How much is the deposit on a rental car in Tunisia, and how do you get it back? On the vehicles offered by Rencaro, the security deposit ranged from 2,000 to 3,000 TND on 27 September 2026, depending on the model. It is paid to the partner agency at pick-up and returned when you bring the car back, minus any sums owed. Everything hinges on that last clause: knowing what can be kept, and how to avoid it.
What the deposit is for
The deposit is a guarantee, not a payment. The agency holds it for the whole rental to cover anything it may be owed at the end: damage the insurance does not pay for, the excess after an accident, missing fuel or, in the extreme case, a car that is not returned.
If you bring the car back on time, in the condition you received it and with the same fuel level, you get the full deposit back.
The amounts by vehicle
The amount is set per model and shown on each listing before you book, under "Deposit". This is what we found in the catalogue on 27 September 2026:
| Vehicle | Deposit |
|---|---|
| City cars and saloons, manual or automatic (Kia Picanto, Dacia Logan, Hyundai i20, Renault Clio 5…) | 2,000 to 2,500 TND |
| Dacia Sandero Stepway, Suzuki Jimny | 2,500 TND |
| Peugeot Traveller, 9 seats | 3,000 TND |
These figures change with the catalogue: the amount on the listing, then on the contract, is always the one that counts.
How it is paid
As no card is needed to book, the deposit is paid directly to the agency, at the same time as the rental. Depending on the agency, it can be paid in cash or secured another way. If you plan to pay cash, have the amount ready in dinars before you arrive, count it in front of the agent and ask for a receipt stating the amount.
How a rental without a bank card works, from changing money to receiving the keys, is covered in renting a car in Tunisia without a credit card.
What can be kept from the deposit
The rental conditions set out what the agency may keep. The most common cases:
- Missing fuel. The car goes back with the level recorded at pick-up; otherwise the top-up and a service charge are billed.
- Damage not covered by the insurance. The conditions exclude, among other things, headlights, mirrors, windscreen, bumpers, paintwork, tyres and wheel rims, as well as lost keys or documents.
- The excess. After a covered accident, an excess stated in the contract remains payable by you.
- Late return. Rentals are counted in 24-hour periods with one hour's grace: beyond that, an extra day is due.
- Cleaning, if the car comes back in a state that requires it.
The difference between deposit and excess, and the cover that reduces the latter, is explained in which insurance to choose for your rental.
Getting the whole deposit back: the method
Almost every dispute comes down to two moments: pick-up and return.
At pick-up, walk round the car with the agent and make sure every scratch, chip or scuffed rim is noted on the condition report. Any reservation must be raised then and written on the contract. Then film the car slowly, outside and in, including the odometer and fuel gauge: the video is time-stamped, which makes it the best evidence in a disagreement.
During the rental, keep the receipt for your last fill-up, made as close as possible to the return point.
At return, bring the car back during the agency's opening hours and hand the keys over in person. Walk round the car again with the agent, have the absence of new damage confirmed in writing, then collect the deposit or a document stating when and how it will be returned.
If you disagree
Contact the agency first, since it is the party you signed the contract with. If the disagreement persists — an amount kept that you dispute, damage that was already on the condition report — write to our team at contact@rencaro.com with your photos and documents: we take the case up with the partner agency.
If the problem follows an accident or a breakdown, the procedure is different; it is set out in what to do after an accident or breakdown in a rental car.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the deposit for a rental car in Tunisia?
On Rencaro, it ranged from 2,000 to 3,000 TND on 27 September 2026, depending on the model. The exact amount is on each listing before you book, then on the rental contract.
When is the deposit returned?
When you bring the car back, after the return inspection. If nothing is owed, it is returned in full; otherwise the agency deducts the sums set out in the contract.
Is the deposit the same as the excess?
No. The deposit is the money you leave as a guarantee. The excess is the share of a claim you pay after the insurance has paid out; it is taken from the deposit only after an accident.
Can the deposit be reduced?
The amount is set by the agency for each model. City cars generally carry the lowest deposit, which is worth checking on the listing if your budget on the spot is tight.
