Reply to: Changed working site, urgently need car for 3 months

[SueEllen]

Why bring Ed Balls into this?

Ed Balls was doing what motorists do in London especially if they are delivery drivers of any sort. Like some of them he was too thick to realise certain vehicles attract attention and can be traced.

[DiscoStu]

For this to work he'd have to go to his original site, pick up the car from there and drive that to his new site and back every day.

I had to do this for 6 months (While in FTE) when I was seconded into a role that required a company car, but without the payrise (and security to sell my own car) it was better to use a pool car instead.

I had a similar situation years ago with a previous employer. They decided I didn't need a company car as it wasn't going to be long term so got me a hire car. Two years and seven hire cars (they were from Hertz so I had to give them back before they hit 10k miles) later they still weren't ready to give me a company car

[vwdan]

Why? If they're being used for business purposes only there is no BIK. I've never worked anywhere with a pool car where it was available for personal use.

For this to work he'd have to go to his original site, pick up the car from there and drive that to his new site and back every day.

I had to do this for 6 months (While in FTE) when I was seconded into a role that required a company car, but without the payrise (and security to sell my own car) it was better to use a pool car instead.

[tractor]

...

OP lives in London and doesn't have a car now so obviously doesn't really need one.

I expect after the end of this contract the car will spend 90% of the time sitting on the road near/outside their dwelling. When s/he does bother using it i.e. to the supermarket/DIY store/whereever in London s/he will find there are idiots who will scrap the paint work or drive into their parked car then drive off leaving damage.

Why bring Ed Balls into this?

[DiscoStu]

Employees having regular use of pool cars are likely to be assessed for benefit in kind. It follows that IR35 status also could be seriously compromised in similar circumstances.

Why? If they're being used for business purposes only there is no BIK. I've never worked anywhere with a pool car where it was available for personal use.

[quackhandle]

I Think the OP would be better off with Drivethedeal.com or carfile.

From
Buy a new car

The secret is to use one of the long-established car brokers that put buyers in touch with dealers who have cars they want to shift in significant volumes in a bid to grab sales bonuses. Drivethedeal.com, which has been in business for 18 years, is one of the biggest names in this area. Carfile.co.uk is another long-established broker, and there are many others also vying to offer the best deals.

Drivethedeal's sales manager, Andy Blackmoor, says the savings can be so good that he can often supply a brand new model for less than local dealers will charge for a one-year model with 5,000 miles on the clock.

Buyers using the site input the car they want, and stipulate any extras such as metallic paint, and the firm then matches the buyer to a dealer looking to do a deal. The supplying dealer could be at the other end of the country – but you get the exact same, brand new car you would have got from your local dealer. You pay a £500 deposit direct to the selling agent, and the balance on the day of collection or delivery.

I was mainly coming from the used market angle since OP only wanted a car for three months as opposed to a new car.

qh

[NickNick]

And so is autotrader.

qh

I Think the OP would be better off with Drivethedeal.com or carfile.

From
Buy a new car

The secret is to use one of the long-established car brokers that put buyers in touch with dealers who have cars they want to shift in significant volumes in a bid to grab sales bonuses. Drivethedeal.com, which has been in business for 18 years, is one of the biggest names in this area. Carfile.co.uk is another long-established broker, and there are many others also vying to offer the best deals.

Drivethedeal's sales manager, Andy Blackmoor, says the savings can be so good that he can often supply a brand new model for less than local dealers will charge for a one-year model with 5,000 miles on the clock.

Buyers using the site input the car they want, and stipulate any extras such as metallic paint, and the firm then matches the buyer to a dealer looking to do a deal. The supplying dealer could be at the other end of the country – but you get the exact same, brand new car you would have got from your local dealer. You pay a £500 deposit direct to the selling agent, and the balance on the day of collection or delivery.

[Taita]

Rubbish. I've worked at a number of clients who wanted contractors to go to another site and gave them a pool car to go there.

And judging by the post I've read here recently, the 'no difference' argument would cover the IR35 implications.

But as I said, I would use to simply refuse to go and if they wanted to terminate, good for them.

Employees having regular use of pool cars are likely to be assessed for benefit in kind. It follows that IR35 status also could be seriously compromised in similar circumstances.

[BolshieBastard]

No way will that work. Only employees are allowed to drive company cars and even if they get round it your IR35 status would be trashed. Terrible idea IMO.

Rubbish. I've worked at a number of clients who wanted contractors to go to another site and gave them a pool car to go there.

And judging by the post I've read here recently, the 'no difference' argument would cover the IR35 implications.

But as I said, I would simply refuse to go and if they wanted to terminate, good for them.

[northernladuk]

No way will that work. Only employees are allowed to drive company cars and even if they get round it your IR35 status would be trashed. Terrible idea IMO.

[BolshieBastard]

Tell your client if they want you to work at a different location for 3 months, they have to provide you transport ie a pool car.

You really dont want to be messing with buying a car for 3 months. You'll have breakdown membership, VED and insurance to sort out so it isnt just the cost of the car.

Personally, I'd have told them no way.

[SpontaneousOrder]

OP lives in London and doesn't have a car now so obviously doesn't really need one.

I expect after the end of this contract the car will spend 90% of the time sitting on the road near/outside their dwelling. When s/he does bother using it i.e. to the supermarket/DIY store/whereever in London s/he will find there are idiots who will scrap the paint work or drive into their parked car then drive off leaving damage.

That's precisely why he needs to buy a brand new one with the optional extra battering ram.

[SueEllen]

An year old A3 sportback costs more than brand new one (Online sites gives £3k discount)

Get an older one see the above post.

[SueEllen]

Unless you want to configure it how you like.

OP lives in London and doesn't have a car now so obviously doesn't really need one.

I expect after the end of this contract the car will spend 90% of the time sitting on the road near/outside their dwelling. When s/he does bother using it i.e. to the supermarket/DIY store/whereever in London s/he will find there are idiots who will scrap the paint work or drive into their parked car then drive off leaving damage.

[quackhandle]

eBay is your friend.

And so is autotrader.

qh