Cats have worked well for us. Really well. We have the full spectrum of bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, owls and raptors. Our first pair made it about eighteen years, so it is possible to have cats with the right stuff for a long time. One even liked to take on, play with and eat rattlesnakes.
I still leave peanut butter and oatmeal baited traps in critical spots. When I was helping take care of a cottage, we used cigarettes cracked in half. It was the only thing that worked all winter. Lots of things were tried; mothballs did nothing, and the peppermint oil smelled nice, but yes, didn't slow the mice down, the Irish Spring soap was chewed on, and in some case chewed up, like
@glcaines experience. Ultimately, getting fanatical about closing every hole 1/4" and up solved the problem, but you can't do that on a vehicle. For vehicles, I try to make sure that they get started regularly in the fall and spring when rodents are on the move.
For rats, I like the Wildlife Control Supplies tube traps, baited or not.
All the best,
2Pbfeet