Can my employer force me to have a company car?

Vectis

So, you signed your contract of employment saying that you'd have a company car and now you've changed your mind because you want to 'buy a car I like, as the company has a very limited selection'?

Basically you've changed your mind because you don't like the range of cars offered? And you expect your employer to simply fall in line with that?

I know what I'd say if I were your employer - and I'd probably be marking you down as a difficult employee too.

How long have you had this undesirable company car? How long have you been employed there?

getmore4less

If you don't get any person benifit from the car you should be able to structure it so that you don't pay any tax

thye can probably make you have a car but can't make you use it for personal use.

Start here

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/exb/a-z/c/cars.htm

andyhofer

OhReally wrote: »

So you don't want the car, but expect to dictate to the employer how and when the car may be used? :cool:

Yes, you're right, I don't want the car, and the employer can use it how they like, I don't care, I just don't want to use it in MY OWN TIME.

andyhofer

Vectis wrote: »

So, you signed your contract of employment saying that you'd have a company car and now you've changed your mind because you want to 'buy a car I like, as the company has a very limited selection'?

Basically you've changed your mind because you don't like the range of cars offered? And you expect your employer to simply fall in line with that?

I know what I'd say if I were your employer - and I'd probably be marking you down as a difficult employee too.

How long have you had this undesirable company car? How long have you been employed there?

Changed my mind, I think after being with the company for 25 years and having a company car for at least 15 of them I should be in a position to change my mind at some point.

The car is 2 yrs old, but in my own time I'd like to drive a car I like, rather than one I don't that I have to pay for. I assume you'd be happy having a company uniform that you have to wear when you go out on a Saturday night, NICE, and that's before you pay tax on it.;)

Takeaway_Addict

andyhofer wrote: »

Changed my mind, I think after being with the company for 25 years and having a company car for at least 15 of them I should be in a position to change my mind at some point.

The car is 2 yrs old, but in my own time I'd like to drive a car I like, rather than one I don't that I have to pay for. I assume you'd be happy having a company uniform that you have to wear when you go out on a Saturday night, NICE, and that's before you pay tax on it.;)

But the other person could buy other clothes, no on is forcing them to wear the uniform, just as you could buy a car for yourself anyway.

andyhofer

blondebubbles wrote: »

Probably not the best comparison given that if it's a company uniform (so most likely logo'd) then there wouldn't be any tax to pay.

Ok, fair comment, was just demonstrating how you'd feel if you did pay tax on it. Just trying to get across that I only use it in my own time, private mileage, and as such it'd be nice to choose what it was.

Many other companies allow cash alternatives, multitude of cars to choose from etc, but the options for me a just four. It's meant to be a benefit, and at the rate the tax on company cars is going up, give it a couple of years and I'll be paying an extra £110 per month for the car that I still don't like.

That'll make it around £360 per month.

I'm quite surprised re some comments, all I'm asking for is not to have the car, which would save the company money, I'm not asking for any alternative. I never see customers so the image isn't an issue. I actually want to buy a car twice the price of my company car, but I can't justify it to myself to have two cars. I'm sure the company would be fine if I turned down a pay rise or bonus, but this doesn't seem as simple.

getmore4less

Solve the real problem the tax


Phone up HMRC and ask them what you have to do to still have the car but pay no tax.

Should be just no personal use.

Park the car on the company property and ONLY use it for work.

Use your own car for personal and commute.

topdaddy_2

OhReally wrote: »

So you don't want the car, but expect to dictate to the employer how and when the car may be used? :cool:

If he's paying for it why not?
Op does your company not offer a cash alternative for private car use?

andyhofer

topdaddy wrote: »

If he's paying for it why not?
Op does your company not offer a cash alternative for private car use?

No, my employer does not offer a cash alternative.

Also, I have to pay tax if the car is "made available" so even if I leave it parked at work and never use it, I will still be taxed.

usefulmale

andyhofer wrote: »

No, my employer does not offer a cash alternative.

Also, I have to pay tax if the car is "made available" so even if I leave it parked at work and never use it, I will still be taxed.

Don't view a car as anything other than a contraption to take you from A to B. You say you want to buy a car thats twice the price of the one you have been given. Why? Its going to spend 8 hours a day sat in your company car park, another 8 sat in the garage whilst you sleep, so unless you spend the other 8 hours driving all the time, its just a waste of your money, instead of the companies.