Refunds
Understand how Motion Rental processes Security Bond refunds, when manual processing applies, and when to expect your funds back after returning your vehicle.
Motion Rental issues refunds once per week, usually on Friday, after at least 5 full business days from your vehicle return. Refunds are processed through PayTo, which uses your existing Direct Debit agreement. If PayTo is unavailable, Motion Rental will process your refund manually.
Refund payment method
Motion Rental processes your Security Bond refund through PayTo. This uses the Direct Debit agreement you approved at the start of your rental, so in most cases your funds are returned automatically without any extra steps.
If you cancel your Direct Debit agreement after returning the vehicle, Motion Rental cannot process your refund through PayTo and will need to handle it manually. Manual processing may cause delays.
Primary method: PayTo
If your Direct Debit agreement is still active when the refund is due, Motion Rental sends the payment through PayTo automatically. No action is required from you.
Manual processing
Manual processing applies in these situations:
- Your bank does not participate in PayTo services
- You cancelled your Direct Debit agreement after returning the vehicle
If manual processing is required, Motion Rental will contact you after your rental ends to request your BSB and account number for a bank transfer.
Refund process timeline
Refunds run in a weekly cycle, with a buffer between when you return the vehicle and when Motion Rental releases funds.
Motion Rental processes refunds once per week, usually on Friday.
5 business day buffer rule
Refunds do not go out immediately after you return the vehicle. Motion Rental uses a fixed buffer period to finalise your account before the next weekly processing run.
Motion Rental requires a minimum of 5 full business days between your vehicle return date and the next Friday refund processing window.
The buffer allows Motion Rental to:
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Inspect the vehicle condition after return
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Confirm fuel levels and refuelling charges (if any)
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Check for toll road usage
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Review fines and infringements linked to your rental
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Verify and settle any other outstanding amounts on your account
If Motion Rental identifies pending charges during this period, the team will complete those checks before releasing any remaining funds.
Refund examples
These examples show how the 5 business day buffer and weekly processing cycle work together. Exact dates depend on public holidays and the specific Friday cycle in your rental period.
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Vehicle returned on Saturday
Minimum 5 business day buffer runs from Monday to Friday. Your refund is then included in the upcoming Friday cycle — roughly 6 days after return. -
Vehicle returned on Monday
Minimum 5 business day buffer runs from Tuesday to the following Monday. Your refund falls into the following week’s Friday cycle — roughly 11 days after return. -
Vehicle returned on Wednesday
Minimum 5 business day buffer runs from Thursday to the following Wednesday. Your refund is processed in the next week’s Friday cycle — roughly 9 days after return.
If Motion Rental still needs information from you, for example bank details for manual processing, your refund will move to the next available Friday cycle after the required details are received.
Final notes
Make refund processing as smooth and fast as possible by following these points:
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Keep your Direct Debit agreement active until your Security Bond refund has been processed.
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If Motion Rental requests your BSB and account number for a manual transfer, send those details promptly.
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Expect delays if Motion Rental is waiting on information from you or still finalising inspections, fuel checks, tolls, fines, infringements, or other outstanding amounts.
FAQs
Motion Rental adds your refund to the next available Friday processing cycle after your bank details are received and the 5 business day buffer has passed. If you send bank details after the current week's processing run, your refund will move to the following week's cycle.
Motion Rental sends you a confirmation message via WhatsApp or SMS once your refund has been processed. After you receive this confirmation, your bank may still take some time to show the funds in your account, depending on their processing times.
If your bank does not participate in PayTo services, Motion Rental will contact you after your rental ends to request your BSB and account number and process your refund manually.
If you cancel your Direct Debit agreement before your refund is processed, Motion Rental cannot use PayTo to return your Security Bond. Motion Rental will need to process the refund manually instead, which may take longer.
Motion Rental processes refunds once per week (Friday) to give enough time to:
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Inspect the vehicle condition
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Confirm fuel levels and refuelling charges
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Check toll usage
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Review fines and infringements
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Verify any other pending or outstanding charges
This weekly cycle ensures that your account is fully settled before any remaining funds are released.