Working for council, using own car.

Scottish_Dorset

I work full-time for a council where I have to provide a car, which I use everyday for transporting people. I work full-time. I do get a petrol/car allowance, 45p for the first 10,000 miles and then 25p thereafter. I usually do around 12,500 mile per year for work.

My query is, when my car is due for a service, MOT, tyres or unexpected repair, I have been taking time off work, as part of my annual leave, to fit this in. Is this correct? Shouldn't I be able to have this done during work time as I have to provide the vehicle.

Myself and my colleagues are all in the same position.

Appreciate any suggestions or to hear from those in a similar position.

Thank you.

la531983

Take it somewhere that offers a courtesy car whilst the work is being done?

Scottish_Dorset

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997992#Comment_81997992

That could work for pre-planned work. But also, I have business use on my car insurance, don't know if this would be available with a courtesy car.

la531983

Or, get it done at the weekend. I have mine done on a Saturday.

MasterG83

I dont think you should have to use allocated to holiday to service or repair your car. You should inform your employer that you will be out at X because your car is due for an MOT

caprikid1

"My query is, when my car is due for a service, MOT, tyres or unexpected repair, I have been taking time off work, as part of my annual leave, to fit this in. Is this correct? Shouldn't I be able to have this done during work time as I have to provide the vehicle."

It's an interesting one, ultimately it's also used for private use also , all you can do is ask.

I would say that is a lot of mileage on a private car for business use, with the cost of petrol currently

Isthisforreal99

Your car would still need serviced, MoT'd etc whether you use it for business use or not so what exactly are you losing out on?

Plus, you have the added bonus that your employer is paying you the maximum tax-free mileage rates when many don't.

caprikid1

"Plus, you have the added bonus that your employer is paying you the maximum tax-free mileage rates when many don't."

Although, if you can get me a car with a mileage limit of 12,000 per annum including , fuel depreciation , insurance ,maintenance for c400 a month that would temped many so it's not a great deal !

subjecttocontract

So you get paid a mileage allowance of £5125 a year (based on 12500 business miles). You are probably spending less than half of that on fuel leaving over £2500 to cover tax, insurance, servicing, repairs. Seems quite a reasonable arrangement.

I certainly don't think you should have to use holiday entitlement to take your car in for repairs. Just tell the council your car is in the garage for work and unavailable on these dates. They will have to find you something to do when you are stuck in the office without your transport.

Grumpy_chap

Get the car serviced at the weekend

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998103#Comment_81998103

Exactly, not really sure why this is being over-complicated. If the OP worked a normal job, used car for commuting only, when would he or she normally get the car serviced?