By Matthew Tumbridge, editor of Used Car Expert

BUYING a used car for business makes sense for small companies.

Especially if it’s nearly new.

Without the buying power that comes from a larger fleet, obtaining worthwhile discounts on new cars from your local dealer is difficult. So buying used is a good option.

The phrase ‘used car’ can make an employer seem at best mean and at worst cavalier about staff safety. But with prudent acquisition there need be no compromise on quality or safety.

The importance of ensuring your business provides reliable, safe cars for staff cannot be understated, even it is a used business car.

Overlook aesthetics at your peril too; where company cars are used by a sales force, they are a part of the company image.

If staff have personal use of the vehicle, then a poor choice of car will have a surprisingly negative impact on morale.

Successfully buying used cars for business is all about striking a balance. Follow these seven steps and you will find that balance.

Eight steps to buying the right used business car

• Buy one to two year old cars and keep them until their third birthday. Staff won’t like having to MoT their cars. And this way they get a ‘new car’ every 18 months.

• strong>Don’t buy privately or from small dealers – it is too time consuming and quality varies too much. Avoid franchised dealers because the savings are not usually sufficient.

• Buy from good quality auctions (such as BCA), or the car rental companies who have massive stocks of nearly new, quality cars to dispose of. Both sources sell cars in ‘as new’ condition.

• Invest in warranties, breakdown recovery protection and even maintenance and repair insurance as required to create the same benefits and security of a new car.

• Don’t buy any controversial ‘love/hate’ cars like VW Beetles unless the image fits. Have a policy of buying mainstream vehicles, in mainstream colours and stick to it.

• Don’t let staff get involved in specifications or colours. Buying used has less flexibility and once one person has influenced the car choice, everyone will want their say.

• Make a date when you will sell the car. And put the car into a reputable auction at a sensible reserve price to ensure a quick sale and return of capital.
• Do a background check on the car. There are plenty of cheap online services to do a car check like www.freecarcheck.co.uk, where for a small fee you can find out if the car has any hidden details such as finance, write offs and more.
  Link: “www.freecarcheck.co.uk” to https://www.freecarcheck.co.uk

Further information

• Matthew Tumbridge is editor of www.usedcarexpert.co.uk.

• If you want more advice on the best way to sell your car, then read the Business Car Manager Advice Centre article here www.businessmotoring.co.uk.