Europcar

Car hire firm Europcar UK has confirmed it is being investigated over the repair costs it charges customers, and has admitted the issue could cost it some £30 million.

Car hire companies have been ordered to treat customers more fairly after the European Union found complaints about rental firms have doubled in recent years.

Holidaymakers who have paid to rent a car via the agency Atlas Choice are reporting that bookings have been unexpectedly cancelled, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal – with a number of customers reportedly left car-less and stranded at foreign airports.

Five of the major car rental companies – Avis-Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, which represent two thirds of the UK and EU market – have agreed to improve the information they give to motorists following a Europe-wide review of the industry.