Consumer Ministry fines Avis one million euros for abusive practices

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has imposed a fine of one million euros on the car rental company Avis, deemed responsible for abusive practices. The sanction was announced today by the department headed by Pablo Bustinduy, which argues that Avis charged its customers fees for handling traffic fines while using their rental vehicles.

According to reports, Avis applied charges ranging from 33.88 to 45 euros to those customers who received some form of penalty while driving. This type of fee has been described as "abusive practice" by the ministry, which claims it creates an undue economic burden on consumers.

The penalty comes after Avis's repeated engagement in this practice, despite a court ruling issued in 2020 that already deemed such charges illegal. The ministry has stated that rental vehicle companies are not allowed to charge individuals for managing the payment of fines imposed during the use of a rented car.

Several media outlets report that the Government considers such practices not only detrimental to users but also in violation of established regulations for companies in the sector. The sanction has been classified as the maximum possible under current legislation.

The ministry emphasizes that such measures aim to protect consumers and ensure that companies operate within the established legal framework. The decision to impose the fine has drawn attention from both car rental sectors and affected consumers.

Avis has not issued an official statement in response to the fine. However, the company is expected to review its charging policies to align with regulations and avoid future penalties. The practice of charging additional fees has been a debated topic in the sector, and the sanction could lead to changes in the policies of other car rental companies.