Dorset Vehicle Rentals Reviews

I had a small car for three days. It was perfect for what I needed and reasonably priced. Only one fault with the car: rear wiper washer wasn't working, and it wasn't out of fluid. Be aware... they take the rental charge AND the deposit on your credit card. The deposit is only returned to your account over a week after the vehicle is returned. I called Enterprise and they don't do that. Three stars reflects this point. I wasn't told of this procedure, even though Jon's father assured me he did. The same goes for any documentation: I had to ask twice for this (and then only received a basic invoice/email that gave my name and total cost - no vehicle or dates) and never had the walk-round photos I was promised. This won't stop me from renting from them in the future. I was assured that the fuel tank was full. I checked because I was quite prepared to go straight to a station and fill it. My trip was exactly 170 miles both ways - same route, same speed, etc. It took 18.6 litres when I filled up at my destination, and only 13 litres for the return trip. It wasn't full. I was told it must have been downhill on the way back!

PLUS POINTS: 1) They provided a great car, in excellent condition. 2) Hire rates and no milage limits. 3) Customer service was good, at both Dorchester and Weymouth. 4) Deposit was returned within 5 days, at both Dorchester and Weymouth. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM: I like this rental company, however, the absence of an immediate vehicle condition check, upon return, is a bit of a concern. It's not so much of a concern at Weymouth, because the compound has enough room, to leave the car in a safe location. A five minute check of the vehicle condition and written confirmation would easily solve this. My 2nd rental, was returned in Weymouth on the 14/7/ 2025. The vehicle was checked within an hour or two and a confirmation email sent within 2 hours of the car being returned. That being the case, I think it's fair to upgrade my review to 5 stars. I will definitely use DVR again, but my preference is the Weymouth branch.

Ripped me off! On returning the vehicle I explained to them that I had just put £20 of fuel in and that the fuel gauge had not moved and thus might be faulty. When my deposit was refunded it was £76 less than I expected so I asked why and was told it wasn’t returned with the fuel gauge in the same place it was when I collected the vehicle so they had charged me not only the price of what they deemed was the right amount of fuel to fill it 3/4 full but also added £30 for the privilege of them refilling it. I pointed out about the fuel gauge which had they of checked at the time I would have happily given any extra money I owed but to no avail. Being a pensioner this was money I could not afford to lose. Do yourselves a favour and go to Enterprise car and van hire. They are £10 cheaper per vehicle as well!

Booked online days in advance for a van from the Dorchester branch. From arriving at reception and paying had to wait half an hour for vehicle to be brought out. Upon return waited another 20 minutes just for someone to come to the desk to take the keys. Was told my deposit would be back in 3-5 days. After 5 days, I called and was told it was released on Saturday (it was Thursday afternoon by this point). It's now Monday and still no deposit back 10 days later. Thought this was just me but I read the reviews here and saw others have had the same issue. £200 deposit is a lot to go without when you rely on getting it back within the specified time frame. Clearly not looking for returning customers. Will use Enterprise next time and I recommend you do too if you dont want your time wasted and your deposit actually returned on time

Provided a car with a puncture. Discovered shortly after leaving and rang the Gillingham office which you can only do via their central voice system. I told him I was returning the vehicle and wanted a refund. He agreed to stay open of 15 mins to enable me to return it. Got there 9 minutes after 1100hrs, and he had closed and left. My second unsatisfactory with DVR, find an alternative is my advice. My personal view is that they are crooks.

Absolutely fantastic service, long term vehicle leased from the beginning Jackie and Lottie were very helpful in arranging the finances and the correct vehicle for my needs then whilst I had the vehicle Patrick and Alex sorted out maintenance straight away whenever I needed it even the guys in the workshops were brilliant. I never had to wait more than half an hour for the van to be attended to, couldn’t rate these guys highly enough. They are all absolutely fantastic.

Deducted 60 quid. No explanaion.

The website is easy to use and the price is very good. They are local so collection and return is really easy, The staff are always friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

I rarely leave reviews but I was so disappointed and inconvenienced by these guys that I feel I have to. After my car broke down had to go into the garage for urgent work I was in desperate need of a hire car to enable me to work whilst I sourced a new one. I'd used enterprise for a week who were great and after 2 days off needed to hire again as I'd not yet found a new car. Unfortunately Dorchester enterprise did not have one available today do I called the yeovil branch who were doing there best to find me one. In the meantime my girlfriend had called Dorset vehicle rentals and the lady on the phi e assured me they could rent me a car this afternoon after taking my details. Fabulous I thought so co tacked yeovil enterprise and apologised as I had found an alternative. The lady go me the price and took my name address and various other details. Advised me what documents to bring and all was sorted. Or so I thought 😟. On arriving in dorchester I was Informed by the girl on the counter they wouldn't/couldn't rent to me as I had points on my licence from 4 years ago. I was a little perturbed as I'd not been made aware that this would prevent me hiring and it certainly never has before. So trying to make the best of the situation I asked in that case can my girlfriend hire it instead. They asked hiw long she had had a licence to which I told then about 7 or 8 years. Yes they said and then moments later told us no as she had a disqualification 8 years ago. Now I have no problem with policies and procedures etc. But perhaps this companies extremely rigid rules regarding points and spent driving convictions meaning they won't rent to you could be informed prior to being g assured they would prior to travelling over an hour and wasting our time. Especially when we cancelled another booking with what now I realise is a more professional and quite frankly decent company. Because now I can't work and Dorset rentals have cost me hundreds of pounds in lost income. I advise anyone to go elsewhere if they can.

So we hired a Van, picked the van up easy enough, dropped the Van off full of fuel on time with no damage, photos to prove this. And we’re now 2 weeks after returning the Van and still no deposit back. Contacted them said leave it 10days. Still nothing. Shocking services really. Seen a another review with a Car same problem so would think before use them as you may after wait long time and fight for deposit back

Not much to say really. Hired a large van for the day and arrived to collect it when the office opened. Two people already in front of me in the queue but within 23 minutes I was driving out of the yard in the van, the guy who handed the keys over even apologised for the delay!! How quick is it normally then? Van was in good condition and I took the option to return it out of hours instead of making a special journey the next day. Overall a very positive experience and would definitely look to hire from DVR again.

Yeovil Branch. Staff were very friendly and very helpful. Very good price. Deposit was returned within a few days. Have just booked with them again and will definitely recommend them.

So we hired a medium car weeks in advance easily enough, picked the car up easy enough, dropped the car off full of fuel on time with no damage, photos to prove this. And we’re now 2 weeks after returning the car and still no deposit back. I spoke to them 3 days ago and was told they messed up and never released the deposit and was told I would receive the deposit within 48 hrs, well that time has now passed and still no deposit. I would like to say it’s a rare problem but it happened the last time I used them too. I would not use again unless your in no rush to recover your £200 deposit. I’ve tried all morning to ring the same branch but no answer in 2 hours. So after I wrote this a kind lady from Dorset vehicle rental contacted me and personally resolved the issue and also gave me a cash resolution, so overall it got sorted very quickly after response from head office so thank you.

great service as usual, only thing was, I booked a medium car and expected a manual and it was automatic. Luckily I drive autos at work, so not a real issue. And to be fair, the car drove beautifully and was very economical on fuel. The car was very comfortable and clean,

Very nice van! It was clean and drove well. I wanted a van to move my son into his new flat- just the right size- fitted a double bed and several big pieces of furniture in. Also, I liked the fact that the van policy was to fill up at the end of the trip, so no messing around with fuel when I picked it up.

hired 9 seater van driving to Austria thro tunnel, with winter tyres. Everything as ordered, all paperwork for European travel, insurance and breakdown cover with unlimited mileage. No problems, deposit returned in 4 working days. Done this several times thro DVR and can't fault the service and communication. Makes the holiday a whole lot easier.

Jon always does a great job. He really helped me out as I'd booked the wrong day. Vans are always clean and ready for me.

Very efficient, quick proces. All options explained clearly. Friendly atmosphere.

The whole process was first class, no fuss, no waiting and all very well explained. Will 100% recommend.

The vehicle was absolutely filthy, mould growing from sandwiches left in the cab. I wouldn't leave my dog in the vehicle!