Your Employer may allow additional cars to be leased for your partner, to check if your organisation allows this please call our quotes team on 01206 255420.
You will receive a business mileage allowance if you travel on official business. If you choose salary deduction part of the allowance may be deducted from the cost of the car during the quote and this reduces the amount you pay for the private use. The other part of the allowance is for fuel and this will be taxed if the allowance exceeds the HMRC advisory fuel rate. HMRC advisory rates can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-fuel-rates
Because salary sacrifice savings are based upon your reduced pay, the mileage allowance is not offset against the cost of the car to reduce the cost. This is because it would result in lower savings and would reduce the benefit of salary sacrifice. The full allowance is paid on submission of your business mileage return. The allowance you receive will be greater than the HMRC advisory fuel rate and you will pay tax and national insurance on the profit element (allowance – advisory fuel rate)
Example
(In this example salary sacrifice allowance is 45p and advisory fuel rate 11p)
45p – 11p = 34p (this is the taxable amount)
Tax @ 20% = 6.80p
NIC @ 12% = 4.08p
Therefore, the Net allowance is 45p – 10.88p = 34.12p per mile
Note: the allowances used in the example are indicative; the actual allowance applicable to your organisation will be shown in the quote. You can also refer to the lease car policy.
To apply for a vehicle, you will need to be a permanent employee and your employer will need to have appointed us as the fleet manager. If you are unsure if your employer operates a scheme with us, please call on 01206 255420. Some organisations have additional criteria for joining the scheme; for details, you need to review the lease car policy which can usually be found on your employer’s intranet or call us for details.
The contract includes all costs of finance, maintenance, servicing, tyres, windscreen and glass, payment of fuel for business journeys, comprehensive insurance, and full support from Knowles Fleet.
In addition to:
You can choose from a 24 – 48 month contract. Quotes are preformatted to show 36 months, please speak to our quotes teams if you wish to change this.
No, you will have the option to either renew with a new vehicle, purchase your vehicle or hand your vehicle back.
This will depend on your employer; some employers will have an emissions restriction. To0 find out more either speak with your employer or our quotes team.
Simply visit the dedicated Clean Air Zone website for the city you are driving in and register.
If you have not already done so you will need to create an account by selecting create account from the top right of this page. Once you have created an account, you will need to login using your username and password.
When you select request a quote, if your employer offers salary sacrifice, you will be prompted to provide your salary details so we can generate an accurate quote. You can select from relevant filters to narrow down your vehicle selection before selecting your car from a dropdown menu.
Your quote will be produced with just your paint selection in the first instance. After the first quote is displayed you can amend the quote to include accessories or adjust the mileage. You will have the option to save any quotes which you can then return to at any time.
To see vehicles available quickly, go to our quick delivery page.
Your employer may offer the choice to pay by salary sacrifice or salary deduction. If they do, you will see both quotes side by side for comparison. You can click into each quote to review further before making an informed decision.
Salary Sacrifice is a payment taken from your Gross pay before Tax, National Insurance and Pension Contributions are calculated. In essence, you swap part of your salary for a car. In doing so, you reduce your taxable/pensionable pay and make savings accordingly.
Please note that paying by Salary Sacrifice may affect your pension and other income related benefits.
Salary Deduction is a payment taken from your net pay after all deductions such as Tax, National Insurance and Pension Contributions have been calculated.
Your quote is based on the salary information that you provide. Our system will calculate your pre and post-sacrifice remuneration arrangement and then calculate the difference in your take-home pay, the difference being the net cost.
Please note that If your salary or any other aspect of your pay changes e.g salary, contracted hours, other sacrifices then this may impact the savings calculated.
Salary Deduction
If you opt to take a vehicle from your employer under a salary deduction (from net pay) agreement then your pensionable pay will not be impacted.
Salary Sacrifice
If you opt to take a vehicle from your employer under a salary sacrifice (from gross pay) agreement then your pensionable pay may be impacted depending on the pension scheme you are a member of. When you generate a quotation on the portal, if your pensionable pay is reduced considering the sacrifice, it will show under “pension saving” on the cost breakdown. Our quotations team will be able to confirm for you if your employer's salary sacrifice offering will impact your pensionable pay and are contactable via telephone, live chat, video conferencing, and e-mail.
We have listed below some of the most popular schemes for reference.
National Health Service
By entering into a salary sacrifice arrangement, your pension contribution will be calculated on your reduced annual salary. This reduction in contribution is shown as saving on your quotation. Please note that if your pension contribution tier is reduced post-sacrifice, it can take some time for this to be reflected in your salary. If your tier has not reduced and you believe it should have, then please contact Knowles Fleet to discuss.
The current NHS Pension scheme is what is classified as a Career Average Earning Scheme (CARE), meaning that entering into a salary sacrifice arrangement will reduce your pensionable pay.
Current NHS pension contribution rates:
| Salary Band | Contribution rates from 1 October 2022 |
|---|---|
| Up to £13,259 | 5.2% |
| £13,260 to £26,831 | 6.5% |
| £26,832 to £32,691 | 8.3% |
| £32,692 to £49,078 | 9.8% |
| £49,079 to £62,924 | 10.7% |
| £62,925 and above | 12.5% |
N.B. The contribution rate is based upon actual annual pensionable pay and not Whole Time Equivalent (WTE). The savings shown on quotations are based on the pension contribution tables available at the point of generation. Should contribution rates and tiers amend during the course of a contract, it may result in a variation to the estimated savings and net cost.
Further information on the NHS pension scheme can be found on the NHSBSA website: NHSBSA Member Hub.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
This scheme operates across various sectors within the public sector including Councils, Police forces, and Universities. The current LGPS Pension scheme is classified as a Career Average Earning Scheme (CARE), meaning that entering into a salary sacrifice arrangement will reduce your pensionable pay.
Current LGPS pension contribution rates:
| Salary Band | Contribution rates from 1 April 2022 |
|---|---|
| Up to £15,000 | 5.50% |
| £15,001 to £23,600 | 5.80% |
| £23,601 to £38,300 | 6.50% |
| £38,301 to £48,500 | 6.80% |
| £48,501 to £67,900 | 8.50% |
| £67,901 to £96,200 | 9.90% |
| £96,201 to £113,400 | 10.50% |
| £113,401 to £170,100 | 11.40% |
| £170,101 or more | 12.50% |
Further information on the LGPS pension scheme can be found on the Government website: Government Police Pension Schemes.
Police Officers
If you are a member of the police officers' pension scheme, your pension contributions will be calculated based on your nominal (pre-sacrifice) salary.
Further information on the Police Officer's pension scheme can be found on the LGPS website: LGPS Member.
Universities
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Please see above.
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
If you are a member of the USS pension scheme, your pension contributions will be calculated based on your nominal (pre-sacrifice) salary.
Further information can be found on the USS website:
USS Pension Scheme.
Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS)
The TPS Pension scheme is classified as a Career Average Earning Scheme (CARE), meaning that entering into a salary sacrifice arrangement will reduce your pensionable pay.
Current TPS pension contribution rates:
| Salary Band | Contribution rates from 1 April 2022 |
|---|---|
| Up to £29,187.99 | 7.40% |
| £29,188 to £39,290.99 | 8.60% |
| £39,291 to £46,586.99 | 9.60% |
| £46,587 to £61,742.99 | 10.20% |
| £61,743 to £84,193.99 | 11.30% |
| £84,194 and above | 11.70% |
Further information on TPS can be found on the TPS website: Teachers' Pensions.
Private Sector
The impact on pensionable pay will depend on your employer's pension scheme and their salary sacrifice policy. Your organisation will have a dedicated webpage with specific details regarding pensionable pay calculation. If you are unsure of the website address, please contact our quotations support team.
If you are unsure of the impact on your future pension entitlements, we strongly recommend seeking independent financial advice.
The car benefit tax detailed within your quotation is for information only; for further details, please seek independent advice.
If you receive a salary from your employment you pay income tax through the PAYE system. If you receive goods or other non-cash items, you are receiving a "benefit in kind" which is taxable. A car that is provided by your employer whether by salary deduction or salary sacrifice is classified by the HMRC as non-cash income. The "benefit in kind" value of the car is calculated by multiplying the list price of the car by the CO2 percentage.
Each year HMRC publish a table of emission values that equate to a CO2 percentage figure. The percentage applicable to your car will update each year and this will amend the amount of tax you pay. An estimate of each year’s tax is detailed on your quote.
N.B. the percentage values apply to petrol engine, there is an additional 4% supplement for diesel engines, however this is capped at 37%. If your diesel engine meets the Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2) standard the supplement will not apply.
Payments made by salary sacrifice are a salary swap and not payments for the private use of the car. Therefore, the tax calculation is based on the great of the List price x CO2 % or the Annual Sacrifice e.g. £20,000.00 List Price x 15% CO2 percentage = £3,000.00 Benefit x 20% tax rate = £600 per annum Car Benefit Tax
Payments made by salary deduction are classified as payments for the private use of the car and HMRC discounts the Car Benefit Charge by the value of the private use contribution. Therefore, the tax calculation is List price x CO2 % - private use contribution x tax rate.
e.g. £20,000.00 x 15% = £3,000.00 - £1,000.00 = £2,000.00 x 20% = £400 per annum
Please note that the benefit in kind calculated by HMRC is classified as taxable income and may affect your entitlement to income-related state benefits. If you are likely to be affected by this, we recommend you seek independent financial advice.
No, it is a separate payment to the HMRC
The tax is collected through the PAYE system in one of two ways:
The method used will depend on your employer. If you are unsure of the method your employer uses, please call Knowles Fleet.
Quotes are based on the best price available from several different lease companies at the time you obtain your quote. The leasing companies update their prices on a regular basis, in addition a lease company that provided a price yesterday may not do so today. As our website is constantly obtaining live prices, quotes can change from one day to the next. However, if you save the quotes, they are valid for 21 days meaning you can benefit from the best price. Quotes are valid for 21 days however they are subject to change in the event of any changes in supply costs, interest rates or government grants or legislation.
Quotations are based on your own circumstances and mileage. These may differ to your colleagues and will result in a different price.
The lease company who owns your vehicle will automatically renew your Road Tax on an annual basis. In order to ensure they can renew the Road Tax; you will need to have a valid MOT (the first MOT is due when the vehicle is 3 years old). It is your responsibility to ensure the MOT is completed on time.
The government set an advisory electricity rate which can be paid to fully electric vehicles, this rate is currently set at 4p per mile. Your employer may choose to pay over this rate and if they do anything over the advisory rate is subject to income tax and national insurance contributions.
The majority of EVs available in the UK market can be leased.
When you request a quote, simply select ‘electric’ from the fuel type options to view the full range on offer.
Battery Electric (BEV)
Fully electric vehicles that run solely on battery power. The battery is replenished by plugging into a home or public charge point and topped up through regenerative braking.
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Dual motor, typically electric and petrol. PHEVs have a smaller all-electric range than BEVs but for longer journeys, can be driven on petrol only. The battery is charged using a home or public charging station and boosted by regenerative braking.
Full Hybrid (FHEV)
Self-charging hybrids with a petrol/diesel engine and an electric motor. The battery recharges through regenerative braking only; there is no plug-in option. FHEVs do not have a significant electric range but can switch to electric only when pulling away (generally up to 20 mph max.) if the battery has enough charge. The main function of the electric motor is to increase the vehicle’s MPG.
HMRC has set Benefit in Kind tax (BIK) for EVs at 2% to 2025. The rate will then increase by just 1% every year to 2028. This low rate compared to petrol and diesel vehicles makes leasing an EV through your employer car scheme a cost effective option.
Electric cars are typically more expensive to buy than equivalent petrol and diesel models so leasing can often prove an affordable way to make the switch, especially under a salary sacrifice arrangement where you benefit from tax and National Insurance savings too.
Most manufacturers include a charging cable with an EV. However, please check which cable (if any) is included with your vehicle before placing your application.
Most home and public charge points use a Type 2 connector. If you plan to have a home charge point fitted, please check with the vehicle manufacturer that the car you are leasing includes the correct cable.
You can order a Type 2 charging cable from our home charging partner if you use them for an installation.
Here are some useful links to help you calculate home charging and public charging costs.
Many electricity providers now offer EV tariffs that provide cheaper, off-peak electricity to charge your EV for less. Charge point technology is also becoming more sophisticated with smart features that choose the cheapest, greenest times to charge.
Connector Types and Charging Speeds
The type of connector you use will depend on your EV and the speed of the charging point you use.
In the UK, five types of connectors are used:
Most EV manufacturers and UK charge points typically use a Type 2 connector.
EV ranges vary considerably depending on the make and model you choose. The range figures quoted by manufacturers often differ from the more realistic ‘real world’ range, which is affected by factors such as driving style, type of journey, and weather conditions.
When you’re looking at EV suitability, it is important to consider the real world range, which is typically 70-75% of the manufacturer’s quoted range.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding range, please visit the manufacturer website or contact us on 01206 255420 and we’ll be happy to help.
Your EV’s range is influenced by several factors such as driving speed and style, your route, and the weather.
The following tips will help increase the range you get from your vehicle:
Regenerative braking is a system that collects energy generated by friction that would otherwise be lost in a combustion engine vehicle. Once captured, the energy is channelled back to the battery which helps to extend an EV’s range. Most electric/hybrid vehicles will have various eco settings that offer different levels of regenerative braking.
Eventually, as with a petrol or diesel car, you come to a stop. EVs do provide plenty of warning when the range is running low though and some will limit power or shut off systems such as the air conditioning to extend the range.
Range gauges are typically on the cautious side to reduce the risk of breakdown. But if you do run out of charge, the RAC is rolling out an on-board charging system on its latest vans that provides battery top ups at the roadside. However, with the number of rapid chargers across the UK increasing fast, it’s more likely your vehicle will be towed to the nearest service station for a quick recharge.
Only a handful of electric vehicles are legally allowed to tow. Maximum towing weights are set during a process called Type Approval which is carried out before a new vehicle goes on sale. However, it’s an optional part of the assessment. If a manufacturer deems a vehicle unlikely to tow e.g. a high-performance petrol car or shorter range EV – they can choose not to approve it. If a vehicle is sold without approval, then it is illegal to use it for towing.
Once your order has been placed, it may be possible to amend your order; however, a charge may apply. Please contact our order team if you wish to discuss changing your order on 01206 252300 option 3.
If you choose to cancel your order, a fee may apply. Please contact our order team if you wish to discuss cancelling your order on 01206 252300 option 3.
Unfortunately, there are reasons outside of our control which may cause your price to change. These can include quotes expiring, manufacturer price increases, legislative changes. We will endeavour to source a new price as close to your original cost as possible and we will contact you to discuss the increase.
If you have a vehicle on order and need a temporary vehicle whilst you wait for delivery, we may be able to assist with a lead-in car. Please call us on 01206 252300 option 3 to discuss.
If you would like to discuss getting a home charger point fitted to your home address, please call the quotes team on 01206 255420 or email evcharging@kafleet.com.
We will put you in contact with an approved installer who will contact you directly to carry out a survey prior to installation.
Please note that not all properties are suitable for a home charging point.
Although the cost to install a home charge point is not included with your lease, we have partnered with leading specialist Pod Point to offer an easy solution. We can also support with the provision of an alternative portable charger. To take advantage of this priority service, please email evcharging@kafleet.com or call us on 01206 255422 so we can refer you.
All requests for lease car information from your charge point installer should be referred to evcharging@kafleet.com.
Please note that from April 2022, the Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme (EVHS) grant is now limited to owners of flats or those living in rented accommodation only.
Most cars are factory orders and will take around 12 - 14 weeks from order to delivery so please take this into account when you make your choice. Some vehicles may take longer.
We will contact you once your vehicle arrives into stock to make delivery arrangements. Vehicles can be delivered to a UK mainland address of your choice on a weekday.
Manufacturers are currently taking around 26 weeks to produce and deliver a new car. However, this can be subject to change. We will keep you fully informed with regular delivery updates once your order is placed.
If you experience a breakdown in your vehicle, you will need to call the breakdown number for your lease company. You can find the number by going to https://www.knowlesfleet.com/emergency-contact.html.
We recommend you save the breakdown number to your mobile contacts in case you break down in an area without internet signal.
Replacement vehicles are not guaranteed as part of your lease car contract unless you have opted for a relief vehicle. If your vehicle breakdowns and cannot be repaired, the breakdown company may give you a vehicle for 24 hours however, this is not guaranteed. If your vehicle is towed to a garage, the garage will endeavour to give you a courtesy car if they have one available. Please note that courtesy cars will not be on a like for like basis and are usually a small car. Garages are also unlikely to have automatic courtesy cars available; you will need to make alternative arrangements if you have an automatic only licence.
When we deliver your new car, you will have access to an online driver pack which contains information regarding servicing, tyres, and breakdown. You can access relevant numbers and information for your vehicle by going to https://www.knowlesfleet.com/emergency-contact.html. We recommend that you save the main numbers, such as breakdown and accident helpline, into your mobile phone.
Servicing and MOTs should be undertaken by a franchised dealer. If you take your vehicle to an independent garage, the lease company may not authorise the work, and you may be liable to pay the full cost.
Call the tyre and breakdown numbers provided to access the relevant services. This will usually be one of the mainstream providers, such as KwikFit, ATS, AA, or RAC.
Courtesy Cars are not a guaranteed part of your lease car contract. Where a vehicle is taken to a franchised dealer for service, MOT, recall or other maintenance issue, they will endeavour to give you a courtesy car if they have one available. We advise early booking with the garage to increase your chances of obtaining a courtesy car. Please note that courtesy cars will not be on a like for like basis and are usually a small car. Garages are also unlikely to have automatic courtesy cars available; you will need to make alternative arrangements if you have an automatic only licence.
AdBlue is used in some diesel engines to comply with Euro 6 emission standards because it reduces harmful nitrogen-oxide emissions. If your vehicle requires AdBlue, in most cases, you will see an additional filling point next to your fuel filler cap. However, you are advised to check your vehicle handbook to confirm if AdBlue is required.
Topping up with AdBlue is simple but always consult your car's handbook first, typically all you need to do is open the AdBlue filler cap, screw on the connecter of the refill bottle, then let the AdBlue drain into the tank. Many larger refill containers require a connecting nozzle, and you may want to buy one of these from a dealer if you’re a high-mileage driver, as larger refills can save you money in the long run.
Before you make your vehicle selection, we would like to make you aware of diesel cars that use a diesel particulate filter. If you are a driver that makes frequent short journeys, you should consider very carefully if a diesel vehicle with a particulate filter is right for you. If you are unsure if the vehicle you would like has this type of filter, please visit the manufacturers website and review the technical specification of the vehicle. Alternatively, please call us on 01206 255 420.
Most manufacturers recommend that a car should be serviced every 12,000 miles or every 12months, whichever comes first. Many cars feature a self-diagnostic system, which will advise when a car service is due details of the system, however, this should not be relied on alone and you should consult your vehicle handbook or contact your local franchised dealer to confirm the intervals. Drivers are advised not to ignore any in vehicle warning signs even if they occur before 12 months or 12,000 miles has been reached.
Not servicing your car increases your chances of suffering a breakdown - which could be costly and inconvenient if you subsequently become reliant on hire cars or public transport whilst your vehicle is fixed.
Any charges to repair the vehicle due to failure to service will not be covered under the lease arrangement and you will be liable to pay the full cost.
The first MOT on a new vehicle is due when the vehicle is 3 years old. You will receive an automated reminder from our system one month before the MOT is due. It is important that you have the MOT completed before the expiry date. Once the MOT has expired, you will not be able to drive the vehicle.
If your vehicle is due to be returned around the MOT due date, you will need to ensure the vehicle has a valid MOT before collection. Failure to do so may result in an aborted collection and you will be liable for any fees charged by the lease company.
Yes, it is usually possibly to add items to the car during the contract, however, you would need to contact the lease company in order to confirm as the vehicle belongs to them. If you add any items to the vehicle during the contract, they must be removed before the car is returned and any damage caused made good.
EVs require less maintenance as the engine has fewer moving parts and there are no gears or exhaust to worry about. You also won’t need to think about oil changes and regenerative braking places less wear and tear on the brakes.
You can charge an electric vehicle at home (if your property is suitable for a charge point to be installed), at some workplaces or by using one of the growing number of public charging points.
Charging at home is usually the most convenient and cheapest option although some work and public charge points are free to use e.g. at some supermarkets, attractions, hotels and car parks.
Information on the location of public charge points, including those that are free, is widely available online, for example here
To report an accident, go to www.knowlesfleet.com and select Report Accident. You will be prompted to enter your registration number and login to your account before completing the accident form. Please complete as many details as possible to prevent any delay in processing your claim. Once you have completed the form, you will have the opportunity to select a repairer local to you. Please contact the repairer to arrange for the repair to be estimated.
If you require a copy of your insurance certificate, please call us on 01206 257220.
If you have sustained a chip or crack to your windscreen, please contact the windscreen company as soon as possible. You will need to provide your employer’s account number when calling to arrange a repair or replacement. Details of the contact telephone number and account number can be found by going to www.knowlesfleet.com and selecting the red button.
Your vehicle is covered under a fleet insurance policy. Like most insurance policy, an excess is payable for any claims. The excess which is applicable to the claim will be advised at point of claiming and may be higher for younger or inexperienced drivers. If the excess is recoverable from a third party, this will be paid back to you on receipt.
It may be possible to add an additional driver to your insurance policy depending on your employer. Please contact us on 01206 257220 to check. To add an additional driver, we will require a copy of their driving licence as well as the licence check code from the DVLA. Please note that business cover will be restricted to the employee of the scheme organisation only.
It may be possible to add an additional driver who is on a provisional licence to your insurance policy depending on your employer. Please contact us on 01206 257220 to check.
You will not be automatically entitled to a vehicle whilst your vehicle is undergoing repairs unless you have a relief vehicle on your contract. In practise, it is likely that a courtesy car will be available if you book your vehicle in for repair with enough notice. Please note that courtesy cars will not be on a like for like basis and are usually a small car. Garages are also unlikely to have automatic courtesy cars available; you will need to make alternative arrangements if you have an automatic only licence. If your vehicle is declared a write off, any courtesy car will need to be returned to the repairer immediately. If a third party is at fault, we may be able to arrange a credit hire vehicle. In other cases, we may be able to assist with a Hire Car if your employer authorises it.
The lease company may allow you to take the vehicle abroad; however, you will need form VE103 to do so. From December 2020, you will also need a Green Card before taking your vehicle to Europe. If you wish to take your vehicle abroad, please call us on 01206 257220 to discuss, and we will advise you of the procedure. Please ensure you contact us at least one month before your date of travel.
From 1st January 2021, all vehicles (and certain trailers) travelling from the UK in Europe will require a Green Card for the duration of travel. You will also still require a VE103.
For the Insurer to issue a Green Card, the policy must not expire during the trip. It is advised that the driver contacts Knowles prior to booking any travel. Green Cards must be requested at least a month before travel.
The driver will need a separate Green Card for each individual vehicle as well as trailers which are over 750kgs or braked (e.g., articulated trailer, caravan, horse box).
For a vehicle, the registration number is sufficient for the Green Card. For a trailer, we will require the VIN/CRiS/Chassis number.
A Green Card will allow a vehicle to be driven in member countries of the EU plus Andorra, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. A Green Card is also required if you are crossing the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland border.
For a caravan or a horsebox, please select F – Trailer.
For a van, works van, or motorhome, select G – Others.
For farm or agricultural tractors, select G – Others (‘C’ is for Lorry tractor units).
Display a Great Britain (GB) sticker on the rear of the vehicle and trailer, even if the vehicle has a number plate with the Euro symbol or a GB national identifier.
You do not need to display a GB sticker to drive in Ireland.
From 1st January 2021, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in some EU and EEA countries. You will still need to carry your UK driving licence with you.
The type of IDP that you may need will depend on the countries you will drive through.
You will not need an IDP to drive when visiting Ireland if you have a UK driving licence.
You can get an IDP over the counter at the Post Office. An IDP costs £5.50 and drivers must:
You may be insured to drive another leased or owned vehicle from your employer; however, you would need to call us on 01206 257220 to discuss. You are not insured to drive any other vehicles.
You can cancel the agreement and return your vehicle. Any early termination may result in you being liable for a cancellation/early termination fee which will be confirmed to you before you end the contract early.
If you want to opt in or out of a salary sacrifice arrangement, your employer must alter your employment contract with each change. The contract must be clear on what their cash and non-cash entitlements are at any given time.
It may be necessary to change the terms of a salary sacrifice arrangement where a ‘lifestyle change’ significantly alters financial circumstances. Salary sacrifice arrangements can allow opting in or out in the event of a lifestyle change.
Generally, you cannot swap between cash earnings and a non-cash benefit whenever you like; any expected tax and NICs advantages under a salary sacrifice arrangement won’t apply. Some examples considered a lifestyle change:
In the event that you wish to leave your sacrifice agreement prior to the agreed end of contract date, you will need to provide evidence that a lifestyle event has taken place to satisfy HMRC. Should HMRC audit and feel that a lifestyle event did not occur and issue a tax charge, then Knowles Fleet accepts no liability but will assist you as much as possible.
When the employee has an extended period of maternity or sick leave, the full employer’s contribution may be removed, at the employer’s discretion. As a result, you will pay the full cost of the lease car.
If you are on a period of low or no pay, you may be recharge monthly or discuss and agree a repayment plan. On return to work your contribution will be reinstated, based on a new estimate of the annual business mileage if applicable.
If you choose to return the vehicle you will be liable for a financial penalty, on account of early termination of the contract, except in exceptional circumstances.
If you go on to a period of maternity leave during the course of your salary sacrifice agreement, then how you pay for vehicle may change depending on your employer’s policy. Please contact Knowles Fleet for further information.
A relief vehicle can be added to your contract prior to delivery and will provide you with a vehicle if your car is off road for more than 24 or 48 hours due to a mechanical failure (depending on which option is chosen). You cannot add a relief vehicle during the contract. If you would like to consider a relief vehicle, please speak to our ordering department on 01206 252300 option 3
Your first payment will be dependent on your employer’s processes but is usually the next pay run following delivery of the vehicle. Your payment may be calculated on a pro-rata basis to take into consideration the delivery date.
Yes, it is possible to purchase your vehicle at the end of the contract; we require your most recent odometer reading to obtain a price. If you are interested in purchasing your vehicle, please call us on 01206 255420.
It may be possible to extend your contract; however, this will be dependent on the lease company and the condition of the vehicle. If you are interested in extending your vehicle, please call us on 01206 255420.
You can login to your online account at www.knowlesfleet.com and select ‘my account’. In my account, you will see your personal details including your work and home address. You can update any of these details and press ‘Save and Exit’ before leaving the page.
To update the address, select ‘find address’, search your address and select the relevant result. Please ensure you press ‘Save and Exit’ before leaving the page.
You can email us mileage readings at any time at Contracts@knowlesfleet.com. Please ensure you provide readings on a regular basis in order for us to review your mileage. Additionally, include your registration number in the email.
You should report business mileage on a monthly basis by completing a mileage claim form. This may be via our system or an external system, depending on your employer. If you are not sure where to complete your mileage, please call us on 01206 255425.
If you exceed your contract mileage you will receive an excess mileage bill at the end of the contract. The rate per mile will be detailed on your vehicle quote.
If you are aware that you are likely to exceed your contracted mileage, you can contact us for a requote in order to reduce the end of contract bill.
You can find your lease company by going to www.knowlesfleet.com and selecting the Red button. Details of your lease company are also likely to be in your vehicle.
You can find details of when your contract is due to expire by logging in to your online account and selecting Contract Details. Alternatively, please call us on 01206 252300 and we can advise.
Vehicles that meet the Clear Air Zone (CAZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards will be exempt from any charges. To qualify for exemption from CAZ and ULEZ charges, your vehicle must be one of the following:
Qualifying vehicles will not need to be registered with the governing body.
If you plan on travelling into a congestion zone, you will be charged the set daily rate unless your vehicle is one of the following:
Vehicles that emit no more than 75g/km of CO2 and have a minimum 20-mile zero emission capable range will qualify for the 100% cleaner vehicle discount. In order to qualify, you will need to provide some documentation, which we can make available upon request. You will also need to register your vehicle with the governing body, for which there will be an annual fee. To find out more, please visit the governing body's website.
Should you wish to enter a congestion zone as a one-off, it would be best to pay the charge beforehand. If you are regularly entering a congestion zone, you can set up automatic payments via the governing body's website.
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the conditions for any of the above-mentioned zones, you will need to pay the appropriate charge. Failure to do so will result in you being charged additional substantial fines.
For further information on any of these zones, please visit the governing body’s website.
To qualify for the salary sacrifice car scheme your salary must remain above the national minimum wage at all times.
If you have two part time employment posts then one of these posts must be able to support the sacrifice – you cannot combine the salaries.
If you are simply changing jobs within your current employer, in most cases, it will be possible to retain your vehicle. To discuss, please call us on 01206 255425.
Where you are changing employer, it may be possible to transfer the vehicle if you are remaining in the public sector. If you are moving to the private sector, you will most likely have to return your vehicle and pay any applicable termination costs.
In order to investigate if your vehicle can be transferred, please contact us on 01206 257219 prior to handing your notice in. This will enable us to check if the vehicle can be transferred, so that you can make a fully informed decision.
If we are not advised of a potential transfer until just before or after the required transfer date, or if there are any gaps in employment, the transfer may not be possible, and you will be liable for any early termination costs. Therefore, early advice of a possible transfer is essential.
Transfers are not guaranteed.
If you are unable to transfer the vehicle, you will have the following options:
If you request a transfer of your vehicle, a quote will be produced for you on the new employer’s scheme; in most cases you will see a change to the cost.
If you have a vehicle on order, it may not be possible to transfer this. If transfer is not possible, you will be liable to pay any cancellation fees. Please contact us to discuss your options on 01206 257219.
You may be charged a fee to transfer your vehicle due to the administration work involved, this will be advised to you when we take your enquiry.
Yes, the vehicle is owned by the lease company and they have the final say as to whether the vehicle can be transferred to another organisation/employer.
A liquid solution used in some diesel engines to comply with Euro 6 emission standards by reducing harmful nitrogen-oxide emissions.
Any journey undertaken by your on behalf of your employer such as Patient Visits, Meetings, Courses etc
A payment made to you for the completion of business journeys
A tax imposed by the HMRC when a vehicle is provided by your employer for private use
The process of ending your lease car contract before it’s natural end date
The amount of Carbon Dioxide a vehicle emits expressed in grams per kilometre
A motor insurance green card is a document produced by car insurers to prove that a driver has adequate insurance cover for driving abroad.
Any vehicles that are not owned or leased by your employer but are used for employer’s business. This might include a vehicle that is privately owned by an employee or a privately leased vehicle.
Your pay before any deductions such as Tax, National Insurance and Pension Contributions
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Rates set by the HMRC which you can be paid tax free for business mileage undertaken in your private vehicle, any payments over and above these rates are subject to Tax and National Insurance deductions.
A dedicated charging point at home for an electric vehicle as an alternative to using a 3 pin plug, these usually charge faster than a 3 pin plug
This is the amount you will need to contribute towards the cost of an insurance claim, the remainder is paid by the insurer.
The company that owns your lease vehicle
Ministry of Transport test is an annual test for most UK road vehicles over three years old that tests the safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions of a vehicle.
National Health Service Business Services Authority
Pay as you Earn – a system where your employer calculates deductions from your (Tax and National Insurance) and pays this directly to the government.
The rate at which you will pay your pension contributions on a monthly basis, this is usually expressed as a percentage of your salary.
Any journey completed in your workday which does not fall under the definition of a business journey i.e. commuting. Any journey completed in your own time.
Real Driving Emissions - Any new cars sold in the UK and Europe must undergo rigorous emissions testing. Emission testing is normally conducted under lab conditions however, RDE is a test which is used by the manufacturers to test the emissions a car produces under real driving conditions. From September 2019 it has been mandatory for all vehicles to be put through the RDE test. If a Diesel vehicle, after testing, is classified as RDE 2 then it will not be subject to the additional 4% BIK supplement.
A vehicle option added to your contract before it commences that entitles you to a replacement vehicle if your vehicle is off road due to a mechanical failure, usually after 48 hours of your vehicle being off the road.
A payment method taken from your net pay after deductions for Tax, National Insurance, Pension contributions etc have been calculated.
A payment method taken from your gross pay before deductions for Tax, National Insurance, Pension contributions etc have been calculated.
A set of maintenance tasks conducted at specific time intervals or after the vehicle has travelled a certain number of miles. The intervals are specified by the manufacturer and some modern cars display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel.
Vehicle on Hire certificate - Proof of permission to take your vehicle abroad.