Business Finance and Lease Options

Business Contract Purchase

Pros

• All monthly payments are fixed, so you won’t get any unexpected price increases.
• The terms are flexible, including a variable contract duration and mileage allowance.
• Guaranteed resale value of the vehicle at the end of the contract for a known fixed amount.
• The vehicle’s value can be written down against taxable profits.
• Maintenance and servicing can be included in the agreement.
• If your business is a VAT registered company, you will not be required to pay VAT on your monthly instalments.

Things to be aware of

• The vehicle must be insured with full comprehensive cover.
• When the contract comes to an end, you must decide whether to sell it, return it to the dealership or purchase the vehicle at an agreed price.

Business Hire Purchase

Pros

• Monthly instalments are not subject to VAT.
• The vehicle will be registered in the name of your business.
• It can be retained as a company asset.
• Benefit from a low deposit and monthly instalments.
• The value of the vehicle can be written against taxable profits.
• Your business will own the car once the final balloon payment is made.

Things to be aware of

• The vehicle must be insured with full comprehensive cover.
• A final balloon payment must be made at the end of the contract. There is no option to return the vehicle once the contract has expired.
• In some cases, the final balloon payment can be higher than its value at the end of the agreement.

Personal Contract Hire

Pros

• Drive away in a brand-new vehicle on low monthly payments.
• There is no need to worry about selling the car at the end of the agreement.
• All monthly payments are fixed and will never change.
• You won’t have to worry about the vehicle losing its value.

Things to be aware of

• You may have to pay an exit fee if you wish to end the agreement early.
• If you return the vehicle damaged, you may have to pay extra charges to cover the cost of repairs.
• You will be charged for an excess mileage if you exceed the agreed limit.

What is BCP?

A Business Contract Purchase is for businesses who want to own their vehicles, without the risk of depreciating assets. In order to take out a BCP finance agreement, your company must be a VAT registered business.

BCP agreements are ideal for businesses who run expensive vehicles, who don’t want the worry of losing the value on their vehicles. All you have to do is choose a brand-new car, pay a deposit and set up monthly payments to cover the instalments. Then you can put your new business vehicle to good use.

It is important that you consider all business finance plans before you enter into an agreement. A BCP agreement may not be the best choice for your company.

How does BCP finance work?

If you are looking for a single car or a whole fleet, a BCP agreement allows your company to lease vehicles on a contract purchase basis. You will be required to pay for the vehicle in monthly instalments over an agreed period of 24-48 months.

You will not have to pay VAT on the monthly payments if your business is a VAT registered company. However, if you take out an optional maintenance package, you will have to pay VAT on any service costs.

At the end of your BCP agreement, your business has the option to purchase the car based on its Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV). This is known as a final balloon payment, which can be paid as long as the terms of the finance agreement have been met.

What happens when BCP finance ends?

Your business is not obliged to buy the vehicle at the end of the contract, but the option to buy is there should you wish to keep the car. When a Business Contract Purchase expires, there are three options available:

Return the vehicle to the dealership
Pay the final balloon payment and your business will own the vehicle outright
Refinance the final rental amount by paying the balloon payment in monthly instalments. Once all payments have been received, you will then own the vehicle.

What is BHP?

Also known as business lease purchase, Business Hire Purchase is a finance agreement that offers vehicle funding for companies who want to buy a new or used car without having to spend money upfront. It is purely a finance package, so it does not include maintenance or other value-added services that you would expect from a business contract purchase agreement.

A Business Hire Purchase finance agreement is not for every business. It is important to review all your options before committing to a contract.

How does BHP finance work?

You will be required to pay an initial deposit followed by monthly instalments throughout the duration of your contract. Both the deposit and the monthly payments are calculate using the retail value of the vehicle, the length of the contract and the estimated residual value of the vehicle at the end of the agreement.

The vehicle will belong to your business as soon as the lease agreement has begun. However, the car has to be purchased at the end of the contract with a final balloon payment. The slower the vehicle’s value depreciates, the better the deal you get because your business will take on the residual value of the car.

What happens when BHP finance ends?

When your Business Hire Purchase agreement comes to an end, your company will be required to pay a final balloon payment. Once this is paid, you will have full ownership of the vehicle.

As soon as you sign the agreement at the beginning of the contract, your company agrees to purchase the vehicle at the end of the agreed duration. Your business will not be given the option to return the vehicle and your company is liable for the full value of the car.

What is BCH?

Business Contract Hire is a form of leasing, which allows your company to drive the vehicle over an agreed period of time with a set mileage allowance. Not only is it a cost-effective way to gain access to new vehicles, but it also prevents you from feeling the effects of any large drops in value that you would normally associate with owning a new car.

You do have the option to include vehicle service maintenance and repairs in your BCH agreement, giving you the flexibility to budget for all your motoring costs with ease. In order to be able to take out a BCH agreement, your company has to be a sole trader, partnership, limited company or a public limited company.

How does BCH finance work?

A BCP agreement allows businesses to finance a new or used vehicles with an agreed minimum down payment and a mileage allowance. The minimum down payment must be paid in advance and is usually equal to three monthly instalments.

The mileage allowance is agreed in advance, the minimum being 10,000 miles per annum and a maximum of 40,000 miles per annum. An excess mileage rate is charged if you exceed the mileage allowance. You will be charged for this when your contract ends.

Business Contract Hires is subject to VAT, 50% of which can be claimed back. When the agreement is over, the vehicle must be handed back to the dealership in good condition. If the vehicle has sustained any damage, you will incur extra costs to cover any repairs needed.

What happens when BCH finance ends?

When your BCH agreement ends, your business will have 2 options to choose from:

Return the vehicle to the dealership
Extend the leasing agreement with the dealership

Your company will not be able to purchase the vehicle and will gain no valuable assets. When you come to return the car, it must be given back in a condition that meets the standards of the BVRLA ‘Fair Wear and Tear’ guidelines. You may incur extra charges if the vehicle fails to meet these standards.