80% OF DRIVERS ARE BETTER OFF AFTER APRIL TAX
CHANGES SAY BENCHMARK LEASING

Drivers who have done their homework before choosing their next car are hundreds of pounds better off

Drivers who have done their homework on CO2 emissions before choosing their next company car are already reporting a reduction in their Benefit in Kind tax bills according to Benchmark Leasing.

Windsor based Benchmark Leasing which specialises in providing company cars to small to medium sized fleets is getting reports back from 80% of its drivers saying they are actually financially better off after the tax changes.

The cars generating the most interest amongst its drivers were predominantly diesel cars from Volkswagen and Audi including the Golf 130bhp diesel and the Audi A4 powered by the same engine.

'Those drivers that spent time researching the most cost effective company car options based on the new CO2 based car tax rules are already better off,' explained Tony Flood, director of Benchmark Leasing.

'Many who received their first payslips after the 5 April tax changes kicked in saw an immediate reduction in the tax paid on their company car. The majority of drivers have also opted out of receiving private fuel, so many are hundreds of pounds better off each month,' he added.

Benchmark spent time educating its fleet manager clients and their drivers that they had to spend time on understanding the legislation and working out their pre and post April car tax through Benchmark's online company car tax calculator (www.benchmarkleasing.co.uk).

'Most drivers have opted for diesel cars as a way round this new legislation, but quite a few have still stuck with low emission petrol cars such as the Volvo S60,' said Flood.