Welcome to Business Car Manager

Car brokers – the bad ones – have left the industry with a poor image. But good car brokers provide useful help and advice to small businesses. The gold standard for brokers is BVRLA approval. This accreditation marks out those brokers as trusted business car advisers. So it comes as excellent news that the Network franchise, the biggest in the UK, must have the gold standard from January. For small businesses and the self-employed that can only mean better service and more choice. And if you don’t know what a car broker can do for you, then read our What is a car leasing broker? Advice Centre article.

Running business cars can sometimes be a headache: choosing how to fund them; paying the running costs; ensuring they’re fit for purpose. But it’s particularly important to stay ahead of the health and safety game – because there’s new legislation that’s directed at business managers who don’t take health and safety seriously. But the prospect of a two-year stretch and a £20k fine looks likely to change that mindset. Finally, we have a new suite of pdf downloads in our Advice Centre. Go to our Downloads for more.

Ralph Morton - editor

HEADLINE NEWS

Better deal from Network car brokers

Small businesses can get guaranteed service from more car brokers now. The 200 strong Network broker group must all be BVRLA-approved from January 2009.

ALSO IN THE NEWS

Low business car tax for stylish Audi A5 coupe

The Audi A5 has a new low tax addition to the range: a 170PS 2.0-litre diesel. With a tax band of just 19%, the A5 promises all the style for less money.

New H&S law targets directors with £20k fine

Business owners and company directors need to be aware of a new law that’s gained Royal Assent. If you transgress health & safety legislation, expect a hefty fine.

Stop-Start tech for Volkswagen Passat

VW’s latest Passat features Bluemotion 2 technology: a 2.0 engine with stop-start that lowers emissions, improves mpg and has an 18% business car tax band.

ROAD TESTS

Road test: low tax Ford Mondeo ECOnetic

This is Ford’s answer to the VW Passat Bluemotion 2: an economical and low emission version of the Mondeo. Sam Hardy assesses the new Mondeo ECOnetic.

Road test: hot-shot family MPV

Here’s an MPV that’s forgotten it should be a grown up: the SEAT Altea Freetrack. Editor Ralph Morton takes a ride in the Golf GTI of MPV family cars.

ADVICE CENTRE

Has an employee put our business at risk?

A reader is after our experts’ advice: a driver failed to stop at a minor accident. Is the company open to prosecution? Legal expert Sean Joyce provides the answer.

Business Car Manager Ltd, 95 Station Road, Hampton, Middx TW12 2BD. Registered as a company in England and Wales 5581943, and a member of the Federation of Small Businesses.