What Should You Be Looking For In A Company Car?

Negotiating a company car is often a step up from just a payment increase between promotions, although that’s quite nice too. Cars are often a reflection of their owners, which is of course why certain brands hold a prestige and people buy them. It’s hard not to look cool in a modern Aston Martin.

However, practicality is of course at the top of the list when it comes to gaining a company car from your employer, or even buying one for yourself as a milestone in your business success. Unless you’re James Bond or the head of an international company, then a fully-fitted AM is probably not on the cards.

That doesn’t mean you can’t try and get the best possible vehicle through good discernment or firm negotiation. To do that, you have to know what to look for, what would suit your purposes best, and of course the budget you’re willing to work within. Now, this will also highly depend on the kind of work you’re in. A gardener for a large institution is probably best suited with a utility van as opposed to a sleek sedan. Regardless, consider these principles to make your best choice:

Compare Different Company Car Options Before Choosing

Your company might present you with a shortlist of approved vehicles, but that doesn’t mean you have to pick the first one that catches your eye. It’s worth taking time to compare what’s on offer because the differences can be pretty major, for instance, one model might have better fuel economy, but another could give you more cargo space or comfort features that’ll make any long drives more bearable.

If you’re lucky enough to have multiple options, consider creating a simple pros and cons list for each vehicle. Think about your daily routine and which features are best, for instance, if you’re allowed to drive this for personal use and if you have a family to keep safe in it. For example, a sunroof might look appealing, but if you’re mostly driving in business attire during daylight hours, heated seats could be far more practical in your colder climate.

Match The Vehicle To Your Work Needs

There’s no point having a sports car if you’re constantly carrying equipment around, just like a massive SUV doesn’t make sense if you’re mainly doing city driving with occasional client meetings, so take an honest look at what your workday mostly involves and choose accordingly.

If you’re usually transporting colleagues or clients that are affluent, for instance, rear seat comfort and an impressive sleek body is likely a a good shout, but if you’re covering large territories with lots of motorway driving, cruise control and a comfortable driving position matter more than any image or prestige. It might also help to keep a mental note of your driving patterns for a week or two before making your decision, should you have time for it.

For professionals in electrical services, having a vehicle that can safely store and organize tools is crucial. Installing electrician van shelving can allow electricians to keep their tools and materials secure, organized, and easily accessible, improving efficiency and reducing time wasted searching for equipment on the job.

In Fuel Efficiency & Running Costs

A cool, powerful engine will no doubt feel great on any test drives you have, but you’ll be less enthusiastic when you’re filling up twice as often as necessary and it’s on your expense, or if your company provided fuel card is being drained within two weeks of the month. You don’t need us to tell you fuel is expensive, so no matter what car you’re buying or when, it’s essential to try and be practical with your fuel costs.

Also remember that some cars, especially high-end saloon cars or those from the more prestige brands, will need more expensive fuel like unleaded. Premium fuel of that nature can bump up your running costs massively because of that, and some vehicles are very expensive to service in line with it. A salary sacrifice a car arrangement often makes these considerations more important because the total cost of ownership affects your take-home pay too, so be sure to remain wise about that.

Ask About Maintenance And Insurance Coverage

It’s true that when a company car is given, most employers handle the big payment requirements like major repairs and servicing, but the smaller details can vary quite a bit between companies.

It’s probably wise, then, to ask about provisions like tire replacements, scratches, or general wear-and-tear items before you sign anything. You don’t want to find out six months later that you’re personally responsible for oil changes between services, or that emergency roadside assistance isn’t included when you’re broken down and have to pay out of pocket to sort it. Insurance coverage is another area where the details like this need to be perfectly clear, and that goes tenfold regarding excess payments and what happens if something goes wrong during personal use.

Negotiate For Upgrades Within Reason

Companies often have a bit of wiggle room around vehicle specifications, particularly if you can come up with a decent business reason for wanting certain features. But what could that involve? Well, safety equipment, navigation, or certain comfort features are usually best, for instance, if you have orthopaedic needs you may be able to gain a car with better seating or accessibility measures.

You could mention that features will help your productivity or professional image when you’re meeting clients, for instance, bluetooth connectivity is a good example because it lets you take hands-free calls during travel time. Just don’t go overboard pushing for expensive options, this isn’t a gift after all or a won competition, the car needs to measurably improve your time as an employee.

Think About Long-Term Resale Or Lease Value

If buying for your own company, the financial side of your vehicle choice does matter for obvious reasons, as it’s a business asset. But it also applies to your compensation package. For example, cars with better residual values often work out cheaper over the lease period, which might give you more room to negotiate for other benefits or a higher-spec model. It can’t hurt to ask. With this advice, you’ll be sure to look for a better company car and no doubt ensure a more worthwhile outcome on the road.