Starting a new job next week and I get a company car. Never had a company car before. I haven't yet approached the question of getting a tow bar fitted and was wondering what employers generally do.
So can any company car drivers tell me- did your employer pay for it? did they let you pay for it? did they insist it was caried out by the franchise dealer for the warranty cover (which will cost a fortune!). Anybody been refused by their employer?
my husband had a company car for a few years till 2 years ago...he had to get permission from boss and then had to pay for it him self....never had any problems
------------- Oct 2013- south lytchett manor dorset
Feb 2014- Lady Heyes
April 2014- Jasmine Park
May 2014 - Jasmine Park Again....
July 2014 - Gwithian
Oct 2014 - Beverley Park
A company I worked for a few years ago had 3 sales reps to which one of them was a keen caravanner. However, the company had no problems with him having a towbar fitted to the company car providing that he adhered to the companies terms and conditions which were that the towbar was installed professionally for insurance purposes and removed again at the end of the lease to which the he was responsilble for the cost as it was in the interest of the employee and and not that of the company. Basically each company has their own set of rules regarding this so the only way to find out is to ask what the company's specific policy is on having a towbar fitted to one of their fleet cars.
As above really, most company cars are leased and they seem fine with tow bars as long as they are professionally fitted.
Always ask first and you will be expected to pay for fitting and removal.
Another point to ask is about towing abroad and insurance etc
Yep no problem with towbars on company cars, I have been driving a company car since 1985 and worked for various firms since then, and all have said OK.
Just make sure you get a pukka firm to fit, and use a proper dedicated cam-bus wiring system, not the relay lash up type.
Also ensure you retain the behind bumper bar that the towbar replaces, especially if you intend to put the towbar onto your next company car.
we had no problems same as other members until they changed the cars to the new focus econectic ?? which you can't tow with.Our holiday mates are left with a caravan on their drive they can't tow.We are lucky we will get an auto so can still tow (o/h has a dodgey knee !)
If the towbar is a factory fit the retail price of the car will be increased and the BIK will increase so you will pay a bit more income tax as the value on the P11D( this is the form submitted to HMRC by your employer) will show the full retail price including any accessories (metallic paint etc). Income tax is based on the full retail price of the car not what is actually paid and is related to CO2 emissions, diesel engined cars have a 3% supplement added
Although this is an old post, there are now some usefull website's, that will calculate the addition of towbar for BIK tax on company cars.
For the company car that I drive (VW Golf 1.6 TDi 5 Door Hatch) the additional tax to be paid is around £3 per month, we keep the cars for two years (60k miles).
So the total cost works out at £72 for having the benifit of a tow bar for two years, the VW price for the towbar as a factory fit option is £700.
Unfortunately the firm I work will not let me have the above option, although they do give me permission to have a towbar retrospectively fitted, the downside is that I have to fork out £400 or so every two years!
And of course I have to return the car with the tow bar fitted, when the car is changed over.
Could be worse though as the firm did offer to have the towbar fitted for me by the supplying car dealer, and send me the bill for £800.
Naturally I always decline my firms not so kind offer, and have my towbar fitted locally by an approved VW towbar fitting company.
The only other headache is getting hold of a copy of the V5 document, so that I can get plates made up for the Bike carrier and Trailer, but that's another story!
To be fair Bessie I need the VE103B document in anycase for when we go to France, and I am told that the VE103B doc can be used instead of the V5.
The problem I have is that the person in our office seems to know little about such things, although they do manage a fleet of around 100 cars!
I have been with the firm over 12 years, and on the first year of asking if I could take the car over to France, I was told that I would need to take out my own continental insurance.
Of course I new that info was incorrect, as VW Leasing, provided me with a continental travel pack, which also included cover for my tent and trailer along with cover for the car of course.
My modus operandi is to ask the said person in the office for the doc's that I need, that request normally lands on deaf ears.
So I leave it a month, then go direct to the lease company (VW Leasing), who are always very good, and send me any documents immediately, in fact I can't praise them enough.
Of course when I take such action, a few emails and phone calls get going.
As it is seen as me going above the head of the person who is paid to look after the fleet.
It's all politics of course, and some firms are better than others.
I would not wan't to order number plates of the Internet, as my friend owns a car accessories shop, and is happy to produce for me 3 rear number plates at mates rates, and ones that do not de-laminate after a few months.
Oh the joy's of being a company car driver, thankfully the pros outweigh the cons.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Company cars and tow bars
