VAN LEASING AND
SALES SPECIALISTS

We are often asked which is the best way to fund your new van and what is the most tax efficient way.

The truth is there is no perfect solution! Here is what you need to know in simple terms to make your own educated decision.

With a Business Lease or contract to hire you do not own the van it's rented, as such the monthly rentals can be offset against taxable profits in the year, they are paid. Your tax relief is spread over the contract term.

When you fund using Hire Purchase it’s the word purchase that’s the key. You're buying the van; if you are VAT registered, you can reclaim the VAT Immediately. Often customers don’t understand how they can claim back the VAT even though the van is finance and not yet paid for. The reason you can is the VAT on the purchase is paid up front, and the finance agreement is your VAT invoice. If you look hard enough you will always find the finance companies VAT no. on the agreement.

You can claim 100% tax relief against profits in the year of purchase or you can choose to depreciate the asset over the term. Up to a maximum of £200,000 of fixed assets per year. (Cars are excluded).

There is a good reason why you generally see Leasing advertised and not Hire Purchase and cash prices. What you seldom told is the manufacturers will often insist that dealers and brokers alike market their vans only using a monthly lease payment and never a headline discounted cost. It's often the case that the best discounts are only made available to use exclusively for Lease products. They do this because they don’t want to show what the discounted cost of the van is.

If a manufacturer had more vans than customers and needs to sell old stock, they could simply get their dealers to have a big sale. They may well discount a £25,000 van and sell it for £16,995 great deal yes! But imagine what that would do to the resale market value of the product. It is critical that the residual value remains high because that is what gives us the low monthly payments in the first place. When we market a lease, when we quote and on the finance agreement we are not legally required to show you the sale price of the van because or finance charges because it’s a rental agreement, not a purchase. You still get a great deal the residual value is protected, and everyone is happy, so that is why as a customer you are often directed towards a lease.

Most manufacturers prefer brokers to sell their vans on Lease products as the vehicle is sold on a monthly rental. The finance company is not legally required to show the discounted cost and APR. Therefore the cost of the vehicle is not clear. At Rapidvans we make our quotes clear showing the discount your receiving and final payment, so you know exactly what you’re paying.

• Lease products allow for a smaller initial deposit. The VAT is chargeable on the rentals not on the sale price of the vehicle, this spreads the VAT cost which is ideal if you’re not VAT registered.
• The rentals are 100% tax deductible in the year that they are paid. VAT is recoverable quarterly and the funder will invoices these monthly.
• If you’re NOT VAT registered and choose to part exchange or settle the agreement early, then you will only pay the VAT on the rentals you have paid. This can be a significant saving if you plan to change the vehicle regularly.
• Choice of contract period from 36 to 60 months allows you to spread the cost in line with depreciation and achieve affordable monthly payment.
• No mileage or damage penalties. However excess mileage or damage will affect the future value of your vehicle. It is important that you do not underestimate the mileage as you may find the vehicle is worth less than the final payment.
• Monthly rentals can be reduced with the introduction of a balloon payment (Final payment) this is based on the residual value and is payable with the final rental at the end of the term.
• You can settle the agreement early if your choice to sell or part exchange.
• At the end of the term, the finance company will invoice the vehicle to the third part of your choosing. This could be a trader or an unrelated business. If you wish you can then purchase the vehicle from the third party. If required we can arrange the finance for you.
• You retain 97.5 % of the equity built up in the vehicle over the contract.
• Please read this example which will help explain what happens at the end term.
• The customer is part exchanging or selling to a third party.
• E.g. The Part exchange offer is £7000.00 + VAT. Final Balloon Payment being 5000.00 + VAT
• The Finance company is paid the full amount by the dealer. £7000.00 + VAT
• Finance company charge an admin fee of 2.5% of the sale price £175.00 + VAT
• Finance company charge an admin fee of 2.5% of the sale price £175.00 + VAT
• The balance/equity is returned to the customer £1825.00 + VAT

• The final balloon payment is based on a predicted trade value at the end of the term. If you run over the estimated mileage or the vehicle is damaged, you may find the vehicle is worth less than the final payment.
• The introduction of balloon payment reduces the monthly repayments, but it will attract interest and therefore increase the cost of finance. We recommend that you consider as low a balloon payment as possible whilst keeping the monthly cost affordable.
• Unlike H.P the interest charged is not shown on the agreement, however, to calculate the total amount payable for the vehicle simply add all rentals including the balloon payment. We always supply this information on our quotes, but the finance company is not legally required to display this or APR figures on lease agreements. If at any stage the cost is not clear to you please contact us.
• The hirer is responsible for the operating costs, such as tyres, servicing and road tax. However, if the vehicle is new, it comes with a 3-year warranty with in the case of Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Isuzu you get five years, 100,000 miles. You can opt for maintenance and service package to cover these cost - Please ask for a quote.
• There is a risk of negative equity if settled early.
• At the end of the term there is a paper trail that must be completed to terminate the lease.
• HMRC will not permit the hirer to purchase the vehicle directly at the end of the term as the hirer cannot be seen to take have the tax advantage of rental and also ownership. HMRC Will not allow the finance company to sell the vehicle to the hirer. The only way the hirer can gain possession at the end of term is to arrange to sell to a trader or any unrelated business and then there is nothing to stop you entering a new agreement to purchase the vehicle from the third party. We can arrange the finance for you if required.

• You take ownership at the end of the agreement. When the last payment is made the vehicle is yours.
• Flexible payment terms and the option to introduce a balloon payment at the end of the term reduces monthly repayment. This is commonly referred to as Lease Purchase or H.P with a balloon.
• The capital cost of the van is 100% Tax deductible in the year of purchase or it can be written down over the period. We advise you to speak with your accountant before ordering.
• The Interest rate is fixed at the start of the term; Interest charges and APR are openly displayed on the agreement.
• VAT recovery is simple as VAT on the sale cost of the vehicle is reclaimed in the same quarter its purchased. The monthly payments are not subject to VAT.

• Outstanding payments appear as a liability on your balance sheet.
• You are liable for the full value of the vehicle and have no option to return it at the end of the term.
• The full amount of VAT on the purchase must be paid upfront if you’re NOT VAT registered this cannot be recharged. (When you lease you only pay the VAT on the rentals you pay).

• Low deposit typically equivalent to 3 monthly rentals
• Choice of contract period from 24 to 60 months. Fixed cost motoring. Steady cash flow
• Maintenance can be included at extra cost but this then allows you to budget exactly.
• Road Fund Licence is included Option to add servicing and maintenance, taking away all the hassle of running a vehicle
• Free up capital - Get a new vehicle without the up-front costs, freeing up money for you to invest elsewhere in your business
• No risk - The risk of vehicle depreciation is eliminated. At the end of the contract, the vehicle is simply handed back without worrying about how much it might be worth
• Less administration - The finance company deals with all the buying, maintenance and selling issues
• Tax benefits - Reclaim up to 100% of the VAT on all maintenance charges, the lease rental the fees and finance element for commercial vehicles.
• Rentals are up to 100% allowable against corporation tax
• The vehicle appears off 'Balance Sheet' as it is owned by the leasing company.

• You will need to estimate the mileage accurately no benefit or compensation if you do less than the contracted mileage.
• If you go over their agreed mileage allowance, excess mileage will be charged for each mile over that is stated in the contract.
• You must look after the vehicles and return in a well-maintained condition, if not you will be charged for any damage over and above as stated in the 'Fair Wear and Tear Guide.'
• No option to purchase the vehicle.
• The cost to terminate the contract early can be expensive.