March 1st sees the launch of the new ‘17’ number plates and as such many businesses will be considering updating their company vehicles.
Here at NGI Finance we have several options to help you finance your commercial vehicles; including Hire Purchase Agreements, Finance Leasing or Contract Hire. Each option has several key benefits depending on the type of company you are, your monthly budget and whether you want to own the vehicle at the end of the finance agreement.
Hire Purchase offers a straightforward way to spread the cost of your new vehicle. You pay a fixed rate of interest and benefit from fixed monthly payments, making budgeting simple and easy. You choose the amount of deposit you wish to pay, typically between 5%-50% of the vehicle’s price and the remainder of the balance, together with the interest, is repaid over an agreed period (12-60 months).
Commercial Vehicle Finance Lease is a popular finance agreement for business users due to the significant tax advantages. With Finance Lease, you can choose to pay either the entire cost of the commercial vehicle, including interest charges, over an agreed lease period or opt to pay lower monthly rentals with a final deferred payment based on the anticipated resale value of the vehicle.
Finally, Contract Hire (or Operating Lease) is a funding method suitable for those companies and individuals registered for VAT as up to 100% of VAT can be reclaimed provided there is no element of personal use. If the vehicle is used personally then this figure drops to 50%. The vehicle is hired for an agreed period, usually between 12 and 60 months and a rental is paid based on a pre-agreed mileage. Contract Hire can also include a full maintenance package, including all wearable items such as tyres and brakes etc. At the end of the contract the commercial vehicle is simply returned to the finance company so alleviating any disposal hassles or depreciation risks. It is also important to note that up to 100% of rentals can be offset against taxable profits.
To help businesses further the Government allows you to claim capital allowances on vehicles that you buy and use in your business. Simply put this means that you can deduct some of its value from your profits before you pay your tax, depending on the CO2 emissions and the date on which you purchased the car. The GOV.UK website has useful information on the rates that you can claim here.
So if you are looking to upgrade to the new ‘17’ plate, speak to one of our advisers on 01993 706403 for further details about your funding options.