Australian 4WD Hire

Made to pay for a new tire and car missing promised equipment – Hired a car and equipment from this company and was very disappointed. One hour down the highway our car had a punctured tire and when we went to get it fixed we were advised that it looked like it was due to a poorly repaired previous puncture. The tread was also already worn down to a bee’s member. When we called to ask about getting a new… Read more

tire from the company, we were told we’d have to fork out for a new one and they didn’t care how it was replaced. If we didn’t replace it then we’d be charged for it at the end.

They also threatened that we weren’t able to go to Fraser Island with the car due to our “experience”. The whole reason we got the car was to go to Fraser Island and no mention of necessary experience had been mentioned up until that point. So we gave in and forked our for it.

When we got to Fraser Island and unrolled our supplied tent, they were missing all the poles. Since we were out of reception range we had to spend two nights in the car, before we gave up and got a motel.

They had no interest about checking the punctured tire on return and when we complained about the tent they went straight for the lawyers.

Unpleasant experience all round. Awful people to deal with.

10/10 would recommend walking next time.

Probably not again! – The booking process and the follow-up before we arrived at location in Perth was ok. However, we had booked a one-way, and although we knew that we would have to take some extra stuff on behalf of the company because of that, we were absolutely not prepared for what we met. The car was completely full, without any room for our luggage! When… Read more

pointing this out to the guy at the scene, he only shrugged and did not lift a finger to help. We had to drive to a separate store to buy load ties and extra equipment to secure luggage on the roof of the car and then back to the company to load our two bags. The car itself was seriously worn down, and this was also the case for the equipment we had rented (gas oven; cooler box etc). We had a few incidents during the trip, and they were handled acceptably by the company.

We had a second rental from the same company from Cairns a couple of weeks later, and that was a completely different story. The service was way above expectations, and it just reminded us how bad our first encounter had been.

I will probably look closely for another company the next time we plan a road trip in Australia.

Unethical Company, Avoid at All Costs – I rented a vehicle from this company in Broome. Upon return I was charged for speeding and damage to the front suspension. Checking the report the company sent me when they seized my security bond, I found the vast majority of the speeding violations were barely a few KM over the limit, often within what could be judged instrumentation error. In… Read more

Australia, only the police have the right to legally extract fines for speed violations.

The photo of the damage was of fatigue wear rather than impact damage and I have reason to believe it existed when I took possession of the vehicle.

The first night out, unpacking the tent, found it to be a jumble of bits and pieces, looking like leftovers from a war surplus store of the 1950s. Stopping for food shopping the first day after taking the vehicle in Broome, we opened the refrigerator and it spelled like rotten food inside, making it unusable for anything other than sealed water and drinks.

Interesting to note that all the very positive five star reviews sound as if they were written by a PR firm.

I cannot recommend renting from this company under any circumstances. If anyone has no choice to rent from this company or any other, I highly recommend photographing carefully using a selfie stick and phone camera, the entire under carriage and suspension assemblies, the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Then email the images with a date and time code to a third person, such as your personal attorney, as well as yourself. On return of the vehicle demand to have it inspected while you wait. I would suggest you have someone video you while you make this request in the event they refuse.

4WD 25000km – Roundtrip all Australia 25000km without any problem. The car was very cooperative, and each time i had to contact the company, i received immediate answer. Bond back very quickly. 2 times 10000 km servicing with 4WD garages, efficient. Show details ·  1

Super comfortable car, great company. Strongly recommend! – We have hired Toyota Land Cruiser from 4WD Australia Hire for 19 days trip ex Melbourne. The booking was made few months before trip started, deposit paid. List of location we planed to visit was provided few weeks before departure what give us plenty of time to design itinerary. There were no issue to get permission to visit each place. Contact… Read more ·  1

with them and car collection was very professional and prompt. Appointment for collection was scheduled for specific time, so there was no waiting or delays. Car was checked precisely and instruction how to use the car and equipment was given in a clear and an understandable way. The car itself was perfect. A big plus was a driving comfort on stony, rocky, sandy and consolidated surface. Easy to drive (especially for womens), we drove with the pleasure, we just loved it. Rooftop tent amazing and suitable almost for each type of environment. Takes about 5 minutes to set i tup, plenty of room inside, comfortable, can fit easily 3 girls. Basic equipment provided (large fridge, chairs, table, stove, light). USB, extra car charger slot and power socket was very useful, especially if you have cameras and other electronics to be charge. We have drop the car in Sydney. On the return, again professional check out (make sure you give a car good wash), took us about 10 minutes with no doubts. There is nothing to complaint about. The only thing company could consider is providing cutlery and cooking gadgets but this is only suggestion. It is worth mentioning about competitive pricing. I will definitely book through them again. Strongly recommend.

The worst ever – Some of the reviews here are true and some are fake. Make your own judgment. We were purely ripped off. They make you pay a very high bond and then retain it under bogus pretence while you are back home on the other side of the world. Do not get near them if you care for your money!!!!

Very Good car but with a few risks – It was very easy to make the booking. The customer service from Broome car hire center was very bad, we didnt got any copies from all the documents I had to sign. There was a risk because it was not possible to insure tyres windscreens or axles. We were very Happy about the quality of the car. But we had still a very good time in the Kimberleys, thank you 4WD Hire!

Unprofessional and extra charges – The guy who checked out the car for us didn't explain basic things like where the jack was stored which would have come in handy when we got a puncture. They also charged hundreds of dollars when we returned the car because it "wasn't clean". This despite it being full of red dust to begin with. It's a totally ridiculous policy for an outback… Read more

vehicle hire company but they trust that people (like us) don't read the small print, basically guaranteeing themselves a fee from every customer.

Don't use them, you get what you pay for.

Do not use this company – Australian 4WD, now trading as "Explore 4WD Hire" stole all of our money without providing the vehicle. We had paid in full for $3,200 as we were leaving in two weeks time. COVID-19 then closed all borders and we were unable to proceed with the trip. Instead of negotiating a change of date or credit, this company refused to answer any… Read more

communication via email or phone and we were forced to lodge a Fair Trading complaint which was unsuccessful as they also could not contact the company. We lost the full amount of money. Do not go near this company.

Do not trust this company – We rented a 4wd in Perth in 2018 for 3 weeks. Had no problems. Returned the car freshly cleaned, they inspected the car and ticked off the form. A week or two later we received an email saying that there was damage to the car door and they actually accused us of breaking into the car at some point on our holiday - "It appears as though there was… Read more

an attempt to unlock the vehicle using a foreign object, such as a metal wire or hanger." (direct quote from email). Conveniently for them, their mechanic's quote was roughly the same amount as our $2500 bond, in which we have never gotten back. I asked to see the mechanics quote (they never sent it through). We asked our lawyer to step in and they threatened us with "We welcome any further action your client wishes to take, and upon receipt of this we will immediately file a counter claim against your client for all costs, including, but not limited to all associated legal costs."

We then reported this case to the Dept of Fair Trading, MP Tim Nichols and the ABC. Do not hire anything from them. Here are some helpful links. We wish we did some research before hiring the vehicle. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-09/australian-4wd-hire-company-liquidation-customers-owed-thousands/11934270 https://www.timnicholls.com.au/aus_4wd_hire

Don't even think about – Don't even think about renting a vehicle from this company or its successor. After two bankruptcies, the third company (registration number ACN 638 025 911 Pty Ltd.) is now running the business under the slightly changed name "explore4wdhire". Between the time when the press reported the bankruptcy of the former company and the information of the… Read more

new company that the lease agreement would be maintained, a month passed. During this time neither the website nor office was available. As a customer, you had to assume that the company would no longer exit. Reason why you had to rent a car elsewhere. The company finally cancelled the rental contract, but without refunding the deposit. The promise to credit the deposit with the next booking under these circumstances seems outrageous.

Scam - refusing to return $2500 bond – Do not use this company or the new owners "Explore 4WD Hire" - explore4wdhire.com.au - they took our $2500 bond and keep giving us the run around saying that it is with their accounts and it will be refunded but it never is. Now they are not responding to our emails or our calls. Extremely unprofessional stealing money from people! Especially at a time like this! Show details

SCAM and SHONKY - I hope others read this email before renting. Bond not returned – The car had pretty much bald tyres, drove 175 Klm in then Fridge was US and the drive back to Darwin paid $100 for a nights accommodation so we could have a fridge, to keep our $150 of cold stuff from going off. The battery was faulty and replaced. drove 300Klm to Kakadu, only to find they had not put the tent poles in so sleeping in this was… Read more

like an oven. decided to stay in a hotel for the second night as was too hot after first night. Took the car back another 300KLM and told them the vehicle was unusable and returned early. I was happy to pay the 3 days and get another car form a reputable company. Car was checked and all OK. The manager [name removed] pretty much said, too bad you signed the paperwork to say you had everything and no credit for unused days.. Rude and no idea about customer satisfaction. Now they not answering calls and no sign of My BOND - email bouncing back. $6120 down the darwin for 3 days in a poorly maintained car.

Security bond problem > solved – Update: We tried to reach the company via the old website and phone number which seem not to exist anymore. Thanks to this website here I got I. Contact with another actual customer and got the new website. Today I got my bond back in our account. Will have an eye on my credit card if there are any further charges and update my experience here. … Read more

We paid a security bond of 1.500 $. 4WDHire has not paid the money back yet. Expect the money as soon as possible, otherwise we will take all possible legal actions.

Disappeared with our money – They sold business as we were on our vacation. As we returned the car we've been assured, everything was well. After a few days I wrote them a friendly reminder but they just sent me over to the liquidator, telling me they are "a whole new company". Phoenixing failed, as they completely disappeared. Their website has been taken off and all their email addresses aren't reachable anymore. Show details

Don’t rent of this company !!! – Company had been sold while we were on our trip. When we returned the vehicle we didn’t receive the $5000 bond back as we were told it is with the old owner who have called bankruptcy??? Not to mention that the vehicle Was faulty and died on us in the middle of Australia !! Water leaking from the windscreen, bold tyres, 4WD not engaging, engine… Read more

light on, doors not closing properly, EBC not working etc. Horrible customer service Don’t come near this company it’s a rip off !!!

Not good – Had hired a RTT 4Wd for a once in a lifetime trip to Australia with my son. Dec 27th to Jan.8th. On top of obvious issues with the truck with almost 300,000km on it, tent poles missing, leaky water jugs or moldy mattress which I could overlook as a seasoned camper.. I'm now facing at the terrible fact that they took my bond money knowing full… Read more

well they would never return it. I had to provide this bond on Dec 16th 2018 and they filled for bankruptcy on Dec 19th. I hope that all people stuck in the same situation get together and do a class action against this company. This is criminal and unbelievably sad ending of our trip...

Do not use this Company – We hired a vehicle and were accused of damaging the it. Money was retained from our bond and never returned. We took our case to Court and were awarded over $5000 in August 2019. For the past 5 months we have been in discussion with the Company who gave assurances that they would pay. The final date for payment was to be 23rd Dec. This was the… Read more

date they went into Liquidation. As with all the other reviews, we were lied to. These people have no ethics or morals. They continue to trade with supposedly "new owners" It is unbelievable that so many people have had their bonds stolen , even more so when you consider Australian 4WD Hire were being investigated by the ACCC during 2019.

Do Not Hire Any Vehicle From This Company – I hired a 4wd from my holidays around Brisbane last two weeks of December 2019. Everything seemed to be ok. Gave the car back on time And in perfect conditions. today 16th of January I am still waiting for my security bond. And it’s been so difficult to contact them to arrange my payment back. So disappointed and annoyed Show details

$5k security has gone missing, this company is a scam – I rented a 4wd with rooftop tent for 10 days over the christmas period. The vehicle was in good condition dispite the fact it had 3 A/T tyres and one road tyre, the tent was a bit worse for wear and the engel fridge didnt work. I fixed the engel out of my own pocket on the trip, assured that I would get reimbursed for the expense by Australian… Read more

4wd.

I returned the vehicle 10 days ago without any issues on return. I have followed up regarding my expense reimbursement and security bond, I have not received my $5k security deposit or expense reimbursement. I have been informed that Australian 4WD is under new management and the new owners do no have access to the deposits. The previous owners have liquidated the company. Dispite the fact that my rental contract occured post company sale and is with the current owners.

This company is a scam and an untrustworthy. Neither the old company or new owners are willing to deal with this issue. Avoid at all costs.

If you have been affected like me and lost your bond please contact me as we are looking at ways of persuing the former business owners.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-09/australian-4wd-hire-company-liquidation-customers-owed-thousands/11934270

Gone into liquidation and will not refund $5k bond – Returned car, company said they woudl refund bond in 7 days. Since received a letter saying company has been sold and cannot refund bond. But seems to be trading business as usual. Scam company, don't use them.

Do not on your life use this company!! – They took our bond money and are now in liquidation. absolute thieves! Equipment was crap. car needed mechanical work. Do not use them. you will lose your money. now dealing with liquidator as company won’t return phone calls. Show details

Con Artists – Hired one of their cars over the 2019 Xmas break and returned the car with the inspector having no issues with the car. The company is now "sold to another company and is under liquidation", and says we won't get our $5,000 security bond back. The bond costs more than the car rental! Now when you contact them they tell you that they don't have… Read more

the money and they're now a new separate entity, yet still trading "business as per usual". They will ask for the same security bond, and chances are you won't get it back either. Don't fall for this scam!

Would Not Recommend – Australian 4WD Hire changed ownership shortly before we hired our 4WD over Christmas. We were instructed via email by the company under new ownership to deposit the bond monies into the bank accounts of the old owners - this is despite the fact that they were to file for liquidation 3 days after this instruction. We have been in discussions with… Read more

both the new and old owners of the company attempting to have our bond refunded for weeks now. We have recently just been informed that the old owners have gone into liquidation with $0 in their accounts (despite holding the bonds for numerous customers at the time of liquidation).

Also, allegedly, the terms of sale of the company that the new owners may not have taken on the obligation to return the bond monies to customers who paid their bond money before the change of ownership ($$1000's!!). Neither the old or new owners have shown any interest in responding to our claims for a refund.

Both the old and new owners of Australian 4WD hire have acted in ways that have been far from desirable and what would be expected from a reputable business. We have been given misinformation that has cost us the entirety of our bond.

The car we hired was great, performed well and we had a great holiday - but much of this I put down to our hire being passed off to another rental car company. Despite this we will never deal with this company in the future and I would not recommend anyone hire a car through Australian 4WD Hire.

We have reported this company and their business practices to the Office of Fair Trading and we suggest that anyone in a similar position do the same: www.qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading

Avoid At Any Cost !!! – Here is what I received when asking my bond refund: This is a courtesy email for all recent Smart Corporation Pty Ltd (trading as Australian 4WD Hire) customers that are waiting on their security bond to be refunded. As of December 19th 2019 Australian 4WD Hire has been sold by Smart Corporation Pty Ltd and we are now operating under completely… Read more

new Owners and Management.

We have just been made aware that the new Owners and management do not hold or have access to any bonds that were paid prior to this date as they have been paid into Smart Corporations account, and some lingering payments paid after 19th of December 2019.

We have also just learned that Smart Corporation is going into liquidation, and any monies that have been paid to them for security bonds or rentals is in the hands of the liquidator

Any funds paid into the account 424091751 or 486687420 are no longer under the control of Australian 4WD Hire. Which is a trading name and not the company.

We legally have no access to these accounts and only the Liquidator has the authority to release these funds to customers.

We have been directed to provide the Liquidators details to all creditors so they can get in contact about recovering the funds they have paid.

As the bonds are meant to be paid back by the Owner, you are classified as a creditor and should be refunded as such.

The Liquidators details are:

SV Partners

Contact - XXXXXXXXXX

We do understand that this is a major inconvenience to each of you and we hope that this matter is resolved for you soon.

During this time we do expect call volumes to be quite high, so if you have any questions we recommend sending an email and we will respond within 24 hours.

Unfortunately we have no other information than what has been provided, as we have only been informed ourselves as of 7th of January 2020, the Liquidator will be able to provide you with more information and assistance.

Kind Regards,

NEW MANAGEMENT of Australian 4WD Hire

Appalling service – Still waiting on a security bond return after 2 weeks!! Car returned and inspected & signed for. Notified finally that all existing paid funds are now with the liquidators!! BEWARE this business has just gone bust!!! Show details

Australian 4WD Hire! Why Not? I Did and Very Very Happy! – I hired a short wheel base Jeep from Australian 4WD on Barter Card for 13 days. I picked it up from their Opposite Lock branch at Rothwell. Tony who was the staff member was most helpful both on pick up and drop off. The car itself was clean and except for a bulb needed for a front left indicator could not be faulted. A very good stereo as well… Read more ·  1

was really appreciated and if need Bluetooth just go to the website Uconnect for connection instructions. Would I hire again. Yes for sure. Maybe a long wheel base next time as i am getting older ha ha. A bit more comfortable but purely a thought not an absolute need. Thanks Australian 4wd. Pete Johnson @ Bali Villa 4u.

Best Customer Service in Australia! – I recently completed a solo 4 month tour of Australia, driving a rented 4WD and pulling a camper trailer. In the process I interacted with a variety of businesses, from mechanics to camper sales and repair people to insurance companies and camping stores galore. Of them all, Australian 4 WD HIre was the most ethical and fair and offered the best… Read more ·  1

customer service. The contract businesses where I pick-uped and drop-offed the vehicle were efficient and happy to help with whatever I needed. I interacted primarily with the main office and the staff was consistently friendly and professional. They made the rental process easy from beginning to end. The Toyota Hilux I used was nearly new and in great condition. Any issues or concerns I had were addressed immediately and a regular tuneup was done when needed. I liked the Hilux so much that when I went to Tasmania for a month they held it for me, losing the rental income they could have gotten during that time. Unfortunately, I had a small accident during my last month of renting the Hilux, causing some minor cosmetic damage. The company would have been within their rights to completely replace or repaint the damaged door panel. Instead they found someone who could repair and repaint just the ding, saving me hundreds of dollars in repair costs. They had the repair completed within 2 weeks and returned the rest of my bond as soon as repairs were done. Based on my month of renting from them I highly recommend Australian 4 WD HIre!