UK consumers have been told to wise up when hiring a vehicle in the EU.

The warning comes from leading consumer group the UK European Consumer Centre, who claims that British motorists are failing to take basic precautions when renting on the continent.

The statement from the UKECC follows a sharp rise in number of consumer complaints from UK consumers relating to car hire within the EU have skyrocketed in the first part of 2010, with general inquiries also up markedly. Complaints from UK drivers rose by nearly 30 per cent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year, with the most common countries complained about being Spain, France, Italy and Ireland.

UK European Consumer Centre (UKECC) Manager, Jed Mayatt, said that the group was aware that complaints were rising but did not anticipate to such a level. Mayatt urged UK consumers to wise up and get themselves organised when entering into EU rental contracts, which can contain significant differences from those at home. To aid those travelling to the continent negotiate the tricky contract market, the UK ECC has produced a new leaflet aimed at forewarning UK consumers, whether they are travelling on business or leisure, which can be downloaded from their website.

Mayatt also added that tough economic times often left the consumer at their most vulnerable, and holidaymakers tend to be more trusting and relaxed when away from home. The biggest threat to breaking this apparent trust was not signing off the rental correctly, leaving it at a drop off point and not going through the return checklist – which leaves the door open for rental companies to add on fees that may not appear for weeks or months on the renter’s credit card statement.