Major car hire firm hit with €1 million fine in Spain for abusive added extras

Avis, a major car hire company, has been fined €1 million by Spain's consumer ministry for abusive practices. The fine was the maximum allowed under Spanish law, as the firm was found to have charged customers extra for processing traffic fines collected in their rental cars. Avis added between €33.88 and €45 to bills under the heading of "administrative management of sanctions" whenever a driver was fined while driving one of its vehicles.

Spanish law already required the rental company, not the customer, to identify the driver. Charging for this duty was deemed an unfair contract term and broke consumer protection laws. A Basque consumer group, EKA/ACUV, brought the complaint, which led to the investigation. The case has raised concerns about other potential abusive practices by the car rental firm, including billing for unrequested services and targeting foreign tourists.

Holidaymakers are advised to carefully review rental contracts and keep records of all charges. The fine stands as a warning to the rental sector during the busy summer season. The administrative process is now closed, but Avis can still appeal the decision.