Car clubs promote themselves as a straightforward, pay-as-you-go alternative to owning a car — you book a vehicle, drive it, return it, and pay for the time you’ve used. But many people wonder whether there are extra charges tucked away in the small print. Are car clubs as transparent as they claim to be, or are there hidden fees to watch out for?

The short answer is that car clubs are generally upfront about their pricing, but there are several additional fees that can catch people out if they don’t read the terms carefully. These aren’t “hidden” in the dishonest sense, but they’re often easy to overlook when you’re comparing costs.

The Basics Are Usually Clear

All major UK car clubs — including Zipcar, Enterprise, Co-Wheels and Hiyacar — display their hourly and daily rates clearly in their apps and on their websites. In most cases, fuel, insurance and basic mileage are included, so what you see at the time of booking is broadly what you’ll pay.

The confusion tends to come from extra charges that apply only in certain situations, such as late returns, cleaning, or high mileage. These are all listed in the terms and conditions, but most people don’t read the fine print before booking.

Common Extra Charges

While each provider has its own fee structure, a few costs show up across almost every car club:

• Late return fees – Car clubs charge for returning a vehicle after your booking ends. These fees can be steep, often charged per minute, because they affect the next member’s booking.
• Cleaning or smoking fees – If you leave the car dirty, with rubbish inside, pet hair, or any sign of smoking, you’ll be charged a cleaning fee.
• Damage or excess – All car club vehicles are insured, but you’re still responsible for the insurance excess (the first part of any repair cost) if damage occurs. Some clubs let you pay extra to reduce the excess.
• Mileage overage – Some car clubs include a set mileage (for example, 60 miles per day) and charge per mile beyond that.
• Parking or fines – You’re responsible for any parking tickets, speeding fines or congestion charges incurred during your booking.
• Toll and congestion charges – In areas like central London, you’ll need to pay these separately, as they’re not included in your rental fee.

Are These Fees Really Hidden?

It’s fair to say that car clubs do have extra charges — but they’re not hidden. Every major provider lists its full fee schedule in plain view, either on its website or in the app before you confirm a booking. The problem is that many people don’t check the details until after they’ve been charged.

Most fees only apply when something goes wrong or when the car isn’t returned as expected. Late return, cleaning, and excess mileage charges are all preventable. In fact, these costs exist to keep the system fair — if one person runs late, it affects the next driver; if a car comes back dirty, the club has to pay for cleaning before it can be used again.

Some people also mistake variable pricing for “hidden” fees. For example, mileage rates, congestion charges or per-hour costs can differ slightly between locations, vehicle types, or cities. These differences are visible in the app when you book, but they’re easy to overlook if you’re comparing clubs without checking the small print.

In short, car clubs are transparent about what they charge, but the details are easy to miss. The safest way to avoid surprises is to familiarise yourself with your provider’s pricing and fee list before your first trip.

Why These Fees Exist

Car clubs aren’t trying to hide charges — they use these fees to keep vehicles available and in good condition for everyone.

Late fees discourage members from running over time and delaying others. Cleaning and damage charges encourage people to return cars in good shape.

In that sense, the extra costs are part of what makes the system work smoothly. They keep car club members honest.

How to Avoid Nasty Surprises

You can avoid almost all extra fees by following a few simple habits:

• Return the car on time – extend your booking if you think you’ll be late.
• Refuel or recharge if required – some clubs include fuel, but others expect you to top up before returning.
• Leave it tidy – take all rubbish out and check for damage before ending your trip.
• Read the terms once – it’s worth five minutes to check your club’s fee list before your first booking.

So, Are There Hidden Fees?

There aren’t truly hidden fees, but there are extra costs that surprise people who don’t read the small print. Late returns, cleaning, damage, and extra mileage are the main culprits. These are all avoidable if you know the rules.

In short, car clubs are transparent about what they charge, but they rely on members being careful. The best way to stay in control is to know the potential add-ons before you drive — that way, what you see at booking really is what you pay.