Shopping for a company car is different to shopping for a personal car. There are likely to be different factors to consider that could affect which vehicle is most practical. Below are just some of the questions to ask yourself to help you find the ultimate company car.
Where will you drive it?
Different vehicles are better suited to different environments. If you’re going to be driving in lots of rural locations, a car with a fair amount of ground clearance and a good suspension could be necessary. If you’re going to be driving mainly around cities, you may want something small that can get into tinier spaces and potentially something green so that you can take advantage of low emission incentives. This guide at Autocar delves more into some of the best city cars.
How often will you drive it?
If you’re going to be driving long distances regularly, it could be essential that you choose a vehicle that’s fuel efficient. You’re probably going to want something relatively new too as you’ll quickly rack up mileage (an older car could quickly start to experience more wear and tear). For vehicles that are driven less frequently, fuel economy and mileage may not be as much of a concern.
How much storage/passenger space do you need?
A tiny car is all well and good if you don’t need to transport any passengers or equipment. However, if you’re going to be taxiing multiple passengers around or carrying bulky tools/cargo, something bigger could be necessary. Obviously, if you need to transport a lot of passengers or items, then you may want to consider something bigger than a car such as a pickup truck, a van or a minibus. Tradespeople typically benefit from a van instead of a car because of the superior storage space.
What type of company image do you want to portray?
Something luxurious like a Bentley may instil confidence if you’re working with very wealthy and renowned clients. However, if you’re serving everyday people in their homes, an expensive vehicle may not create a good impression – potentially suggesting to customers that you overcharge. In almost all cases, a vehicle in good condition is important. Buying from a reputable dealership like Edmunds could help you to find a top quality vehicle. Avoid buying an old damaged vehicle from a private seller as it could suggest that your company is outdated and unprofessional.
How much can you afford to spend?
Your business will have a strict budget to work within. It’s important that you factor in the purchase cost and all the running costs. Beyond fuel economy, consider how much commercial vehicle insurance will cost you – this can vary from model to model. If you haven’t got a lot of money upfront and don’t want to buy a car on finance, leasing a vehicle could be an option. Of course, if you need to make permanent modifications to a vehicle, you will need to buy a car instead of leasing (fortunately things like vinyl wraps are not permanent, and are permitted by many car lease contracts).
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