A NEIGHBOUR of mine contacted me today for advice on the offer he had been made. A cash for car allowance of £4000 per annum plus 40p per mile for all business mileage; or a company Volkswagen Golf or Honda Civic.
As he’s likely to be asked to travel some 500 miles per week on company business I think there’s little question which way he should go: it has to be a company car.
At that mileage, the punishment on his personal car on behalf of his company would be enormous: and what would happen when his car possibly needed repair and yet he had to attend a meeting? The answer: a daily rental car – but the cost of the daily rental car would be coming out of his pocket, not the company’s.
As to a Golf or a Civic as the business car. The Golf is newer, and the more complete all-rounder. You wouldn’t go wrong. If you want something more futuristic, more adventurous, then the Civic sounds tempting, especially with the rocketship diesel under the bonnet.
The cash v car question is something many business car drivers face. If you’re thinking about it, our experts have a very good piece in our Ask the experts section, which is well worth a look: Should I take the car or cash?. It’s where I pointed my neighbour.
Business Car Manager: Editor’s Blog