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Counterwise

No. 13 of 17 at MLA

Sicily by Car

at Malta International Airport

Walk 3 min
Counterwise Score 4.0 out of 10, rated Poor.High consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport is ranked No. 13 of 17 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.0/10 (Poor).
  • The Sicily by Car desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 3 minutes on foot from the terminal at Malta Airport.
  • The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
  • Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: Daily 08:00–02:00.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews (about 1 in 4 of those with text) report charges for small or hard-to-see damage or for cleaning, from about €135 up to €2,600. Reviewers say the damage was already on the car or was not visible, and several say it was found only on a close return inspection. Forum and Trustpilot posts describe similar cases..

Based on 245 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on 246 recent Google reviews kept after removing 54 staff-praise and duplicate entries (about 209 with written text), this desk is polarised. Many travellers report quick, friendly counter service and occasional free upgrades, but roughly 1 in 4 written reviews describes disputed damage or cleaning charges, and many report worn cars with warning lights or breakdowns. Forum, Trustpilot and broker sources point the same way, although much of the web evidence is undated or more than a year old.

AI-assisted summary of 245 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 14 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor2.0/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 58 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor4.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 16 reports · medium confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 30 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 28 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Poor3.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 55 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 3.8 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 4.3 · counts 30%
  • 55 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, duplicates). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 10% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (138 after weighting by age).

High consensusOur independent signals (AI review analysis, web reports and star ratings) point the same way.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Many recent reviews (about 1 in 4 of those with text) report charges for small or hard-to-see damage or for cleaning, from about €135 up to €2,600. Reviewers say the damage was already on the car or was not visible, and several say it was found only on a close return inspection. Forum and Trustpilot posts describe similar cases.uk.trustpilot.comreddit.comreddit.com
  • Around 40 reviews from the last year describe cars with engine or warning lights, breakdowns, worn tyres, missing wheel bolts, dents or poor cleanliness, sometimes with several replacement cars in a row.uk.trustpilot.com
  • Large card holds are reported (about €1,800 to €2,300 without the desk's cover), with some refunds taking 2 to 4 weeks, extra holds while damage is assessed, and a few refunds that needed bank or in-person follow-up. The desk's FAQ itself says release takes up to 10 working days.sicilybycar.mt
  • About ten reviews report pressure or a forced purchase of the desk's own insurance, often when a card was declined, debit cards were not accepted, or cover bought through a broker was dismissed.
  • Several reviews report that breakdown assistance was unreachable or refused, or that customers were billed for towing (roughly €195 to €340) while saying the car was at fault, including cases on Gozo.uk.trustpilot.com

Green flags (4)

  • Many recent reviews describe fast, friendly counter service and help with card or paperwork problems, including after-midnight arrivals.
  • About a dozen reviews report free upgrades, such as a larger class or an automatic car, or a better car than the one booked.
  • Several reviews describe the desk resolving flat tyres, bulbs, accidents or insurance paperwork helpfully, sometimes with a refund or compensation.
  • Some travellers report the deposit released within days to about 10 working days and no disputed charges at return, mostly when they took the desk's full cover.

Practical facts

LocationNearby car park or building, about 3 min on foot from the terminalsource
Opening hoursDaily 08:00–02:00source
Credit card requiredNot confirmed yet
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policyFull to fullsource
Shares the desk withNo other brands

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 245 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

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Sicily by Car at other airports and stations

Same brand, different counter. We rate each location on its own.

Sicily by Car at Malta Airport: questions and answers

Is Sicily by Car at Malta Airport any good?

Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport has a Counterwise Score of 4.0/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 13 of 17 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Many recent reviews describe fast, friendly counter service and help with card or paperwork problems, including after-midnight arrivals.. Main red flag: Many recent reviews (about 1 in 4 of those with text) report charges for small or hard-to-see damage or for cleaning, from about €135 up to €2,600. Reviewers say the damage was already on the car or was not visible, and several say it was found only on a close return inspection. Forum and Trustpilot posts describe similar cases..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Sicily by Car at Malta Airport?

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport accepts debit cards for the deposit. Check the rental terms when you book.

How much is the deposit at Sicily by Car at Malta Airport?

The deposit amount at Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at JS Car Hire (from €150).

Where is the Sicily by Car desk at Malta Airport?

The Sicily by Car desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 3 minutes on foot from the terminal at Malta Airport.

What are the opening hours of Sicily by Car at Malta Airport?

Sicily by Car at Malta International Airport is open Daily 08:00–02:00. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Malta Airport

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