'Disappointing' results in holiday car rental tests

GOOD SERVICE from holiday car rental companies is a concept “unknown” to many European rental agencies, and Irish motorists may expect problems ranging from demands for extra money to missing wheel nuts, according to a new survey.

For the third year, 18 EuroTest partner clubs – European motoring organisations – tested 60 rental companies in Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Turkey.

EuroTest described the results as “disappointing” and “showing no improvement”. Cars were rented directly on site for a day trip during the main tourist period, between July 5th and July 18th, 2008, and the results were published in Brussels in recent weeks.

The worst result went to a Nissan Micra offered by Europcar on the Greek island of Santorini, which was in terrible condition: defects included two distorted rims on the front axle, a badly damaged tyre side wall and a missing wheel nut.

Five of the seven off-road vehicles rented showed damage to the chassis, steering or brakes. Equipment and passenger safety were also lacking. EuroTest said poor ratings for off-road vehicles are especially worrying as many tourists have little experience with these vehicles.

The 2009 best rental car was from National on the Greek island of Kos, which provided a Chevrolet Matiz in good condition and good service. Second and third places went to Croatian agencies. Hertz in Dubrovnik was the only agency that offered a faultless car – a brand new Fiat Punto. However, flaws in service meant it missed out on first place.

In many destinations and for many people, it seems the aim of a carefree holiday trip with a hired car has yet to be reached.

The survey found that bad service often starts at the agency counter. “Questions about insurance and deposits are laughed off. . . When the family finally finds the car, the tank is empty and the radio is broken,” was a typical scenario.

Of 60 companies assessed, 37 failed the service category.

“It is important that holidaymakers be able to rest assured that car rental agencies will treat them fairly and inform them correctly, and that the vehicle provided will be in a road-worthy condition,” it concluded.