Splitting commute costs

Weeg73

Hi,
I hope some of you may be able to offer some advice on my commuting situation.
I have just been redeployed by my company to avoid redundancy with one of my colleagues and we now have a 300 mile commute to work, plus a 30 mile daily drive when down there from digs to work and back. As my car has significantly better fuel economy my mate wants to use my car every week, which will add 35,000 miles to my car annually. So far fuel has been split 50/50, but I don't think this is fair as I'll have additional running costs plus a car with extremely high mileage.
Does anyone have any ideas how to split the costs more fairly?

Thanks

lesalanos

You will be taking a substantial hit with things like increased service costs, tyres not to mention a big drop in your car value by doing 35k miles a year.  

Without working out every single cost the easiest way would be to share the trips.  It would be cheaper for you to even pay him an extra little bit for fuel rather than the huge discrepancy you have now 

Scrapit

Sounds terrible. Full stop. Look for another job.

Grumpy_chap

Is the employer offering any contribution to the travel costs?
What about accomodation and subsistence once you are at the new location?
Is this meant to be a long-term solution?

neilmcl

Weeg73 said:

Hi,
I hope some of you may be able to offer some advice on my commuting situation.
I have just been redeployed by my company to avoid redundancy with one of my colleagues and we now have a 300 mile commute to work, plus a 30 mile daily drive when down there from digs to work and back. As my car has significantly better fuel economy my mate wants to use my car every week, which will add 35,000 miles to my car annually. So far fuel has been split 50/50, but I don't think this is fair as I'll have additional running costs plus a car with extremely high mileage.
Does anyone have any ideas how to split the costs more fairly?

Thanks

Use the HMRC approved mileage rates and split the costs that way, eg, 45ppm for the first 10,000 miles, 25ppm thereafter. These rates take into account not just petrol costs but cover the cost of running the car, ie, wear & tear, depreciation etc.

As above, is this a temporary situation, surely you not expecting to do this in the long term?

NottinghamKnight

neilmcl said:

Weeg73 said:

Hi,
I hope some of you may be able to offer some advice on my commuting situation.
I have just been redeployed by my company to avoid redundancy with one of my colleagues and we now have a 300 mile commute to work, plus a 30 mile daily drive when down there from digs to work and back. As my car has significantly better fuel economy my mate wants to use my car every week, which will add 35,000 miles to my car annually. So far fuel has been split 50/50, but I don't think this is fair as I'll have additional running costs plus a car with extremely high mileage.
Does anyone have any ideas how to split the costs more fairly?

Thanks

Use the HMRC approved mileage rates and split the costs that way, eg, 45ppm for the first 10,000 miles, 25ppm thereafter. These rates take into account not just petrol costs but cover the cost of running the car, ie, wear & tear, depreciation etc.

As above, is this a temporary situation, surely you not expecting to do this in the long term?

This seems the fairest and most logical solution, of they think that it's unfair they can use their car and charge you the sum. If you're both not keen then negotiate a sum in between.

Emmia

You need to be careful, if your colleague gives you money for the trips, then you could invalidate your insurance as your insurer might class you as a taxi...  I'd check very carefully before doing this.

angrycrow

Emmia said:

You need to be careful, if your colleague gives you money for the trips, then you could invalidate your insurance as your insurer might class you as a taxi...  I'd check very carefully before doing this.

Nope, every motor policy I have seen includes a section in the policy wording that it is perfectly acceptable to receive a contribution from co workers when car sharing for the commute providing it does not exceed the actual cost. So as long as op is not profiting all good. 

Worth noting though that op will need to ensure that they have business use on their policy with sufficient mileage allowance for these journeys. 

Weeg73

Thanks for the feedback, unfortunately this isn't a short term solution, my industry has been decimated as a consequence of COVID and there are no jobs available in my field and recovery is predicted to be 3-5 years. So, I think I'll be enduring this for a few years.
We get a £5k relocation allowance which will cover rent and fuel for about 9 months, but after that we're on our own with no expenses or allowances.
I can't reasonably use the £0.45 per mile HMRC allowance for the trip as that would amount to £340 per week when fuel costs are only £65. I'll suggest splitting running costs, services, tyres etc as the car will be used almost exclusively for this purpose as I can't face driving an extra mile at the weekend knowing I've got a 300 mile drive every Monday morning & Friday afternoon.

facade

You are going to need extra services, tyres, brake pads etc., and the car will lose extra value, which is where the 45p comes from.

However, if you tell him to walk, you'd still have to do all the mileage on your own, and you'd still have the same costs.

So, giving him a lift is saving him a fortune plus giving him a nice rest, but only saving you £32.50.

The best solution still seems to be to alternate cars & driving- you pay half his fuel, he pays half yours if you like, but really it is his fault if his car only does 15 mpg and your good luck that yours does 60 , then you don't have to be tired out from a 300 mile drive every week.

I'd stress the tiredness factor myself, just make sure he isn't insured to drive yours!

DUTR

Weeg73 said:

Hi,
I hope some of you may be able to offer some advice on my commuting situation.
I have just been redeployed by my company to avoid redundancy with one of my colleagues and we now have a 300 mile commute to work, plus a 30 mile daily drive when down there from digs to work and back. As my car has significantly better fuel economy my mate wants to use my car every week, which will add 35,000 miles to my car annually. So far fuel has been split 50/50, but I don't think this is fair as I'll have additional running costs plus a car with extremely high mileage.
Does anyone have any ideas how to split the costs more fairly?

Thanks

Erm, won't your colleague also be claiming the mileage allowance? The relocation package is to assist with moving home?
Also what happens when you take annual leave?