Company car - but not used by me

[tequilamock]

I am about to accept a new job that offers a copmany car. However, I wish to use my own AWD and have my wife use the company car. I haven't asked the company about this yet, but wondered if any of you knew of the possibilities of this?

[murraymints]

there will be insurance complications as your co will have blanket insurance for it's cars and eployees...probaby ! Ask !

[buildersmate]

You'd be more likely to succeed with this by asking for a car allowance instead of an actual car, then you can choose how you work it.

[mccfluff]

we wouldn;t allow it, insurance and the mileage rate we would have to pay. i would talk to them though as the may offer an opt out scheme

[Trotbot]

You would also get hammered on the tax, which depends on how much you use the car on company business (the more you use it, the lower the tax). If end up paying the highest rate, it gets expensive.

[tequilamock]

Thanks all. Will check with them.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Not true anymore, trotbot. The 18k mileage scheme went out a long time ago. Tax is paid based on CO2 emissions. The lower the CO2 the lower the tax rate. For example a car emitting less than 120g CO2 would be attract a taxable value of 10% of list price (diesel cars are 3% more) plus there is the question of fuel provided which is no perk these days. Back to the subject matter - our company would not allow the spaouse to use the car full time, you would have to opt out and take an allowance depending on your grade within the company.

[roxie_09]

my boyfriend has a company car and spouses are allowed to drive it aslong as over 25 (due to insurance issues). i dont know if this is because he works for a car company or not though and whether it changes depending on company policy

[McMouse]

Check out company policy on spouse driving car and insurance status. You'll still be liable for the tax though.

[Davethedog]

I think some people are confused by a company vehicle that is used for private milage and a company car.

Roxie has it right. A company car is a perk and as such it is yours for the duration, your car fleet manager will advise you but there shouldn't be any problem letting your wife drive. Two points

1) I would look at the tax implications, it may be cheaper to just get a private car. remember apart from tax there are no other overheads.

2) You will be asked what milage you expect to do, make sure that any penalties for going over it will be paid by the company.

[factor-fiction]

For once eddie51, I disagree with you- an employer can provide a car that is for purely personal use. I had one and know someone who still has one that they never use on business - it's just a taxable benefit. And I know company car provision schemes that do allow spouses sons and daughters to drive the car

[Whoever]

Another thing to beware of is that if you drive a company car for a number of years without accident and then return to driving a privately owned car, you may not be able to transfer any No Claims Bonus you have earned back onto your private car insurance. Sometimes the insurer of a company fleet will give you a certificate of no claims but I've heard of many cases where they won't. In that case you'll have to build up your no claims history from scratch again..

[cathfromsaron]

why put miles on your own car/tyres/engine/oil when you could be using a company car?
spouses may be covered for journeys ... supposing they were taking you to the station or airport on business ... so it may be worth checking, but still ... i wouldn't!