Finance options
Business Contract Hire
How it works
The Contract Hire company calculates the residual value for the vehicle
based on the age, length of hire and the mileage it will be covering. They
charge the user a monthly rental to cover depreciation over that period
plus a funding charge, along with any add-on services required such as
maintenance. The user has no risk in ownership and has a predictable monthly
cost. The user effectively pays just for the use of the vehicle.
Popular with...
Companies who are VAT registered.
Risk
The funder assumes the risk of the residual value of the vehicle.
Advantages
• Low initial outlay
• The costs are predictable and risk-free
• The user has no risk of depreciation and disposal
• The vehicle is off balance sheet
• The rentals can be offset against the taxable profit
• The administration and management burden can be transferred to a third party
• Maintenance of the vehicle can be included as an option
• If the vehicle is used solely for business (i.e. pool car, commercial vehicle, daily rental) the user can reclaim 100% of the VAT on the rental. If it used for both business and pleasure, the user can reclaim 50% of the VAT on the finance element of the rental and 100% of the VAT on the maintenance
element if included
• The contract generally includes road fund licence at the current rate for the complete term of the agreement
Disadvantages
• It is costly to early terminate the agreement
• It is important to correctly assess your annual mileage as an excess mileage applies at the end of the agreement. It may however be possible to reschedule your mileage during the contract if you incorrectly estimate it, or your circumstances change.
Personal Contract Hire
How it works
Personal Contract Hire (PCH) gives the user a fixed equal monthly rental for a fixed contract term and mileage. At the end of the contract the vehicle is simply handed back.
Popular with...
Company car drivers who are given a car or mileage allowance instead of company vehicle. It allows the individual to make his/her own choice and arrangements. This will avoid benefit-in-kind taxation.
Risk
The funder assumes the risk of the residual value of the vehicle.
Advantages
• Low initial outlay
• More tax-effective than a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) if the vehicle
is used partly for business use
• The contract is not subject to a final balloon payment
• The contract generally includes road fund licence at the current rate
for the complete term of the agreement
• Maintenance of the vehicle can be included as an option
Disadvantages
• It is costly to early terminate the agreement
• It is important to correctly assess your annual mileage as an excess mileage applies at the end of the agreement. It may however be possible to reschedule your mileage during the contract if you incorrectly estimate it, or your circumstances change.
Personal Contract Purchase
How it works
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is like a lease purchase agreement (an
HP agreement with a balloon) but where the driver has various options
at the end of the agreement. He/she can either return the vehicle or
pay the balloon payment and keep or sell the vehicle. The balloon payment
relates to the anticipated value of the vehicle at the end of the term
based on the mileage set at the start of the contract. This end value
is known as the guaranteed minimum or future end value (GMEV or GFEV).
Popular with...
People who like to change their cars on a regular basis and who like to
have a guaranteed value. This has been particularly useful with the unsettled
market.
Risk
The individual can have the option to buy the vehicle without assuming
any residual value.
Advantages
• Low initial outlay
• The individual has the option to either purchase or return the vehicle
at the end of the contract
• The contract can be determined at any time subject to payment of the
settlement figure
• Maintenance of the vehicle can be included as an option
Disadvantages
• PCP is not as tax-effective compared with Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
if used for buinsess
• It is important to correctly assess your annual mileage as an excess
mileage applies at the end of the agreement. It may however be possible to reschedule
your mileage during the contract if you incorrectly estimate it, or your
circumstances change
Summary
PCP is becoming more and more popular with people looking at their tax
liabilites in relation to company motor vehicles, and people who previously
purchased vehicles using the traditional HP method.