The short answer from 36 destinations
Yes, Localrent is a legit booking intermediary, listing local rental companies across 36 destinations in this snapshot. It does not own any cars. It shows cars of named, independent companies and takes an advance to confirm a booking. The rental contract is then signed with that local company.
That split matters for every review you read. Many complaints concern a local company, not the booking service itself. For more background, see is Localrent legit and how it works.
How a Localrent booking works
You choose a specific car from a named local company. The car card shows the model, year, photos, deposit, payment methods, mileage, insurance and cancellation terms. Treat the card as the offer itself, not as an advert.
To confirm, you pay an advance online by bank card. Cash is not accepted for the advance. The rest is paid to the rental company at pick-up, by the methods shown for that car.
Your conditions are written in your voucher. Keep it on your phone and as a printout. If the desk says something different, the voucher is your reference.
- Localrent: the intermediary that lists the cars and takes the advance.
- Local company: owns the car, signs the contract and collects the rest.
- Voucher: the written record of your agreed conditions.
What the search snapshot shows across destinations
This guide is built on a snapshot of public Localrent search results. The methodology page explains how it was collected. The figures below are medians across the 36 destinations.
- Fleet size: the median destination has 384 cars, ranging from 43 to 3,283. The largest is Georgia.
- Car age: the median model year is 2022, and 71% of cars count as new.
- Gearbox: 98.5% of cars are automatic, from 43% to 100%.
- No deposit: 56% of cars, ranging from 0% to 100%. Praslin leads.
- No credit card: 100% of cars at the median destination.
- Free cancellation: only 36% of cars, from 16% to 95%.
- Unlimited mileage: 98% of cars, but as low as 0% in some places.
- Free delivery: 17% of cars at the median destination.
The offer varies a lot by place. Compare Georgia, Mauritius and Madeira to see the range. The full list is on the destinations page.
Common complaints in public reviews and how to avoid them
Public review threads tend to raise four recurring issues. They are described here in general terms, without quotes or ratings.
Deposit disputes. Travellers sometimes disagree with a company about a deposit hold or its return. Check the deposit amount and payment method on the car card before booking. Use the no deposit filter if you prefer not to leave one. The deposits guide explains each option, including cash deposits.
Damage checks at return. Arguments over scratches happen with any rental. Film the car slowly at pick-up, including wheels, glass, mirrors and the interior. Repeat this at return, ideally with a staff member present. Insurance terms differ by company, so read them on the car card.
Cancellation deadlines. Some travellers expect a refund after the free window has closed. Free cancellation is not universal across the snapshot. Note the deadline in your voucher and set a reminder. Use the free cancellation filter when plans are uncertain.
Swapped car models. A company may hand over a different model from the one booked. With small local fleets, this can follow a delay or a repair. Compare the car with the voucher before signing anything. If the swap is a lower class, raise it at the desk and get it noted in writing.
The car card checklist covers every point above in order.
Strengths
- You see the actual car and the named company before you pay.
- Credit cards are often not required, with 100% of cars at the median destination.
- Automatics dominate, at 98.5% of cars at the median destination.
- Unlimited mileage is common, which suits long drives such as the Georgian Military Road.
- Filters for no deposit and no credit card make the search quicker.
Limits
- Free cancellation covers only 36% of cars at the median destination.
- No-deposit cars are scarce in some places, falling to 0%.
- Some destinations have small fleets, with as few as 43 cars.
- Fleets are older in some places, with a median year as low as 2015.
- Service at the desk depends on each local company, not on Localrent.
Who it suits and who it does not
Localrent suits travellers who want a specific car and clear written terms. It also suits drivers without a credit card. Island trips work well, such as a pick-up at Funchal (FNC) on Madeira. Another example is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport (MRU) on Mauritius. Road trips from Tbilisi (TBS) in Georgia are another strong fit.
It suits less well if you want one uniform standard across every desk. It also suits less well if you need free cancellation on any car. Drivers outside a company's age or licence rules should check the car card first. Those rules are set by each company.
Verdict
Localrent is a genuine intermediary with transparent car cards and a written voucher. Most public complaints trace back to deposits, damage checks, deadlines or model swaps. Each one is largely avoidable if you read the car card, film the car and keep your voucher close. Browse the countries and guides pages to plan your next step.