In October I hired a car from Europcar’s Guildford office and spent a weekend surfing in Cornwall. Two days after dropping the car back I received an invoice for “damage” at £85 and an admin fee of £27 – £112 in total – which turned out to be for an enhanced valet due to sand in the footwells.

I have insurance for car hire excess, recommended on the Guardian website, but it was unable to help as the policy specifically rules out interior damage. I then went via Resolver.com to make a complaint and have been offered a £50 refund by Europcar, which still leaves me £62 out of pocket. Yes, we got a bit of sand from the beach in the footwells, but nothing that wouldn’t take a couple of minutes to vacuum up. DL, Guildford

We’ve seen the photos and agree that Europcar’s stance is over the top, in a sector that just loves to impose extra charges. What next? Should you have to polish the alloy wheels before giving the car back?

Europcar told us that it stands by the charge, which it claims is in its T&Cs. You and all other surfers may want to avoid Europcar until further notice.

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