Holidaymakers treated 'unfairly' by car hire companies

Many holidaymakers are being treated unfairly by car hire companies when hiring a car in Europe, new research suggests.

Unfair terms within car hire contracts are common, with some people being quoted one price over the internet only to find that it changes on arrival or when they check their credit card statement.

Other holidaymakers have been subjected to unfair charges when cars are returned with empty fuel tanks and are charged above the market rate for replacement petrol, according to Citizens Advice, which runs the UK Office of the European Consumer Centre.

And some have found themselves charged for repairs for disputed damage claims and often do not get their deposits returned.

"These findings show that many people across Europe are being let down by car hire companies," said Ruth Bamford, director of the UK European Consumer Centre (ECC).

"For most people challenging the decisions by these companies by taking cross-border legal action is too expensive and complex to be a real option. We want to see more work done to improve consumer laws so they are simple and consistent across Europe and people know their rights and can enforce them."

The ECC wants to see fair and standard rental car contracts developed across Europe, and the development of ombudsman-type bodies for dispute resolution.

It also wants bodies such as the Office of Fair Trading to take cross-border action against traders, and an investigation into proposals to allow credit card payments to be revoked in particular circumstances.

For tips on avoiding problems when hiring a car, see www.euroconsumer.org.uk