, too. It’s a pain, but it could save you a major headache down the line.