Based on recent customer reviews, Tempest Car Hire draws sustained criticism around billing practices rather than the vehicles themselves. Renters repeatedly report refuelling charges after filling up, R405 traffic fine admin fees, Code 10 licence surcharges and one-way drop-off costs that were never explained at collection. Delayed or rejected security deposit refunds, disputed scratch and dent claims, and unanswered emails compound the frustration. A minority praise individual staff at Kimberley, Cape Town and head office for fast, friendly and genuinely helpful service.
TrustIndex
2.6
NPS Score
-58
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Tempest Car Hire
What do customers say about Tempest Car Hire?
Based on recent customer reviews, Tempest Car Hire draws sustained criticism around billing practices rather than the vehicles themselves. Renters repeatedly report refuelling charges after filling up, R405 traffic fine admin fees, Code 10 licence surcharges and one-way drop-off costs that were never explained at collection. Delayed or rejected security deposit refunds, disputed scratch and dent claims, and unanswered emails compound the frustration. A minority praise individual staff at Kimberley, Cape Town and head office for fast, friendly and genuinely helpful service.
Is Tempest Car Hire trustworthy?
Tempest Car Hire has a TrustIndex of 2.6 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 42 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 90% of negative reviews, typically within 45 hours 5 min. Hellopeter has tracked Tempest Car Hire across 758 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (42)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Sept 2016
ABSOLUTE WORSE COMPANY TO EVER HIRE A CAR FROM. DISHONEST ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH. DONT EVER DEAL WITH
Firstly I gave the car back with a full tank (which was filled about 5 kms away from their offices) and was still charged for refueling and given a dishonest and unfair explanation about it when I called the call centre. Secondly I originally hired the car for 7 days and then needed to extend for another 2 days. I called the call centre to extend and was asked if they can debit my credit card another R705 for the 2 days which I agreed to. Now the statement shows that amount was added to my deposit and that now the 2 extra days were actually an amount of R954 or something like that. None of this was explained to me and you guys are being dishonest with people's money. Be truthful and tell people everything that they're getting themselves into before they sign to rent your cars. How do you expect to run a successful business when it's based on lies and dishonesty. Thirdly I was charged for toll charges which are now also being deducted from my deposit. This was also not explained to me and I wasn't made aware of this. How can you charge people for tolls when the tolls are no longer in effect? I want an e toll statement from you guys showing that amount and I want the agreement that I signed showing that I agreed to all these extra charges.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2016
ABSOLUTE WORSE COMPANY TO EVER HIRE A CAR FROM. DISHONEST ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH. DONT EVER DEAL WITH
Firstly I gave the car back with a full tank (which was filled about 5 kms away from their offices) and was still charged for refueling and given a dishonest and unfair explanation about it when I called the call centre. Secondly I originally hired the car for 7 days and then needed to extend for another 2 days. I called the call centre to extend and was asked if they can debit my credit card another R705 for the 2 days which I agreed to. Now the statement shows that amount was added to my deposit and that now the 2 extra days were actually an amount of R954 or something like that. None of this was explained to me and you guys are being dishonest with people's money. Be truthful and tell people everything that they're getting themselves into before they sign to rent your cars. How do you expect to run a successful business when it's based on lies and dishonesty. Thirdly I was charged for toll charges which are now also being deducted from my deposit. This was also not explained to me and I wasn't made aware of this. How can you charge people for tolls when the tolls are no longer in effect? I want an e toll statement from you guys showing that amount and I want the agreement that I signed showing that I agreed to all these extra charges.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2026
*** Licence **************, refuse to refund.
Fee deduction for *** licence, refuse to refund me. I had no accidents. They did not properly disclose that they will deduct money because I am allowed to drive vechile up to 16 TONNES which is much bigger than the car I hired. The discriminate against certain licence holders. They lady at front desk assured me all will get my money on hold back, now they refuse.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2026
*** Licence **************, refuse to refund.
Fee deduction for *** licence, refuse to refund me. I had no accidents. They did not properly disclose that they will deduct money because I am allowed to drive vechile up to 16 TONNES which is much bigger than the car I hired. The discriminate against certain licence holders. They lady at front desk assured me all will get my money on hold back, now they refuse.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2022
Non compliance with CPA
I rented a car the weekend of 26-27 September and when I made the booking online they stated that the rental amount was R1596 when I got to *** I had to pay over R7k for the car hire and deposit when the agreement that was sent to me via *** did not stipulate a deposit amount. Furthermore when I enquired about the refund I was told by the refunds department that the rental ijt was over R2k which was NOT the case and they deducted a toll gate fee when I never even used a toll gate on the road that I was travelling this is ridiculous I would never use this car hire again seriously! I want my full amount back which excludes the rental amount that I was told would be R1596 this is pathetic knowing people are vulnerable to needing a car when in an entirely new place is ridiculous to increase costs when you state one cost when making a booking
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2022
Non compliance with CPA
I rented a car the weekend of 26-27 September and when I made the booking online they stated that the rental amount was R1596 when I got to *** I had to pay over R7k for the car hire and deposit when the agreement that was sent to me via *** did not stipulate a deposit amount. Furthermore when I enquired about the refund I was told by the refunds department that the rental ijt was over R2k which was NOT the case and they deducted a toll gate fee when I never even used a toll gate on the road that I was travelling this is ridiculous I would never use this car hire again seriously! I want my full amount back which excludes the rental amount that I was told would be R1596 this is pathetic knowing people are vulnerable to needing a car when in an entirely new place is ridiculous to increase costs when you state one cost when making a booking
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2018
Tempest Car Hire Shady trumped up damages claims
27-29/08/2026: I rented a car from Tempest (Durban Airport) via Vitality Travel, cleared the car at returns and left Durban. 31/08/2026: got refunded my deposit and received notification that the contract is terminated. 01 & 02/09/2026: got a call and email from a Yuresen Naidoo, that they found damages on the car, which I disputed. No evidence was shared. 15/09/2026: received another call & email from a Thamsanqa Vika about the same thing which I again disputed. 18/09/2026: receive another email from a Thamsanqa Vika attempting to ****** an amount of R11,484.00 from the same contract, which I was again declined and informed them that I consider their calls and emails as harassment and ******ion that I will report to the Vitality. no evidence of this was shared with me. I remember a similar incident was attempted by tempest Cape Town (Airport) for car hire dates 05-06 October 2019 which fell off as I showed evidence of pics I too at collection. I will not recommend tempest car hire to anyone. they are ****** and ************s.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2018
Tempest Car Hire Shady trumped up damages claims
27-29/08/2026: I rented a car from Tempest (Durban Airport) via Vitality Travel, cleared the car at returns and left Durban. 31/08/2026: got refunded my deposit and received notification that the contract is terminated. 01 & 02/09/2026: got a call and email from a Yuresen Naidoo, that they found damages on the car, which I disputed. No evidence was shared. 15/09/2026: received another call & email from a Thamsanqa Vika about the same thing which I again disputed. 18/09/2026: receive another email from a Thamsanqa Vika attempting to ****** an amount of R11,484.00 from the same contract, which I was again declined and informed them that I consider their calls and emails as harassment and ******ion that I will report to the Vitality. no evidence of this was shared with me. I remember a similar incident was attempted by tempest Cape Town (Airport) for car hire dates 05-06 October 2019 which fell off as I showed evidence of pics I too at collection. I will not recommend tempest car hire to anyone. they are ****** and ************s.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2015
Tempest Car Hire
Do not hire from them they charge additional fees i drove the car 48km i worked out the fuel and put it in they then charged me to refuel again and also added a admin fee as well and a refueling fee which came up to 50% of the actual rental of the car even though it was not much money its still disgusting will not be using them again
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2015
Tempest Car Hire
Do not hire from them they charge additional fees i drove the car 48km i worked out the fuel and put it in they then charged me to refuel again and also added a admin fee as well and a refueling fee which came up to 50% of the actual rental of the car even though it was not much money its still disgusting will not be using them again
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2021
Outstanding service
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Service! I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Tempest Car Hire at Kimberley Airport. From the moment I arrived, everything was handled incredibly quickly and professionally. The staff were exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and eager to help with anything I needed. The collection and return process was fast, smooth, and completely stress-free. Booking through Carjet made the experience even better. The prices were unbelievably affordable compared to other options, and the value for money was outstanding. I honestly couldn't believe how much I saved while still receiving such excellent service and a great vehicle. The combination of Tempest's amazing customer service and Carjet's unbeatable prices made this one of the best car rental experiences I've ever had. If you're flying into Kimberley and need a rental car, I highly recommend them. Fast, friendly, professional, affordable, and simply exceptional from start to finish!
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2021
Outstanding service
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Service! I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Tempest Car Hire at Kimberley Airport. From the moment I arrived, everything was handled incredibly quickly and professionally. The staff were exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and eager to help with anything I needed. The collection and return process was fast, smooth, and completely stress-free. Booking through Carjet made the experience even better. The prices were unbelievably affordable compared to other options, and the value for money was outstanding. I honestly couldn't believe how much I saved while still receiving such excellent service and a great vehicle. The combination of Tempest's amazing customer service and Carjet's unbeatable prices made this one of the best car rental experiences I've ever had. If you're flying into Kimberley and need a rental car, I highly recommend them. Fast, friendly, professional, affordable, and simply exceptional from start to finish!
1 reviews | Active since May 2026
Tempest /Euro car hire failures.....
I have, through the Discovery Vitality travel online system booked 7 car hires in the past 8 months and have always selected the Top insurance PLUS the super waiver, which to be honest I had no clue what it was about. Initially 8 months ago Euro car sent me the tiny worded condtions and asked me to sign, which I did. I never understood much about it. I never had an an agreement sent again.NO EXPLANATIONS.....Fist few hires I saw they were charging for petrol, and when I challenged them as I had filled up everytime and given the checker the slip, and they took it off eventually...I queried how they could charge random amounts plus admin and they NEVER answered and passed credits......The Main gripe is I had an awful smash and am lucky to be alive, near Richards Bay and it was starting to get dark...3 good samaritans stoped, and helped and a few minutes later a Tow truck showed up....My wife and I were in such a shocked conditions we never knew much These 3 guys stayed with us and when this Tow truck driver started to push to get the car towed these 3 guys stopped ahim as they had called the police.When the police arrived the tow truck driver was pacing up and down, came up to the police and showed them an aauth number from Euro cars and eventually the police allowed them to tow the Car back to King Shaka airport. The 3 Good samaritans would NOT let the truck driver take us to Richards Bay as they were VERY worried about the Tower and took us to our Hotel. Next morning I got a call from Euro cars stating that they cannot find the car.I tried to explain and the Lady asked for the Towers details and I sent then a photo of his card.She told me UNDER no circumstances was I allowed to speak to the Tower. To cut a long story short, a month later I called in to inquire whats going on, and all hell broke loose....They imdeitaely read me the right Act, and told me I was responsible for the towing/Admin and had to pay for an assesor also. It took another week to get some garbled account for R30,000 for the excess, which in the policy wording was listed as being doubled in the case of Seriaaaaas damage, and they wrote the car off. I have been dealing with it, and have offered to pay R25,000 in full settlement and if that is not acceptable, I will chase every avenue.....How many people hiring cars know that even if you take the Top insurance, and super waiver your R5,500 is doubled in a Sreiaaaas accident, petrol charged illegaally, driver responsible for towing. My wife is a Cancer patient and we go to Richards Bay often for treatment we are in our 70's and fly from Joburg to King shaka and then hire for the trip to Richards Bay...Always through Discovery and Tempest comes up, but when you arrive at King Shakaa it tells you to go to Euro Car....Besides the first terms, I have never received anything else......Why take the highest insurance/Super waiver and have to still '*** en Betaal' for all these items........It is shocking....
1 reviews | Active since May 2026
Tempest /Euro car hire failures.....
I have, through the Discovery Vitality travel online system booked 7 car hires in the past 8 months and have always selected the Top insurance PLUS the super waiver, which to be honest I had no clue what it was about. Initially 8 months ago Euro car sent me the tiny worded condtions and asked me to sign, which I did. I never understood much about it. I never had an an agreement sent again.NO EXPLANATIONS.....Fist few hires I saw they were charging for petrol, and when I challenged them as I had filled up everytime and given the checker the slip, and they took it off eventually...I queried how they could charge random amounts plus admin and they NEVER answered and passed credits......The Main gripe is I had an awful smash and am lucky to be alive, near Richards Bay and it was starting to get dark...3 good samaritans stoped, and helped and a few minutes later a Tow truck showed up....My wife and I were in such a shocked conditions we never knew much These 3 guys stayed with us and when this Tow truck driver started to push to get the car towed these 3 guys stopped ahim as they had called the police.When the police arrived the tow truck driver was pacing up and down, came up to the police and showed them an aauth number from Euro cars and eventually the police allowed them to tow the Car back to King Shaka airport. The 3 Good samaritans would NOT let the truck driver take us to Richards Bay as they were VERY worried about the Tower and took us to our Hotel. Next morning I got a call from Euro cars stating that they cannot find the car.I tried to explain and the Lady asked for the Towers details and I sent then a photo of his card.She told me UNDER no circumstances was I allowed to speak to the Tower. To cut a long story short, a month later I called in to inquire whats going on, and all hell broke loose....They imdeitaely read me the right Act, and told me I was responsible for the towing/Admin and had to pay for an assesor also. It took another week to get some garbled account for R30,000 for the excess, which in the policy wording was listed as being doubled in the case of Seriaaaaas damage, and they wrote the car off. I have been dealing with it, and have offered to pay R25,000 in full settlement and if that is not acceptable, I will chase every avenue.....How many people hiring cars know that even if you take the Top insurance, and super waiver your R5,500 is doubled in a Sreiaaaas accident, petrol charged illegaally, driver responsible for towing. My wife is a Cancer patient and we go to Richards Bay often for treatment we are in our 70's and fly from Joburg to King shaka and then hire for the trip to Richards Bay...Always through Discovery and Tempest comes up, but when you arrive at King Shakaa it tells you to go to Euro Car....Besides the first terms, I have never received anything else......Why take the highest insurance/Super waiver and have to still '*** en Betaal' for all these items........It is shocking....
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
Return Customers' Deposits - It's not your money, Tempest
Tempest Car Hire - why do you not refund your customers their deposit, despite repeated requests, phonecalls, emails? This shouldn't be the customer's responsibility to follow up, it should be automatic. Avis don't seem to have a problem doing it. Will not be renting from you again.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
Return Customers' Deposits - It's not your money, Tempest
Tempest Car Hire - why do you not refund your customers their deposit, despite repeated requests, phonecalls, emails? This shouldn't be the customer's responsibility to follow up, it should be automatic. Avis don't seem to have a problem doing it. Will not be renting from you again.