Car Hire Extras Still Catch Travellers Out
Holidaymakers are still being caught by car hire charges that are not clear at the first quote stage, according to a new Which? survey. The consumer group says some renters only discover the real cost once extras, age-related fees, insurance pressure or additional-driver charges appear later in the booking process or at the rental desk.
What the Which? Survey Found
- Survey size: more than 3,600 recent car hire customers.
- Extra charges: 13% paid more than first quoted.
- Survey period: February and March.
- Hertz test: additional-driver fee was not clearly shown during booking.
- Hidden cost found: £144 per week for an extra driver.
- Goldcar: lowest overall score, at 48%.
- Goldcar renters: 28% reported additional charges.
Which? says unclear car hire pricing remains a problem more than a decade after the CMA asked major firms to show key costs upfront. The latest findings point to fees that can be easy to miss, including older-driver charges, insurance costs and extra-driver fees. In one Hertz test, the additional-driver cost was not shown during the main booking flow, while Goldcar said it would look into reported service concerns.
The findings matter most for road trips, resort stays and family holidays where a car looks cheaper than taxis or public transport. Before booking, travellers should check the full rental conditions, driver age rules, fuel policy, insurance excess, deposit, mileage limit and extra-driver charges. Screenshots of the original quote can also help if a later charge looks wrong.
A low headline price is not enough to judge a car hire deal. The safer choice is the one where fees are visible before payment, not explained at the counter after a flight. Anyone booking for peak summer dates should compare the final price, not the first one shown, and leave time at pick-up to question anything added.