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Poor quality vehicles, hidden charges and complex insurance are turning hiring a car abroad into a minefield, claims a new study.

The AA Motoring Trust found that over a third of hire cars were rated poor or very poor, some with serious safety defects.

Confusing insurance and questionable post-hire charges were also highlighted as problems leading many tourists to be ripped off.

Paul Watters, of the AA Motoring Trust, said: "Hiring a car anywhere in Europe should be a relatively easy and transparent process. Very often it is not and becomes an exercise in risk that can cost you dear.'

Holidaymakers were found to face poor service and were often pressured into taking unnecessary insurance, without being explained why. Basic documentation was also often missing and some tourists had to pay for non-existent repairs.

On a positive side the survey found that 13 out of 15 cars hired out by big operators were in very good condition and among local firms just under half of the 43 cars hired were of a very good standard.

However, one in the 15 cars from international companies and 10 in the 43 from the local firms were found to be in very poor condition.

Cars hired in Playa de las Americas, in Tenerife, and Alanya, in Turkey, were also highlighted as being particularly bad.

Travellers are being advised to reject any car that is not relatively new and clean.


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