Finance
Options Expained
Click on the relevant finance options below to give you detailed information.
Finance
Lease
Finance Lease is a VAT free method of financing a vehicle, normally for
VAT registered businesses or companies. The monthly rental is determined
by the cost of the vehicle, the period and the estimated future value
of the vehicle which is based on the proposed annual mileage.
A payment equivalent to the estimated future
value is payable at the end of the contract. At the end of the contract
period, the vehicle is sold and the proceeds returned to the Lessee. Maintenance
packages are often available, if required.
There are 2 options that can be taken when
opting for the finance lease method. They are:
- Pay the entire cost - the cost of the vehicle and interest
payments can be paid in monthly installments over the period of the
lease agreement.
- Make deferred payments - lower the cost of the monthly
installments by making deferred payments and opting to make a balloon
payment at the end of the lease agreement.
You should keep in mind the fact that you will never take ownership of
the vehicle as the balloon payment must be paid to the finance company
and the car or van must be sold to a third party.
The main benefits of finance lease are:
- Low monthly costs and low initial outlay.
- 50% of the VAT payments can be reclaimed.
- Hire Rental Tax Allowances can be applied for.
- Adding another asset on to the balance sheet.
- Equity in the proceeds of the vehicles sale.
Finance Lease is a fixed-term finance method
that will show the vehicles as an asset on a companies balance sheet.
Top
Lease
Purchase
Lease Purchase is an agreement where ownership of the car is transferred
to the customer at the end of the contract, subject to all terms and conditions
being met. Monthly instalments are calculated taking into consideration
the cost of the car, initial rental amount, length of contract, and the
final balloon payment.
Lease Purchase is well suited for companies
who would like to retain the car at the end of the contract as a company
asset.
Customers can show the vehicle as a balance
sheet item they can then write down the value against taxable profits
and claim capital allowances. Lease purchase provides for a balloon payment
that is normally equivalent to the projected market cost of the car at
end of the contract. The VAT cannot be recovered on the purchase price
of the car
Ownership, maintenance and disposal risks
remain with the customer during the length of the contract.
Top
Contract
Purchase
This method of funding is ideal for companies who cannot fully reclaim
the VAT and is particularly suitable for financing the more expensive
cars.
It was introduced to alleviate the burden
on companies who were unable to reclaim the VAT on their monthly payments,
and to overcome the cost of the Corporation Tax implications for cars
costing over £12,000.
The Main difference between Contract Purchase
and Contract Hire is that you have the opportunity to buy the vehicle
at the end of the contract period. You will be faced with paying a 'balloon
payment' at the end of the contract, you then become the legal owner or
alternatively you can return the vehicle to Platinum.
If your company is restricted in the amount
of VAT it is able to reclaim, or you have several expensive (typically
in excess of £25k) cars in your fleet, it may make financial sense
to retain ownership of your vehicles. This, however, exposes your business
to all of the risks inherent in administering, maintaining and particularly
disposing of a fleet.
Contract Purchase offers all the operational,
managerial and administrative benefits of Contract Hire, together with
the tax-efficient benefits of ownership, such as the ability to claim
capital allowances.
- Your company enters into a finance agreement for the
vehicle for a pre-determined period at a fixed monthly rate.
- You have the option to buy the vehicle when the contract
is up by making a final 'balloon' payment, agreed at the start of
the term. Alternatively you can return the vehicle to us, with nothing
further to pay, subject to return conditions being met
- The single, fixed monthly payment takes into account
the cost of the car, its rate of depreciation, the length of the contract,
mileage and any additional services you may wish to build in.
- The majority of our customers choose to include maintenance
cover, with full AA breakdown and recovery service.
Top
Business
Contract Hire
Release Capital - If you are currently purchasing your
vehicles through your own funding, you are inadvertently tying up a valuable
proportion of your company’s financial resources. Contract Hire
releases these funds for more profitable use.
Accurate Budgeting -
With Contract Hire, all costs are calculated by experts and built into
a fixed monthly payment. Vehicle costs can be forecast accurately for
up to five years. Paperwork is almost eliminated and budgets tightly controlled.
Tackles Depreciation -
Owing to our buying power, we can purchase vehicles at cheaper rates.
Efficient vehicle disposal always enables Platinum to accurately assess
resale values. Only the minimum depreciation is passed on to our customers,
resulting in realistic rentals.
Improves Cash Flow - Contract
Hire will improve your company's cash flow through low initial outlay.
Freedom of Choice - We can supply all makes of cars and vans at competitive
Contract Hire rates. You choose the model, colour, specification and extras
to suit you. We offer expert and unbiased advice on all makes and models
that might meet your needs and budget.
Off Balance Sheet Funding
- Contract Hire is classed as an operating lease, which means
that the vehicles do not show as depreciating items on your balance sheet.
Rentals are classed as a revenue expense and are shown in the profit and
loss account.
Reduces Administration -
Are your management and staff currently weighed down with time-consuming
vehicle administration? Contract Hire releases them from this burden,
so they can achieve more profitable objectives. Contract Hire significantly
reduces paperwork. The Road fund licence is supplied and renewed automatically.
Enhances Company Image -
With Contract Hire you will always have modern and presentable vehicles.
Contract Hire will also give you a disciplined replacement program. Remember,
your competitors may already be enjoying these benefits!
VAT Benefits - Contract
Hire has many VAT benefits. Platinum can reclaim the VAT on the purchase
price of the vehicle and pass on this benefit to our customers. Also,
once the vehicle is on the road, you can claim back 50% of the VAT on
the finance element (if the vehicle is available for personal use or 100%
if only available for business use) and 100% of the VAT on the maintenance
element of the rental payments.
Mileage & Maintenance
Reviews - Platinum can provide annual mileage reviews as part
of our service to you. This enables us to identify if any of your vehicles
are over or under contract mileage. We can then advise you whether it
is possible to re-contract mileages prior to the end of the contract.
This minimises any excess mileage charges.
Special Benefits for Larger
Fleets - For customers that have more than 10 vehicles or more
we are able set up a Pooled Mileage Agreement. This means Contract Hire
terminations that are over contract mileage can be offset against contracts
terminating under contract mileage.
Peace of Mind -
With monthly payments fixed over the entire contract period and a range
of optional extras, Contract Hire takes away the worry and trouble of
managing your company’s cars and vans.
A Selection of Cost Options
- Breakdown recovery service, including home start and relay
Replacement vehicle for mechanical breakdowns or accidents.
Routine maintenance and unscheduled mechanical repairs including replacement
tyres, batteries and exhausts.
Top
Personal
Contract Purchase (PCP)
The major benefit of Personal Contract Purchase is that there is an opportunity
for you to purchase the vehicle at the end of the contract period by making
a final 'balloon' payment, agreed at the start of the contract. As an
alternative the vehicle, at the end of the contract, can be returned to
the finance company.
The fixed monthly payment takes into account
the cost of the vehicle, its rate of depreciation, the length of the contract,
mileage and any additional services that may be required.
Top
Hire
Purchase HP
A deposit is paid and the remaining balance plus interest is then divided
into a fixed monthly payment.
At the end of the agreed term you will
own the vehicle, however this does mean that the monthly payment is likely
to be significantly higher that using a finance method that incorporates
a final balloon payment.
Top
|