The study analyzed the prices of a week's car hire in August in countries such as Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, the UK, and the USA. The analysis showed that prices are on average 77% higher than they were in 2019 due to a high demand for car rentals and depleted stocks. The USA was found to be the most expensive country, with an average price of £546, representing a 92% rise since 2019.
While the UK, Cyprus, and Italy have all seen prices double over the same period, car hire is overall marginally cheaper than in 2022. However, it should be noted that rental companies with the cheapest headline prices may have hidden charges.
Almost half of the respondents in a survey of nearly 2,700 Which? members reported being worried about being exploited by a rental company. The director of corporate affairs at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association attributed the price increase to inflationary and cost pressures, supply challenges when sourcing cars and parts, and investment in bringing cleaner and greener vehicles to the roads.