SIXT Rent a Car San Francisco Int Airport — Local services in San Bruno

I chose this company based on the type of autos that were available. I was looking for something unique, yet fuel efficient as I knew we would be traveling a lot over our 4 days of exploring northern California. Their app is very user friendly, and I was able to select my vehicle and check-in 2 hours before our scheduled pickup time by uploading my drivers license. Important - on this receipt was a QR code that I didn't see upon checkout that I believe allows you to see existing damage to the car prior to your rental. I didn't see this until later, and wish the attendant would have pointed this out to me. Not doing this, did lead to headaches upon check-out, that probably could have been avoided. Read the reviews and take extra steps of documenting the vehicle condition before leaving the garage. I did take pictures of all of the damage that I found on my own, which ultimately helped arbitrate some false claims that came when returning the car. We had a very early flight, so we checked in around 3:30am and there was no employees around to walk around the car during the inspection, so I was at his/her mercy about what was on this post rental report. There was severe damage reported on the inside edge of the passenger front door that I was certain did not happen during our time (I didn't even see this damage during our 4 days, but the location of this damage would make it very hard to see unless you are looking for it.) I didn't just "roll over" and accept this claim, I fought back with documentation of the condition of the car that I had and included my photos of the damage that I noticed before renting, I received an email that they would look into previous condition reports to confirm that this damage wasn't already on the car and be back in touch, which later was followed with an email that I would not be charged for this damage. (Maybe they should look at this report before reaching out to me and creating unnecessary stress? Or, is this a strategy to prey on unsuspecting customers?) The next added stress came with an extremely high fueling fee because the car wasn't "full" of gas. I fueled up as close to the airport as possible and ended up paying $6.99/gal which was $1.70/gal more than I could have paid further away from the airport, but I was intentionally trying to avoid the fuel fee that is disclosed if you don't bring the car back full. I drove less than 6 miles after fueling, and the report showed it was 7/8 of a tank of gas, and the fee for this was $93.52. I paid over $90 for 13 gallons of gas to fill the car up close to the airport, so I wasn't about to "roll over" on this charge either. Again, I reached out to customer service. I provided my refueling story, and documentation I had supporting a full tank of gas upon return. I later received an email that these charges would also be reversed.

I can only assume that Sixt pays commissions to their employees in charge of post rental inspection claims to ensure that the employees don't get complacent and their cars retain as much resale value as possible. If my assumption is accurate, then their employees are essentially writing their own "paychecks" at the expense of innocent customers that are not prepared to defend themselves.

If you rent a car, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! I would suggest pulling the car out of it's parking spot and slowly walking around with your video camera and open each door and the trunk to document everything that a still image may miss. Keep your fuel receipts, and take a picture of the "miles until empty" when you drop off the car. Every car model has expected fuel range data listed on multiple websites that a quick Google search can find to support your claim.

Overall, I enjoyed the car, the little interaction I had with very sharp dressed staff and my 4 days cruising in California in a Sixt BMW 440i! I would have given this 5 Stars if I didn't have to defend myself against false claims from a staff member handling my return trip inspection that happened when I...

The short version:

they might accuse you of damage that you did not do and ask you to file an insurance claim in a very sneaky way, AFTER you drop the car!

The longer version:

I picked up a convertible Mustang on 11/27/25, after I landed after 6:00PM (it got dark). Getting the car was super easy and basically the guys in the parking lot gave me the keys, pointed me where the car is and that was it. I went into the parking ramp, found the car, quickly looked around for big dents or obvious non wear and tear damage, and I could not see anything big (remember that it was dark outside, and even if the parking ramp was illuminated, seeing every blemish on the car is difficult). I did not receive any piece of paper anyhow to report any damage, or any co-inspection from Sixt when I received the car. Then I drove straight to Davis, CA (no stop) and parked the car in a private empty driveway.

Next morning I took a picture of the car, with my son next to it. I had the car for a few days and drove about 300 miles, parked in very few places, far from other cars on purpose, and when closer, use my both hands to control the door (I know 100% that I did not touch anything when I opened that door).

When I returned the car, it was midday, same parking ramp, but in an area very well illuminated by natural light. A lady asked me the keys, looked around the car quickly while I was unloading my stuff, asked me for the initials on her device and told me "You're good to go, sir!". An email was sent 1-2 minutes later with a receipt that I returned the car (and I did not pay any attention to that, since it's pretty standard).

But 2 days later, I receive another email "Response needed: Sixt Vehicle return (Reference .....)" that informed me that "Door, front edge Driver side scratch 5-10 cm (down to primer)" and provided a a link to a form "To better understand the situation and ensure transparency, we kindly ask for your perspective on this observation".

I completed the form, explained what (didn't) happened, and also provided the accidental picture that I took the next day, saying that I can see that scratch in my picture as well, but that door did not touch anything between the airport and the private empty driveway in Davis, CA, so the scratch was very very likely there BEFORE I got the car. Inside the form that I had to complete online there were pictures with the damage and it said that they will send a copy of that form along with the pictures. They sent an email with a copy of what I wrote, but NOT the pictures.

Then I also realized that the "RETURN RECEIPT" email that I received right after I returned the car, had a PDF attached with the damage result and my initials on it. I was NOT INFORMED at the return time that there was damage and I am putting my initials on a document about the damage(remember? I just got "You're good to go, sir!").

They sent me another email asking for payment($670), saying that "According to our papers the damage has occurred during your rental." I asked for any proof that they have that the damage was NOT there at the time of pick-up, or details about their "papers". Or what's the appeal process for this!?

They responded 3 months later, saying that "we cannot waive our claim" and "You may attempt to file a claim with your personal auto and/or supplemental insurance carrier."

Just WOW... These guys are trying to intimidate people to pay for the damage that they did not do or file an FRAUDULENT insurance claim!

Search through the reviews! Look on BBB (they are not accredited)! SEE FOR YOURSELF! Lots of situations just like mine! https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/car-rental/sixt-rent-a-car-llc-1116-926454 (go to...

I have no idea where all these positive reviews are coming from. One sentence summary of my experience, followed by a detailed log of the experience.

Don’t bother renting here, you’ll likely want to contact the better business bureau afterward.

Picked up car, it was a small basic sedan, not as described when I reserved it online.

Not 40 minutes later the sidewall of the tire blows out leaving me stranded on the side of the road.

I call SIXT for support, and instead of offering to help me, they suggested I change the tire myself to avoid having to pay for the tow truck out of my own pocket.

I put the donut spare on, and drive to the nearest SIXT location, an hour out of my way.

I explain the situation, and I’m told that the exchange would have to be done back at SFO where I picked up the car, but that he would check with his manager about making an exception.

I wait about 10 minutes and he says that they can indeed exchange the car. But that I should make sure to put the 1/8 of a tank of gas back in the car to ensure I wouldn’t be charged for it.

I’m presented with the new car, also a Jetta, but an even more basic spec with no heated seats.

I take my video of the old car with the blown up tire and prepare to film the replacement to protect myself from charges of damage that I didn’t cause. (Definitely do this if you dare to rent after reading this far).

Can’t film the new car because it’s blocked in to a parking space with 4 inches between it and a concrete wall, and the keys for the car that’s blocking are nowhere to be found.

The manager at this location is genuinely apologetic at this point and says she will look at my contract to see if she can provide some discount for the poor experience and delay. Also said she would follow up with me via email that same day. (Have yet to hear anything)

The rest of the experience is uneventful other than the return of the replacement car at SFO where they employ one of the AI car scanners to charge you for damage done to the car. The other location didn’t have this and likely has only ever been inspected by humans, therefore I’m expecting a large bill for the AI tool being used on a damaged car for the first time.

Also, they don’t maintain...