CONSUMER LAW | AGCM fines ALD Automotive for unfair commercial practices

On 23 September 2025, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) concluded proceedings PS12954 against ALD Automotive Italia S.r.l. (ALD), a leading company in the long-term car rental sector, for engaging in unfair commercial practices in breach of the Italian Consumer Code (ICC). The case concerned an optional paid service offered by ALD to limit consumers’ liability for vehicle damage during long-term rentals. According to the AGCM, ALD failed to provide clear, complete and transparent pre-contractual and contractual information on the service, particularly regarding the requirement to report any damage through an online portal within a short timeframe to benefit from coverage. AGCM also found that ALD failed to clearly disclose the criteria used to assess and quantify damages at vehicle return, preventing consumers from understanding which damages would be considered normal wear and tear. AGCM deemed aggressive ALD’s practice of charging consumers for minor damages detected only at the end-of-rental inspection, even when such damages were not visible to the naked eye and could not have been reasonably reported earlier. AGCM held that the overall conduct constituted a single unfair commercial practice in violation of Articles 20, 21, 22 and 24 ICC, and imposed a €5 million fine on ALD.

Newsletter n. 111 – October 2025