Smoke signals fleet benefits

British Car Auctions (BCA) suggests the new smoking ban will help vehicle owners protect residual values at remarketing time.

With the new legislation in force from 1st July, many company vehicles will be classified as being primarily used for business purposes and smoking will not be allowed in them. This means many fewer ex-fleet cars should be offered for sale with smoker’s damage, which is good news for fleet owners who should see the benefit in improved residual values.

BCA’s Network Operations Director Simon Henstock commented “When it is time for it to be sold, a ‘smoked-in’ vehicle is much less appealing to buyers. Nicotine stains build up in the cabin, the cigarette smell lingers and almost inevitably there is burn damage somewhere. Research we have carried out with buyers shows they place presentation on a par with, if not above, a service history or details of previous ownership. And presentation is not just about how the vehicle looks, but how it smells!”

As it is the employer’s duty to enforce the smoking ban, BCA believes this is a useful tool in the box for fleet managers. Henstock added ““As the vehicle owner, any business has a duty and a right to protect the value of the assets it operates. Smoking in a vehicle reduces its value and now fleet managers have an effective means to combat that practice.”

He continued “It might be worth reminding company drivers that even if they are finding it increasingly difficult to find a place to have a cigarette during the working day, they must not be tempted to smoke in their company car or van.”