Imposed Company Car

Trickyuk

Not sure if this is the right forum but I have a question related to having a company car.

I currently have a company car which due to my large family is a 7 seater Seat Alhambra. Before taking the job this was agreed as it is a family need. My wife doesn't drive so this is our only car.

Having had the car for 3 1/2 years I am now being told I have to have a new car as my current vehicle lease is due to expire in 6 months. However, they have now said I am not allowed a 7 seater vehcle and that I must choose from the normal car list. If I do not then I will have a new vehicle imposed on me.

I have asked for a car allowance which was flattly refused.

Can my company change policy on cars like this? If so can the really impose a change like this and force me to have a new car.

HappyMJ

Trickyuk wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right forum but I have a question related to having a company car.

I currently have a company car which due to my large family is a 7 seater Seat Alhambra. Before taking the job this was agreed as it is a family need. My wife doesn't drive so this is our only car.

Having had the car for 3 1/2 years I am now being told I have to have a new car as my current vehicle lease is due to expire in 6 months. However, they have now said I am not allowed a 7 seater vehcle and that I must choose from the normal car list. If I do not then I will have a new vehicle imposed on me.

I have asked for a car allowance which was flattly refused.

Can my company change policy on cars like this? If so can the really impose a change like this and force me to have a new car.

The lease is up...yes. The new car proposed meets the business requirements. What you need for your personal use does not matter.

If you need a 7 seater you'll have to buy one for yourself.

nearlyrich

Many companies have clamped down on operating expenses over the time you have had your seven seater, it is probably the excessive cost compared to what the rest of the people have that has made them do this. Also there may be other people who would like something better suited to their personal circumstances but the easiest fleet to run is where everyone has the same brand of car with minor variations for seniority.


Can you buy the car you have now from the lease company and use it as your main car when you are not working? It could work in your favour if you drive it to the place you work from and then swap to the company car strictly for business as you can tell the tax man you have no personal use of the company car and it should be less tax to pay.

Trickyuk

nearlyrich wrote: »

Many companies have clamped down on operating expenses over the time you have had your seven seater, it is probably the excessive cost compared to what the rest of the people have that has made them do this. Also there may be other people who would like something better suited to their personal circumstances but the easiest fleet to run is where everyone has the same brand of car with minor variations for seniority.


Can you buy the car you have now from the lease company and use it as your main car when you are not working? It could work in your favour if you drive it to the place you work from and then swap to the company car strictly for business as you can tell the tax man you have no personal use of the company car and it should be less tax to pay.

My actual business miles are fairly limited. The company I work for originally allowed working from home for 2 days a week and on average I was in the office 2-3 days a week. It is a 170 mile round commute.

However I am now classed as working from the office so all mileage to and from the office is personal.

To be honest this is one of a few things they are up to in order to get me to leave. They may get their wish.

xylophone

Would the leasing company permit you to buy the vehicle?

Look for a new job ( but don't resign until you have one.....).

[Deleted User]

They did you a favour by letting you have a bigger car, they are now withdrawing that favour, unless it was in your contract you have to accept this, or change jobs

Tiddlywinks

Trickyuk wrote: »

My actual business miles are fairly limited. The company I work for originally allowed working from home for 2 days a week and on average I was in the office 2-3 days a week. It is a 170 mile round commute.

However I am now classed as working from the office so all mileage to and from the office is personal.

To be honest this is one of a few things they are up to in order to get me to leave. They may get their wish.

The 170 mile round trip commute is your responsibility - most working people have to pay to get themselves to work.

Also, most people with large families have to buy and maintain their own cars or get public transport... why do think the company should provide a bigger car than the business actually needs just because you chose to have more kids than the average family... not their problem.

patman99

Actually op, you are lucky that your employer allows private use of their car. A growing number of companies no longer allow private use of company vehicles to the point that they fit trackers to make sure this dosn't happen.

Darksparkle

Sometimes think people forget that the company has to incur all costs relating to these cars as well as national insurance.