Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Customer Service, Technology Top Car Rental Customer Report

Record360, which uses mobile and Web-based app technology, has released the results from its first Car Rental Customer Report. According to the report, customer service and technology integration are top factors for customers evaluating rental car companies.

by Staff
March 11, 2016
Customer Service, Technology Top Car Rental Customer Report

Photo via Record360.

2 min to read


Photo via Record360.

Record360, which uses mobile and Web-based app technology, has released the results from its first Car Rental Customer Report.

When looking for a car rental company, more than half of respondents (54%) answered strong customer service. Other factors that customers value include vehicles that are clean on the inside (51%), length of wait time when checking out (27%), not being nickled and dimed for dings and dents (27%), and vehicles that are free of dings, dents, and damage (22%). Price was the leading answer with 75%, but price is a factor that’s harder for companies to change, says the report.

Ad Loading...

In regards to customer service, respondents were asked how frequently they are frustrated by the time it takes to check out a vehicle. At least some of the time, 60% of respondents have been frustrated by wait time, while 40% rarely or never have been frustrated, according to the report.

When asked how customers feel about paper forms and pictograms to record damage, 89% responded that they don’t believe these are accurate ways to record vehicle damage. With a distrust of pictograms and paper forms, 44% of respondents worry that they will be blamed for vehicle damage they didn’t cause, says the report.

What would make a customer never want to do business with a rental company again? According to the report, terrible customer service was the top reason at 61%, followed by “they said I caused damage when I never did” at 51%. Other answers included the vehicles are dirty (40%), they charge too much to fill up the tank with gas (37%), it takes too long to check out a car (34%), vehicles are full of various damage (26%), and other (1%).

When asked how a company can improve the car rental experience, 51% of respondents answered a visual record of the vehicle’s current damage and 42% said time-stamping existing damage to prove it happened earlier. Other answers included a faster way to check for damage (29%), an app to better record the vehicle’s current damage (37%), a more accurate way to record gas levels (34%), an email record of the vehicle’s current damage (26%), and other (1%).

The survey was conducted by Survata research firm, which interviewed 207 online respondents.

Ad Loading...

Click here to download the full report.

More Rental Operations

thumbnail of title and photo of Joel Price and Chris Brown
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 20, 2026

How Did This Independent Rental Operator Grow to 170 Vehicles in 4 Years?

With 170 vehicles across three Kentucky locations, Joel Price relies on an overseas team to handle reservations, payments, and after-hours customer service. It's one part of an unconventional approach to growing an independent rental operation.

Read More →
thumbnail what does it take to succeed in b2b rentals
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

What Does It Take to Succeed in B2B Rentals?

The fundamentals may be familiar to daily car rental operators, but project-based truck rentals put different demands on the fleet and the business.

Read More →
Photo of Ana Laborde and world map
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

NPR Builds on International Partnerships to Grow Rental Bookings

With Ana Laborde supporting broker development, NPR Auto Group is tailoring distribution strategies, rate packages, and partnerships to grow international reservations across its three brands.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rental car agent shows woman her choice of rental car
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 7, 2026

Advantage, Sixt Place Among Top Five in Annual Satisfaction Study

While Enterprise and National retain the top spots in JD Power’s 2026 rankings, the latest customer satisfaction results suggest renters can find competitive service beyond the biggest car rental names.

Read More →
an exotic car wrapped in an insurance policy
Rental Operations•October 1, 2026

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals

Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.

Read More →
globe of world and drivers license from UK
Rental Operations•September 28, 2026

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?

For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
hand holding phone and Turo logo
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service

Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.

Read More →
plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...