Rental vehicle checks

If you are seeking to report the company, you could contact the local trading standards body (select your department’s contact details from the list at tinyurl.com/trading-French-DG).
As for the safety of hire vehicles in general, they of course should go through a contrôle technique (French ‘MOT’ test) on a regular basis, like any other vehicle.

In the case of hire cars this is every two years, as it is for private ones, once the car is more than four years old.

However, vans and pickups etc (called véhicules utilitaires), should also undergo a pollution test every other year, alternating with the contrôle technique.

If the van is up to date with these, it should have a vignette (sticker) in the window within its expiry date period which should be marked on it.
We assume the vehicle you used was a van up to 3.5 tonnes, which can be driven by someone with an ordinary car licence. Over this, vehicles are considered poids lourd (an HGV), and require a CT every year, as do taxis and minicabs.

Hire car firms should also allow for you to inspect the vehicle before taking it, and you should make sure any visible damage is noted on a form signed by both parties.

You should also check what is included and excluded in the insurance provided.