European Holiday Destinations Witness Significant Drop in Car Hire Prices – Expert Advice from The Complaining Cow

The cost of car hire has fallen in many European destinations this year, compared to 2023, according to Which? analysis. 

The consumer champion states that it “…examined data supplied by car hire broker Zest Rental, a Which? Recommended Provider, for over 3,000 rentals at airports in 13 popular holiday destinations including Orlando, Alicante, Lanzarote, and Corfu for the forthcoming Easter and summer holidays.” According to Which? “The data covers all car types, for week-long rentals.”

 Naomi Leach, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel commented:

“Travelers should nonetheless be cautious if they’re quoted a rock-bottom price that sounds too good to be true.

Even when prices are low, the worst companies might still employ dodgy tactics like adding on unfair fees or pressuring you to purchase extras that you don’t need.”

 Which? has found that when prices fall, the number of complaints about car hire companies often increases.

Helen Dewdney, The Complaining Cow, provides advice on how to book to obtain the best protection and how to complain if things do go wrong.

Do your research on car hire prices and conditions

Explore comparison websites and companies’ own websites. Search for discount codes and use cashback sites to make big savings. Check what is and isn’t covered so you are comparing like with like.

Check out insurance for car hire

As with any insurance, you will have to choose how much excess you want to pay and if you want to cover tires, windscreen, etc. Theft protection may be extra too (it is mandatory in Italy). Consider taking out cheaper insurance with an independent insurer.

How to pay for your car hire

Pay by credit card if the total cost is over £100, for added protection.

Check the hire car!

Before you drive off in your lovely hire car, make sure you look at everything. Check the tyres, the fuel level, the windows, the interior and the bodywork of the car before leaving the rental depot.

Paperwork

Ensure that any pre-existing damage is clearly indicated on the pre-rental inspection report or rental agreement. If the document is in another language, add your own note in English on the paperwork and take a photo with your phone.

Car hire membership

If hiring in the UK, check to see if the company is a member of the British Vehicle Rental Leasing Association (BVRLA). If hiring in Europe, use members of the European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS). This gives you more rights in the event of a problem.

Keep all evidence of the car hire condition

Take dated and timed photos and videos taken from all angles. Agree on any damages you caused with the car hire company before signing the return form.

Don’t be scammed

Dewdney warns:

“Be sure that the person to whom you are returning the car is from the firm and not someone trying to steal the car!  (This does happen!). Make sure the company representative signs the documents to say that the vehicle has been returned in the same condition. Sign yourself and again take photos and video of all around the vehicle.”

Keep your car hire paperwork!

Whilst it is commonplace to hear of rental companies charging for non-existent damage, it is less common to hear of it happening half a year later! But that is exactly what happened to a car hire customer whom Dewdney helped.

Dewdney says:

“Having hired a car from a UK franchise, he was stunned to receive an unsigned and undated letter from the company saying it had deducted several hundred pounds from his credit card six MONTHS after returning the car.

He emailed the CEOs of the company he paid and the franchise, asking why this happened so long after the car’s return, including requests to see evidence (copies of mileage and subsequent hires), and pointed out his legal rights. Alec received an immediate refund.”

How to complain about the damage you didn’t cause to a hired vehicle

• Send your photographic evidence.
• For UK rentals the Consumer Rights Act 2015 legally entitles you to services carried out with reasonable skill and care.
• The BVRLA’s Code of Conduct says providers must act “….with integrity and ensure any agents working on their behalf also follow the standards set out in this Code of Conduct” This Code (quote it) also says that the company must advise you of any costs no more than 10 days after return and cannot take money from your card without informing you.
• If a payment is taken long after the vehicle was returned, question the reasoning for holding onto your credit card details. Under The General Data Protection Regulations 2018 there must be a valid reason for holding your data.
• If the company is a member of the European Car Rental Conciliation Service, quote the Leaseurope Code of Best Practice. Under this, the company should inspect the returned vehicle in the customer’s presence and provide a written post-rental inspection report.
• An EU-wide directive 005/29/EC concerns unfair commercial practices, including a ban on conduct below a level that may be expected towards a consumer. Quote this for EU rentals, e.g. not ensuring pre-existing damage clearly indicated on pre rental inspection report. The UK implemented this through the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
• Contact the CEO. (Find email addresses from ceoemail.com). Outline dates, evidence, and breaches of relevant codes and laws.
• Both BVRLA and ECRCS run Alternative Dispute Resolution schemes for members. Should you not be happy with the provider’s response you can use the ADR scheme free of charge. Companies are bound by the adjudicator’s decisions.
• If you paid over £100 by credit card, contact your card provider, who under Section 75A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is jointly liable for the transaction and may refund the charge.
• Be polite and objective but assertive! Provide a deadline by which they must reply and what you will do to escalate if necessary, e.g. Small Claims Court, including claiming for out of pocket expenses.
• Follow the advice in the Top 20 Tips How to Complain effectively!

 What to do about parking tickets in Europe

You might be forgiven for thinking that you can ignore a fine when parking abroad, especially after Brexit. Unfortunately, this is not true, as nations share information about vehicle ownership and any letters about parking fines or speeding will be sent to your home.

If you hold a UK driving license, the fine will not follow you home automatically. The EU country has to issue a request for the payment of the violation that will arrive in the form of a letter.