Beware of Aggressive and Unfair Treatment by Octane Rental
I made a mistake by taking my rental car into the desert — it was a breach of contract and carried a 2,000 AED fine, which I was willing to pay. However, what happened next was completely unacceptable.
Late at night, while we were camping, two men from Octane Rental (both Russian) drove out to our location and demanded to take the car immediately, claiming there were 10,000 AED in “damages.” They even brought a card machine to collect payment on the spot. When I refused to sign any paperwork or make a payment without proper verification, they called the police.
The police arrived and were clearly surprised by the situation. They ordered the men to leave and advised me to return the car the next day for inspection. I followed their instructions, and after a fairer review, the total costs came to 2,750 AED for minor scratches and cleaning, plus the 2,000 AED fine.
My advice:
1. Octane’s cars are GPS-tracked, so any off-road driving will be detected.
2. Be cautious — the company uses very aggressive tactics to pressure customers into paying inflated damage fees.
Reply from Octane Rent - Luxury Car Rental Dubai
Gerard,
Thank you for your feedback. We understand your concern; however, driving our vehicles into the desert is strictly prohibited in the rental agreement. We always warn our clients about this. These cars are not equipped or insured for off-road use - desert sand and heat can seriously damage the engine, suspension, and air-intake systems within minutes.
Our team responded only to secure the vehicle and prevent further harm. After a proper inspection, the final charge reflected real, documented costs for cleaning and minor repairs, in addition to the contractual fine.
We regret any misunderstanding and remain committed to respectful and transparent service.