Author:

Robin Roberts

Research undertaken by Auto Styling Truckman has revealed that the addition of a hard top accessory to a pick-up truck adds value to the vehicle for resale. 

Respected industry journal Glass’s Motoring Guide has confirmed that having a hard top fitted would definitely increase a vehicle’s value. Along with the improved ‘curb appeal’ and increased versatility of modern pick-up trucks fitted with hard tops, added financial value to the lifespan of the vehicle offers a further significant benefit to owners.

The iconic range of Truckman hard tops has been specifically-designed to support buyers of pick-up trucks who want their vehicle to have a more flexible and secure load space.

The vehicles also have attractive tax status for employers and employees and the new, more stylish, generation of pick-ups is becoming increasing attractive for business users and the self-employed.

All Pickup Trucks, even if fitted with a hardtop, are classed as light commercial vehicles (LCV’s).  Employees that have unrestricted private use of a pickup truck have a fixed, but lower ‘Benefit in Kind’ (BIK) liability than a normal car because the pick-up truck is classed as a Light Commercial Vehicle.

Auto Styling Truckman offers a comprehensive selection of hard tops from its West Midlands-based factory including those from the iconic Truckman range. The company’s hard tops are designed for both commercial and private vehicle applications from £950 plus vat.

Mike Wheeler, Managing Director of Auto Styling Truckman (right), said: “Fitting a hard top is not only an excellent way to enhance the look and features of a pick-up truck, but also tackle a proportion of vehicle depreciation.”

“The information from Glass’s Guide further enhances the benefits of fitting a hard top.  In addition to the versatility a hard top brings through security, safety and added curb appeal, increasing resale value is great news for pick-up truck owners.”

Pick- up truck tax facts:

All Pickup Trucks, even if fitted with a hardtop, are classed as light commercial vehicles (LCV’s).

• Employees that have unrestricted private use of a pickup truck have a fixed but lower ‘Benefit in Kind’ (BIK) liability than a normal car because the pick-up truck is classed as a Light Commercial Vehicle.
• As with BIK, Class 1A National Insurance Contributions are considerably reduced on a Light Commercial Vehicle compared with a passenger car.
• For VAT registered businesses Light Commercial Vehicles qualify for a VAT reclaim subject to the vehicle being used for business purposes. The percentage of VAT reclaimable is dependent upon the extent to which the vehicle is to be used for business purposes.
• Vehicle Excise Duty on all Pickup Trucks is at a standard rate of £180 per annum, irrespective of their CO2 emissions.

NB As tax liability can vary according to circumstances Auto Styling Truckman recommends that customers check with professional advisers to ensure the correct claims are made.

Keep up to date with the latest cv news and advice in our company car policy section and company van tax guide is very useful.