National Car Rental - Southampton Airport

Reviews

• LE

  lynette eakin

  Sep 22, 2026
  5.0
  Staff at Southampton and Liverpool are fantastic and very helpful!!
• DD

  Dampwasabi

  Aug 22, 2026
  1.0
  We booked a rental car online through National and walked to the rental location to pick it up. We arrived around 12:00 PM and were told it would take about five minutes. Instead, we waited more than 15 minutes. When we received the car, we noticed several scuff marks and other visible damage. We asked multiple times whether these marks were okay and were told that National only considered damage an issue if it went through the paint. When we started the vehicle, the check tire warning light came on immediately. We again asked if the car was safe to drive and were assured that it was. Approximately 35 minutes after leaving the rental location, other drivers began flagging us down to tell us we appeared to have a flat tire. We immediately pulled over and contacted National and roadside assistance. We were told someone would arrive within an hour. After an hour passed with no one arriving, we called again and were told the estimated arrival time was now 2:10 PM. When no one arrived, we called again and were told we were a priority and someone would be there by 2:35 PM. Again, no one showed. We called again and were then told the arrival time had been pushed to 4:10 PM because the technician had been routed to another driver. When 4:10 PM passed with no contact or assistance, we called again and were given additional estimated times of 5:05 PM, 5:25 PM, and 6:05 PM. Someone finally arrived at approximately 5:57 PM. We were stranded on the side of the road for nearly five hours. We repeatedly explained that our phones were dying, yet no meaningful effort was made to get someone to us sooner or ensure that we were safe. Throughout this time, we also contacted the rental location because we were concerned about returning the vehicle by our scheduled 5:00 PM drop-off time. They repeatedly told us that we should still be able to make it back and to keep them updated. Once it became clear that we would not make it, they instructed us to contact the tire repair shop to see if they had the correct tire. We were then told the vehicle could not even be repaired until the following afternoon. At that point, we were left trying to work with the rental office to determine where their vehicle should go and what contingency plan they could provide. What is most disappointing is that not once did anyone ask if we were okay, apologize for what had happened, or offer any meaningful assistance. We drove the vehicle for only 35–40 minutes total before it became disabled. This vehicle was provided to us with a tire warning already illuminated. We specifically questioned whether it was safe to drive and were assured that it was. We then experienced an unacceptable failure in roadside assistance, communication, and customer service. Given these circumstances, I do not believe we should be charged anything for this rental. The vehicle was provided to us in a faulty condition, and we were left stranded for nearly five hours despite repeatedly contacting National for assistance. We have used National for both personal and business travel, but after this experience, we will not use National again unless this matter is properly addressed. We will continue escalating this complaint to higher levels of management until an appropriate resolution is reached. We expect National to take responsibility for the condition of the vehicle, the inadequate roadside assistance, the significant disruption to our day, and the complete lack of customer care. We are requesting that all charges associated with this rental be waived and that National provide an appropriate resolution. We lost out on 6 hours our tickets for hedgestone as well as had to catch an uber back. We submitted multiple items on their site for email and they stilll say car wasn’t returned and keep extending the return. Date even though we dropped it off at the shop they told us to. I will never us national a again and will take my business elsewhere
• PM

  Paul McLachlan

  Jul 31, 2026
  5.0
  Great experience renting from National at this location. Pickup & return was at the airport terminal not down the street like the map location seems to think. There wasn't a "National" sign on the entrance to the car rental return lot, but they are with all the other companies so once I worked up the courage to drive in it was fine (some rental return locations have spikes etc to stop you leaving so it is a bit of a leap of faith to drive into the car rental return without being 110% sure it's the correct spot). Car was great, clean & operated perfectly for our road trip. They're very careful inventorying dings & scratches when you leave (which always worries me a bit about just how much they're going to "find" when you return, although logically I suppose I should be happy they are careful when sending out a car, it still "feels" a bit concerning). In practice though they were super chill at return, just a quick walk around the car to make sure there wasn't anything dramatic, close to what you probably experience in the US. I hadn't damaged the car at all but you still read horror stories about this type of thing so I'm always a bit paranoid. In any case, great experience, would do it again if I was back in the area.
• JS

  James Smith

  Oct 24, 2025
  5.0
  Just simple and straightforward