Is Centauro legit?
A real Spanish budget operator with airport branches across Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Same budget-model caveats as its peers: waiver pressure, strict inspections, fuel-policy traps.
What to expect at the counter
- Named in Spain's OCU 2025 complaint on damage-assessment practices.
- Read the fuel policy line in your voucher before travel — "same level" vs "full to full" disputes are the most reported charge.
- Insist existing marks go on the condition report; photograph the car regardless.
The deposit
High when declining the desk waiver — commonly reported in the several-hundred-to-€1,000+ range depending on vehicle class.
The hold must be on a card with sufficient free limit — a declined deposit at the desk usually means being pushed into the expensive counter waiver. Check your card limit before you travel, not at the airport.
How to rent from Centauro without getting stung
- Buy standalone excess insurance before the trip — compare policies here — and bring proof of it.
- Video the car at pickup and return — our 3-minute evidence routine makes charges indefensible.
- Get every existing mark on the condition report before signing.
- If a charge appears later anyway: the Centauro dispute guide has the escalation path.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centauro legit or a scam?
A real Spanish budget operator with airport branches across Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Same budget-model caveats as its peers: waiver pressure, strict inspections, fuel-policy traps.
How big is the Centauro deposit?
High when declining the desk waiver — commonly reported in the several-hundred-to-€1,000+ range depending on vehicle class.
Do I need Centauro's damage waiver?
No — the desk waiver is optional. Standalone excess insurance covers the same liability (usually including tyres, glass and undercarriage that desk waivers exclude) for a fraction of the price. The desk cannot require you to buy theirs, though declining it means a larger deposit hold.
What if Centauro charges me after the rental?
Post-return charges must be backed by condition reports, dated photos and a real repair invoice. If they aren't, dispute the charge — see our Centauro dispute guide for the exact escalation path.
Booking with Centauro? Cover the excess before you fly
Standalone excess insurance refunds what the rental desk charges you — damage, tyres, windscreen, admin fees — for a fraction of the desk's own waiver price.
Get covered from ~£3/day →✓ Covers the full excess · ✓ Tyres, glass & undercarriage included · ✓ Annual policies for frequent renters
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It never costs you extra. Compare all excess insurers