I've utilized Sixt several times before in the Manchester Car Park Village. This time was…read moreparticularly smooth and painless from start to finish. I had made a reservation online, and the process was seamless. The representative took the time to explain the rental agreement, including insurance options. Although I had booked a basic model, because I chose the comprehensive insurance package my vehicle was upgraded to a BMW. After completing the paperwork, I was escorted to the parking area where my rental car was waiting. The vehicle was clean and in excellent condition. The representative took a moment to show me the car's features and even offered helpful tips for navigating the local area. I appreciated the efficiency of the entire process. From the moment I walked in to when I was handed the keys, it took less than 15 minutes. This was a refreshing change from the long waits I've experienced at other rental car companies.

I had rented successfully from Sixt at Manchester Airport before, so for my two week recent trip to…read morethe UK decided to use them again. I booked a month in advance, carefully selected the category of vehicle I wanted and prepaid. During my booking and through the app, I entered all of my license, passport and credit card details and was promised I just needed to "turn up and take the keys." Arriving at the lot a little early, the first thing I found was this was a lie. The young man on the desk insisted on taking all my details again. This was not a great issue, but I was in a time crunch - I had an important event to get to in Liverpool that evening and the traffic was bad. However, at my Dublin layover, I'd seen on the app the exact car I would be given - exactly what I wanted - so I was prepared to be a little patient. Eventually he said "Let's find you a vehicle." I asked about the vehicle mentioned in the app but despite his efforts over the next 20 minutes, it was "missing". He offered me another vehicle - an upgrade but not the type I wanted (or needed). More typing and it was still missing: he told me it had been withdrawn because of a recall but I know that that vehicle has not been subject to a recall in the last six months. Ultimately, he could not offer me any other vehicle from the same category or even close. Eventually, as time went on, he offered me a vehicle of a similar type for *only* an extra cost of around UKP 360. This was ridiculous. I did not want or need a more expensive vehicle. I had given them a month to get things right but they could not manage a single vehicle in the category I had ordered or anything similar. Ordinarily, I would have kicked up a fuss but I was exhausted and had run out of time - and they knew it - so decided I had to just take the vehicle they offered. It was OK - certainly not worth the extra money - and I arrived to my event with just 20 minutes to spare, stressed and angry. So, don't believe anything they say. The process is not quick and easy. And even if you book in advance and prepay, do not assume they will have a vehicle you actually booked. Be prepared to accept a vehicle you don't want and/or pay more just to drive off the lot. Or go somewhere else. That is what I will do next time.