TC
Tempest Car Hire
Verified Business
TC
Tempest Car Hire
Verified Business
49 Reviews (last 12 months)
Responds in 47 hours 35 min
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Tempest Car Hire faces severe criticism across nearly every aspect of its service. Customers consistently report hidden surcharges, particularly the controversial Code 10/C1 licence surcharge and excessive R405 per-fine administration fees. Deposit refund delays and overcharges dominate complaints, with some customers waiting weeks or receiving incorrect debits. Poor communication is a recurring frustration, with unanswered emails, unreturned calls, and unresolved damage disputes. Fabricated or undocumented vehicle damage claims further erode trust. Only rare positive experiences highlight friendly staff and efficient service at select branches.
Performance(last 12 months):
0Trustindex Rating
#44Ranked In Automotive
47h 35mReply Time
-53 NPSUnlikely
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 48 hours 2 min
TrustIndex
0
Ranking
#44
in Automotive
Avg Reply
47h 35m
NPS Score
-53
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 48 hours 2 min
Review Distribution
1.3|49 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(4.3%)
4(2.1%)
3(2.1%)
2(6.4%)
1(85.1%)
5(4.3%)
4(2.1%)
3(2.1%)
2(6.4%)
1(85.1%)
Frequently Asked Questions About Tempest Car Hire
Based on recent customer reviews, Tempest Car Hire faces severe criticism across nearly every aspect of its service. Customers consistently report hidden surcharges, particularly the controversial Code 10/C1 licence surcharge and excessive R405 per-fine administration fees. Deposit refund delays and overcharges dominate complaints, with some customers waiting weeks or receiving incorrect debits. Poor communication is a recurring frustration, with unanswered emails, unreturned calls, and unresolved damage disputes. Fabricated or undocumented vehicle damage claims further erode trust. Only rare positive experiences highlight friendly staff and efficient service at select branches.
Tempest Car Hire has a TrustIndex of 0 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 49 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 98% of negative reviews, typically within 48 hours 2 min. Hellopeter has tracked Tempest Car Hire across 760 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (49)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceRS
Reinhardt S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
18 Mar 2026, 09:29
R400 admin fee for getting a R800 traffic fine.
Absolute *******. Read their small print. They charged us R400 admin fee for getting a R800 traffic fine.
Helpful (0)
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Reinhardt S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
18 Mar 2026, 09:29
R400 admin fee for getting a R800 traffic fine.
Absolute *******. Read their small print. They charged us R400 admin fee for getting a R800 traffic fine.
0
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WireFree W
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 14:01
Bad customer service
I asked for my company details to be added to the booking and the invoice when I collected the car. The agent at the office said that this was done. After dropping off the car I received an invoice for the fuel without my company details. Teboho Mahanyele refuses to add my company details because he is too lazy. I have also not received the invoice for the rental.
Helpful (0)
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WireFree W
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 14:01
Bad customer service
I asked for my company details to be added to the booking and the invoice when I collected the car. The agent at the office said that this was done. After dropping off the car I received an invoice for the fuel without my company details. Teboho Mahanyele refuses to add my company details because he is too lazy. I have also not received the invoice for the rental.
0
Replies (0)LM
Leon M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:38
Billed for a Payment Already Made — Poor Account Management and Communication
I am extremely disappointed with the billing experience I have had with Tempest Hire / Europcar. Despite settling an outstanding balance of R1,760.57, which was deducted from my bank account on 27 February 2026, I continued to receive emails demanding payment of an amount that had already been paid in full. I have had to follow up with supporting bank statement evidence to prove a payment that should have been easily verifiable on their end. This reflects a serious failure in account reconciliation and customer communication. I urge Tempest Hire / Europcar to review their billing and payment tracking processes to avoid putting other customers through the same unnecessary frustration. Clients should not have to fight to prove that they have already paid. I am still awaiting confirmation that my account has been updated accordingly. I hope this matter is resolved promptly and that no further demands for this settled amount are issued.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LM
Leon M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:38
Billed for a Payment Already Made — Poor Account Management and Communication
I am extremely disappointed with the billing experience I have had with Tempest Hire / Europcar. Despite settling an outstanding balance of R1,760.57, which was deducted from my bank account on 27 February 2026, I continued to receive emails demanding payment of an amount that had already been paid in full. I have had to follow up with supporting bank statement evidence to prove a payment that should have been easily verifiable on their end. This reflects a serious failure in account reconciliation and customer communication. I urge Tempest Hire / Europcar to review their billing and payment tracking processes to avoid putting other customers through the same unnecessary frustration. Clients should not have to fight to prove that they have already paid. I am still awaiting confirmation that my account has been updated accordingly. I hope this matter is resolved promptly and that no further demands for this settled amount are issued.
0
Replies (0)TK
Tiaan K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Mar 2026, 17:06
Dishonest company
Stay away from Tempest. They are i credibly dishonest. I dropped the rental car off and got confirmation from the agent thay everything was in perfect order. HOURS later they mail me that they suddenly found a scratch that appeared and want me to fill in an incident report. They supp**** no proof of the scratch and cannot prove that they did not cause it. These people are dishonest and their business practices are bad. Stay away from them, there are much better rental agencies out there that will not try moves like this.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TK
Tiaan K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Mar 2026, 17:06
Dishonest company
Stay away from Tempest. They are i credibly dishonest. I dropped the rental car off and got confirmation from the agent thay everything was in perfect order. HOURS later they mail me that they suddenly found a scratch that appeared and want me to fill in an incident report. They supp**** no proof of the scratch and cannot prove that they did not cause it. These people are dishonest and their business practices are bad. Stay away from them, there are much better rental agencies out there that will not try moves like this.
0
Replies (0)MR
Mr R
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Mar 2026, 10:25
POOR SERVICE
Called TEMPEST MIDRAND earlier to ask about my refund,Thabang took my details and told me he will check with the accounts department and will call me back.I waited for 2hours but no call from Thabang,i then called again same day after 2 hours and Clifton answered and told me Thabang is on leave, he just came to the office to have a meeting with the manager ,then i asked Clifton to follow up on my case and he told me i should wait for Thabang to give me a call,i asked him how can i wait for someone who's on leave why can't he do a follow up on my query,he told me he can't do it because Thabang has already done it,it can't be done twice. Now i have to call customer service on my own airtime again because Clifton is not willing to assist.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)MR
Mr R
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Mar 2026, 10:25
POOR SERVICE
Called TEMPEST MIDRAND earlier to ask about my refund,Thabang took my details and told me he will check with the accounts department and will call me back.I waited for 2hours but no call from Thabang,i then called again same day after 2 hours and Clifton answered and told me Thabang is on leave, he just came to the office to have a meeting with the manager ,then i asked Clifton to follow up on my case and he told me i should wait for Thabang to give me a call,i asked him how can i wait for someone who's on leave why can't he do a follow up on my query,he told me he can't do it because Thabang has already done it,it can't be done twice. Now i have to call customer service on my own airtime again because Clifton is not willing to assist.
0
Replies (0)TF
Tony F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Mar 2026, 10:23
Fine Print dangers
Be very careful when renting a vehicle from Tempest. If you receive a traffic fine, they charge an additional R405 administrative fee on top of the actual fine amount. While their six-page terms and conditions (printed in extremely small font) do mention that an administrative fee will be charged for fines, they do not specify that the fee is R405. I was also provided with a lengthy explanation of the various actions they claim to take when a fine is issued on one of their vehicles, much of which sounded like legal jargon designed to protect their interests. My advice is simple: if you hire a vehicle from them, make sure you read the "fine" print carefully and understand all potential additional charges.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TF
Tony F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Mar 2026, 10:23
Fine Print dangers
Be very careful when renting a vehicle from Tempest. If you receive a traffic fine, they charge an additional R405 administrative fee on top of the actual fine amount. While their six-page terms and conditions (printed in extremely small font) do mention that an administrative fee will be charged for fines, they do not specify that the fee is R405. I was also provided with a lengthy explanation of the various actions they claim to take when a fine is issued on one of their vehicles, much of which sounded like legal jargon designed to protect their interests. My advice is simple: if you hire a vehicle from them, make sure you read the "fine" print carefully and understand all potential additional charges.
0
Replies (0)AM
Aphiwe M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 17:45
Tempest Car Rental lack of communication and transparentcy
I am extremely disappointed with the lack of communication from Tempest Car Rental regarding a vehicle I returned on 15 February. When I returned the car, there was a small dent on the fender. This was not caused by an accident, it appears that someone may have leaned on the vehicle. I have sent emails asking: How long the mechanic’s assessment and repairs will take. They informed me after I called on 20 February 2026. Whether a claim has been submitted to insurance How much excess, if any, will be deducted from my security deposit To date, I have received no response. The complete lack of communication is unacceptable. As a customer, I expect transparency and timely updates, especially when it involves potential deductions from my deposit. I would appreciate urgent feedback on this matter so that it can be resolved fairly and without further delay.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)AM
Aphiwe M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 17:45
Tempest Car Rental lack of communication and transparentcy
I am extremely disappointed with the lack of communication from Tempest Car Rental regarding a vehicle I returned on 15 February. When I returned the car, there was a small dent on the fender. This was not caused by an accident, it appears that someone may have leaned on the vehicle. I have sent emails asking: How long the mechanic’s assessment and repairs will take. They informed me after I called on 20 February 2026. Whether a claim has been submitted to insurance How much excess, if any, will be deducted from my security deposit To date, I have received no response. The complete lack of communication is unacceptable. As a customer, I expect transparency and timely updates, especially when it involves potential deductions from my deposit. I would appreciate urgent feedback on this matter so that it can be resolved fairly and without further delay.
0
Replies (0)mM
molokomme M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
4 Feb 2026, 12:10
Tempest car hire ****mers my deposit
Tempest car hire East London Airport. Very service and **** me out of my money.
Helpful (0)
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molokomme M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
4 Feb 2026, 12:10
Tempest car hire ****mers my deposit
Tempest car hire East London Airport. Very service and **** me out of my money.
0
Replies (0)