Are You Prepared For Cold Weather?

Wednesday, 26. November 2008

We look set to experience some pretty grim weather over the next few weeks as we move deeper into winter so the Highways Agency has issued warnings to motorists after considering research carried out by them which reveals that 50% of motorists would still continue with a journey after a severe weather warning has been issued and around a third would Read more »

New Euro Rules On Second Driving Licences

Tuesday, 25. November 2008

Since the introduction of free movement throughout Europe it has become possible for drivers to hold two driving licences at the same time, one from his country of origin and another, quite legally, issued in the country in which he now resides. This has led to a situation whereby a driver is convicted of an offence following which his Read more »

Major Leasing Company Withdraws From Small Companies

Monday, 24. November 2008

The leasing sector is starting to contract as was predicted in my newsletter a few weeks ago. GE Capital Solutions, number 8 in the top 50 leasing companies in the UK says it will no longer deal with fleets of less than 50 vehicles. The company says that it wants to concentrate its efforts in Read more »

Survey Shows Lease Cars Are Better Maintained Than Private Cars

Monday, 24. November 2008

 Lease cars are better maintained than privately owned cars – fact! Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions carried out a check on privately owned cars to see how well maintained they were and shockingly found that 88% were in need of attention. Whilst Hitachi admitted that some faults were somewhat minor there were a significant number that were more serious such as Read more »

How To Check The Carbon Footprint Of Every Trip

Saturday, 22. November 2008

I know that you are into saving the environment and concerned about your carbon footprint so you’ll be pleased to know that there is a great tool out there which enables you to calculate the carbon footprint of any trip that you make. The site to visit is www.travelfootprint.org When you use the website you can store your results and Read more »

Low Rates Mean Tough Credit Scoring

Friday, 21. November 2008

Times are getting tougher, I don’t need to tell you that but if you are considering changing your car you need to consider who is going to supply your finance if you are going to use someone off the internet. One of the latest problems faced by applicants is the tightening of underwriting by lenders. Missing a couple of credit card payments, something that would have been ignored by lenders a year ago, is enough for some lenders running short of money to turn their back on you. And if you think about it Read more »

Employers Could Run Big Risks By Allowing Employees To Use Own Cars

Thursday, 20. November 2008

Even in these enlightened times and a greater awareness of employer responsibilities when it comes to health and safety at work relating to those who drive a car on business, a recent survey revealed that a third of drivers opt for the cash alternative to a company car. This is so dangerous as drivers who need as much money as they can save to simply pay their household bills, Read more »

Dangers Of Using Online Brokers Highlighted By Professional Body

Tuesday, 18. November 2008

Following from my recent warnings about the use of some brokers that advertise on the Internet the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) have warned also that it is a big risk using a broker who is not accredited by one of the professional bodies. We are members of the NACFB and in addition to complying to a code of practice it is also a condition of membership Read more »

Drop In Used Car Prices Favour Car Leasing Rather Than Loans Or HP

Monday, 17. November 2008

CAP who provide vehicle valuation guides based on achieved auction prices have said that they are about to launch a significant downward price review based on the continued drop in prices achieved by fleet sellers in auction. This will have the affect of putting up lease rates unless the leasing companies can counter this with greater bonuses from the manufacturers. And be dismal news for those who Read more »

New Green Tax Regime Favours Big 4WD’s

Saturday, 15. November 2008

Good to see that Alphabet, the car leasing company, has spotted something in the new tax rules that are to come into force next April that I reported upon many weeks ago. Under the current rules you can only charge to profit a percentage of the monthly rental cost of a contract hire lease once the cost of the car exceeds ÂŁ12,000 up to a maximum of a 25% disallowance. This variable rate has now been replaced by Read more »