Moment rental car workers take vehicles for joyride at Heathrow

Rental firm car workers were spotted whizzing around in motors in a car park near Heathrow Terminal Five.

Onlooker John Allison was stunned to see the two drivers in the Europcar lot on Sunday evening.

One white hatchback was seen at high speed before the worker braked suddenly and spun around 180 degrees.

Another silver motor went past it but also made a sudden turn.

The footage was captured from the Thistle Hotel, just outside Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.

John said he was meeting fellow aircraft enthusiasts when he noticed it.

‘I have used them before, but I will not in the future,’ the 53-year-old told Luxury Auto News.

‘We first heard the noise and looked at the road, but then heard it again. After walking along the balcony, we noticed it.

‘I could not believe employees did this. If they had a crash, who is responsible? It’s disgusting.’

Europcar has since apologised after the footage emerged, and said it violates safety standards.

A spokesperson said: ‘The company can confirm that the driving behaviour pictured in the TikTok video is in complete contravention of all safety standards it has in place.

‘One individual was an agency worker, and their contract has been terminated. The other individuals have been suspended from their duties pending a full investigation.

‘Whilst the incident took place in a private car park, not accessible by the public and which does not hold customers’ vehicles, safety is our primary concern and such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

‘It should also be noted that the company does not park or hold customer vehicles on any of its sites.’

In 2022, a car wash worker smashed up a customer’s classic Mercedes after taking it for a 60-mile joyride when he was meant to give it a ‘super valet’.

Omid Abas, 41, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the rare 1992 550E vehicle after he lost control of it while trying to avoid a mouse on the road.

The Mercedes’ owner, Kevin Murphy, 77, returned to pick up the vehicle – one of only 29 models imported to the UK – to find it had virtually been written off in the smash, with one wheel almost horizontal.

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