Figures out last month from the Finance and Leasing Association showed that more than a quarter of a million new car buyers used dealer finance to fund their purchase in the first six months of this year. That means almost half of drivers currently prefer this sort of borrowing to using personal loans or savings, with the majority of these now turning to personal contract purchase (PCP) deals rather than the more traditional hire purchase agreements.
What is PCP?
A PCP requires the customer to pay a certain amount for a set contract period of somewhere between 24 to 48 months. You have the right to drive the vehicle, but the funding company will retain ownership of it until the contract expires.
This is much like a hire purchase, with the main difference being that you can choose to pay a substantial fee at the end to keep the car, waiver the deal at the end or ‘roll' on to a new deal with a new car.
Is it the right option?
PCP lending can be a good option if you like to change your car regularly - say, every three years. It works on the basis that you never actually own the car during the period of your loan.
As well as the flexibility of this sort of deal being attractive to some people, it also offers a hedge against depreciation in the form of the Minimum Guaranteed Future Value (MGFW) figure, or balloon payment.
This is a figure intended to calculate the effect of depreciation and will be the minimum you will have to pay at the end of the deal if you want to buy the car. If you choose not to, you can use the difference between this value and the actual value of the car as a deposit on another. Alternatively, if the car depreciates beyond this value, your dealer should soak up the loss.
Before signing up to a PCP agreement, it's important to remember a few things:
* Check that any PCP deal you take is properly regulated and thus covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This means that, if your circumstances change and you need to exit the deal, you will be entitled to do so as long as you have equalled 50 per cent of the total amount payable and return the car. If your contract is unregulated you could well find yourself trapped with relatively little legal recourse.
* There may also be certain charges involved that you need to be wary of - for example, if you go over the agreed mileage during the term of the contract. Make sure you are confident of meeting all the terms and check on any additional charges before signing.
* Simply put, it may not be the most cost-effective option available. For example, at present, you can find an unsecured loan of between £7,500 and £14,999 at 7.8 per cent typical APR through Confused.com*. It's not likely that any forecourt deal will be as competitive as this, while an unsecured loan could well offer even an even greater saving. Of course, you'll also own the car from day one, so it's worth weighing up the pros and cons of all available forms of finance.
Most importantly, it's key to shop around, whatever finance options you're choosing. Don't feel pressured into taking a deal on the day from a particular showroom if you aren't 100 per cent happy. A dealer may tell you that their offer is only available for a certain time, but more often than not that will simply be a way of pressuring you into buying.
Showing posts with label GMC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GMC. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Top car insurance tips for 17 year olds
Young drivers are often faced with sky-high car insurance premiums because insurers tend to view them as more likely to be involved in accidents. But a few tips and tricks can drive down the cost. For cheap car insurance for 17 year olds in the UK, comparing policies is essential. Cover can vary widely, up to around £3,000 per year for particularly high-risk drivers. Consider these 10 top tips before buying car insurance.
1. Pass Plus
If you've recently passed your driving test, the last thing you want to do is take another exam. But by qualifying on the advanced driving Pass Plus course, you could reduce car insurance premiums by up to a third.
2. Keep your car safe and secure
Better in-car security and parking in a safe place could reduce your insurance premiums. Having an alarm, immobiliser or tracker professionally fitted, using steering or handbrake locks, or parking your car in the driveway or garage overnight, are all ways to cut insurance costs.
3. Consider taking public transport to work
If you use your car to commute to work, it will push up the premium. Use the car for just "social and domestic" reasons and you'll get a better deal. So ditch the wheels and take the bus.
4. Less power = cheaper cover
A powerful car in the hands of an inexperienced driver is a potentially dangerous mix - hence the expensive car insurance. That's why it makes sense for your first car to be a modest set of wheels with a small engine. It will be cheaper to insure, easier to handle, and could be less thirsty on the fuel.
5. Avoid modifications to your car
Any modifications from the "factory fresh" version of your car will cost you extra. Are alloy wheels, fat exhaust pipes and so on really worth it? Basically, if you want cheaper insurance, avoid modified cars.
6. Up the voluntary excess
Voluntary excess is what you agree to pay in the event of a car insurance claim, on top of the compulsory excess. Raising the excess will reduce your premiums, but it does mean you will have to pay more of the costs if you have to make a claim.
7. Start building up your NCB
A No Claims Bonus (NCB) is the best way to reduce your car insurance costs. Unfortunately, you can't get it until you've had car insurance for at least a year. This is because the NCB is a discount off your next year's insurance bill for being a safe, claims-free driver in the previous year. Better still, the more consecutive years you go without a claim, the bigger the discount could be.
8. Keep a clean driving licence
A clean licence is one without any penalty points. If you break traffic laws, you could incur points, a fine, a driving ban, or all three. This is why it's absolutely vital to drive safely if you want to keep insurance costs down. You can receive points for things like driving without due care and attention, driving whilst over the alcohol limit, or speeding. Read more about driving convictions.
9. Pay for car cover in one go
Paying for car insurance in monthly instalments may feel easier on your bank balance but you'll likely pay more over the course of a year. This is because many insurance providers will give you a discount if you can stump up the entire year's premium in one advanced payment.
10. Consider a lower level of car insurance
In the UK, the only compulsory car insurance is Third Party Only (TPO). As such, you are not obliged to opt for more expensive levels of cover such as Third Party Fire and Theft (TPF&T) and Comprehensive cover (Fully Comp or Comp). However, it's vital that you understand the difference between the three levels of cover before choosing, as TPO could leave you with a very expensive bill should your car be involved in an accident.
1. Pass Plus
If you've recently passed your driving test, the last thing you want to do is take another exam. But by qualifying on the advanced driving Pass Plus course, you could reduce car insurance premiums by up to a third.
2. Keep your car safe and secure
Better in-car security and parking in a safe place could reduce your insurance premiums. Having an alarm, immobiliser or tracker professionally fitted, using steering or handbrake locks, or parking your car in the driveway or garage overnight, are all ways to cut insurance costs.
3. Consider taking public transport to work
If you use your car to commute to work, it will push up the premium. Use the car for just "social and domestic" reasons and you'll get a better deal. So ditch the wheels and take the bus.
4. Less power = cheaper cover
A powerful car in the hands of an inexperienced driver is a potentially dangerous mix - hence the expensive car insurance. That's why it makes sense for your first car to be a modest set of wheels with a small engine. It will be cheaper to insure, easier to handle, and could be less thirsty on the fuel.
5. Avoid modifications to your car
Any modifications from the "factory fresh" version of your car will cost you extra. Are alloy wheels, fat exhaust pipes and so on really worth it? Basically, if you want cheaper insurance, avoid modified cars.
6. Up the voluntary excess
Voluntary excess is what you agree to pay in the event of a car insurance claim, on top of the compulsory excess. Raising the excess will reduce your premiums, but it does mean you will have to pay more of the costs if you have to make a claim.
7. Start building up your NCB
A No Claims Bonus (NCB) is the best way to reduce your car insurance costs. Unfortunately, you can't get it until you've had car insurance for at least a year. This is because the NCB is a discount off your next year's insurance bill for being a safe, claims-free driver in the previous year. Better still, the more consecutive years you go without a claim, the bigger the discount could be.
8. Keep a clean driving licence
A clean licence is one without any penalty points. If you break traffic laws, you could incur points, a fine, a driving ban, or all three. This is why it's absolutely vital to drive safely if you want to keep insurance costs down. You can receive points for things like driving without due care and attention, driving whilst over the alcohol limit, or speeding. Read more about driving convictions.
9. Pay for car cover in one go
Paying for car insurance in monthly instalments may feel easier on your bank balance but you'll likely pay more over the course of a year. This is because many insurance providers will give you a discount if you can stump up the entire year's premium in one advanced payment.
10. Consider a lower level of car insurance
In the UK, the only compulsory car insurance is Third Party Only (TPO). As such, you are not obliged to opt for more expensive levels of cover such as Third Party Fire and Theft (TPF&T) and Comprehensive cover (Fully Comp or Comp). However, it's vital that you understand the difference between the three levels of cover before choosing, as TPO could leave you with a very expensive bill should your car be involved in an accident.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Why Use Brisbane Driving Schools
Are you trying to learn how to drive but keep getting really hacked off when your parents try and take you out? They do nothing but nag you and end up making the whole lesson worse rather than better. So what is the solution? Well what about finding your own school that will give you some professional tuition at a reasonable price? In this article we are going to talk about Brisbane driving schools and how they can give you plenty of help and advice too. Read on and tell your parents where to get off!
When you are driving with someone that you don't feel comfortable with then you get really tense and start to get things wrong. This is not the way to learn to drive so the answer is simple. Find someone who you do feel comfortable with and then you will be driving in no time! So where are you going to find this person? You've been through all of your relatives and friends who make you feel nervous so who is left? Well what about a professional instead! Brisbane driving schools are filled with professional driving instructors that can help you to learn how to drive with confidence and without teaching you bad habits that you may learn off older relatives! So where do you find these Brisbane driving schools and how do you make sure that you are going to use the right one? Simple.
The first thing that you should do is to find Brisbane driving schools that are in your local area or willing to travel to you. There is no point in choosing a school that is several towns away from you because this will inconvenience both you and your instructor. Local schools will also know the area and will help you to get used to the routes that you will be using when you pass your test. So once you have found some local schools then you should look at some of the different services they offer. If you want to drive manual, have a female instructor or want to drive a certain type of car then you should make sure that the Brisbane driving schools can accommodate for this. Another thing to look out for is that the driving school instructor s fully qualified and holds all the necessary certificates. These will mean that your instructor is fully qualified and trained to help you pass your test.
The final thing to look out for is block payments for lessons. If you can get a discount by paying for several lessons in advance then this can really help you to save some money. These make a great birthday or Christmas present so make sure that you leave leaflets and drop hints to your parents! Driving is so much fun when you know what you are doing and it really gives you confidence that you have never had so why not make the leap today and find the right driving school for you. Good luck and we hope you pass your test real soon!
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/why-use-brisbane-driving-schools.html
When you are driving with someone that you don't feel comfortable with then you get really tense and start to get things wrong. This is not the way to learn to drive so the answer is simple. Find someone who you do feel comfortable with and then you will be driving in no time! So where are you going to find this person? You've been through all of your relatives and friends who make you feel nervous so who is left? Well what about a professional instead! Brisbane driving schools are filled with professional driving instructors that can help you to learn how to drive with confidence and without teaching you bad habits that you may learn off older relatives! So where do you find these Brisbane driving schools and how do you make sure that you are going to use the right one? Simple.
The first thing that you should do is to find Brisbane driving schools that are in your local area or willing to travel to you. There is no point in choosing a school that is several towns away from you because this will inconvenience both you and your instructor. Local schools will also know the area and will help you to get used to the routes that you will be using when you pass your test. So once you have found some local schools then you should look at some of the different services they offer. If you want to drive manual, have a female instructor or want to drive a certain type of car then you should make sure that the Brisbane driving schools can accommodate for this. Another thing to look out for is that the driving school instructor s fully qualified and holds all the necessary certificates. These will mean that your instructor is fully qualified and trained to help you pass your test.
The final thing to look out for is block payments for lessons. If you can get a discount by paying for several lessons in advance then this can really help you to save some money. These make a great birthday or Christmas present so make sure that you leave leaflets and drop hints to your parents! Driving is so much fun when you know what you are doing and it really gives you confidence that you have never had so why not make the leap today and find the right driving school for you. Good luck and we hope you pass your test real soon!
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/why-use-brisbane-driving-schools.html
Is Tyre Damage Covered by your Car Insurance
Car insurance usually doesn't cover damage to your tyres caused by braking, punctures, cuts or bursts. This means that the general wear and tear of tyres cannot be claimed for on your insurance and you can't make a claim if the tyre is punctured, cut or bursts. Since tyres are not usually covered on your car insurance, it is essential that you keep them in good condition.
Tyres provide traction and friction on the road, which prevents your car from slipping or losing control whilst driving. The surface of the tyre is covered in a pattern or ‘tread' to increase the surface area and increase the traction between your car wheels and the road. If you're driving in wet or icy conditions this increased traction could be vital when it comes to controlling the car.
A new tyre has a tread of 8mm depth and you should change your car tyres when the tread is worn to below 2mm, or when you notice damage to the tyre surface. If you suffer a flat tyre, your car tyre will also need replacing if it can't be repaired. By law, car tyres must have a tread of at least 1.6mm depth across three quarters of the tread width, around the full circumference of the tyre. If you take your car for an MOT, for example and the tread is less than this, your car will fail its MOT. In fact, according to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, defective tyres and wheels was the reason for a fifth of all MOT failures in 2007.
You can check your tyres are in good condition by regularly looking them over. Just walk around the car and look at the surface of the tyres. You can check that there are no sharp objects in the tyre itself and also measure the tread to ensure it's not worn down by overuse. You'll only need to look at your tyres once a month or so before you begin to notice small changes in how your tyres look. You can then take action to protect your tyres just as your car insurance protects the rest of your car.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/is-tyre-damage-covered-by-your-car-insurance.html
Tyres provide traction and friction on the road, which prevents your car from slipping or losing control whilst driving. The surface of the tyre is covered in a pattern or ‘tread' to increase the surface area and increase the traction between your car wheels and the road. If you're driving in wet or icy conditions this increased traction could be vital when it comes to controlling the car.
A new tyre has a tread of 8mm depth and you should change your car tyres when the tread is worn to below 2mm, or when you notice damage to the tyre surface. If you suffer a flat tyre, your car tyre will also need replacing if it can't be repaired. By law, car tyres must have a tread of at least 1.6mm depth across three quarters of the tread width, around the full circumference of the tyre. If you take your car for an MOT, for example and the tread is less than this, your car will fail its MOT. In fact, according to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, defective tyres and wheels was the reason for a fifth of all MOT failures in 2007.
You can check your tyres are in good condition by regularly looking them over. Just walk around the car and look at the surface of the tyres. You can check that there are no sharp objects in the tyre itself and also measure the tread to ensure it's not worn down by overuse. You'll only need to look at your tyres once a month or so before you begin to notice small changes in how your tyres look. You can then take action to protect your tyres just as your car insurance protects the rest of your car.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/is-tyre-damage-covered-by-your-car-insurance.html
Land Rover Defender, the Symbolic British Off Road Vehicle
The British motor industry has experienced some highs and some (more notable) lows over the past 65 years, but one of its undoubted successes has been the creation of the enduring appeal and market-leading off-road experience provided by the Land Rover Defender. While the Defender "badge" has only been in existence since it was first placed on a Land Rover in 1990 (in order provide a point of difference from the Land Rover Discovery) even the most modern Land Rover Defenders are the direct descendents of the original Land Rover Series 1, which first rolled off the production line in 1948.
The original Land Rover was designed primarily for farm and light industrial use. As with subsequent models, the Series 1 was built using a box-section steel chassis and aluminium bodywork. Both the construction method and the very raison d'être of the first Land Rover were born of economic circumstance. The project was aimed at keeping the Rover Car Company busy in the depressed car market of the post-war years, while the Land Rover's construction was a reflection of steel rationing and the abundance of aircraft aluminium in the UK at the time.
The Land Rover Series 2 was introduced ten years later, featuring a 2.25 litre petrol engine, barrel sides and a wider track. These additions saw the Land Rover come of age, with an appearance that would remain unchanged for over 25 years on this off-roading classic. The Series 2A model, which was launched in 1961 and continued to evolve throughout the decade, offered the choice of a 2.25 litre diesel engine as well as a 2.6 litre, 6 cylinder petrol engine on the 109" long wheel-base models. The Series 3 saw the arrival of a fully synchronised gearbox and, in 1976, the 1,000,000th Land Rover made its way out of the factory. Both the Series 2 A and Series 3 were modified as the Land Rover Lightweight for use by the Ministry of Defence. These were capable of being air-lifted by the helicopters of the time and proved to be excellent off-roaders.
The modern-day Defender, as we know it, came into being in 1983 with many refinements - including constant four wheel drive, giving the classic off-road car real 4x4 status for the first time. The Land Rover has now achieved iconic status, with nearly 2 million manufactured since 1948 in 130 countries across the globe. The latest Defender is still regarded as one of the most capable off-roaders on the market, with Land Rover using all of its 4x4 experience to create a vehicle that can tackle the everything from vertigo inducing drops and seemingly unassailable ascents to water-filled ravines and axle-twisting obstacles. It truly is a Great British engineering marvel.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/land-rover-defender-the-symbolic-british-off-road-vehicle.html
The original Land Rover was designed primarily for farm and light industrial use. As with subsequent models, the Series 1 was built using a box-section steel chassis and aluminium bodywork. Both the construction method and the very raison d'être of the first Land Rover were born of economic circumstance. The project was aimed at keeping the Rover Car Company busy in the depressed car market of the post-war years, while the Land Rover's construction was a reflection of steel rationing and the abundance of aircraft aluminium in the UK at the time.
The Land Rover Series 2 was introduced ten years later, featuring a 2.25 litre petrol engine, barrel sides and a wider track. These additions saw the Land Rover come of age, with an appearance that would remain unchanged for over 25 years on this off-roading classic. The Series 2A model, which was launched in 1961 and continued to evolve throughout the decade, offered the choice of a 2.25 litre diesel engine as well as a 2.6 litre, 6 cylinder petrol engine on the 109" long wheel-base models. The Series 3 saw the arrival of a fully synchronised gearbox and, in 1976, the 1,000,000th Land Rover made its way out of the factory. Both the Series 2 A and Series 3 were modified as the Land Rover Lightweight for use by the Ministry of Defence. These were capable of being air-lifted by the helicopters of the time and proved to be excellent off-roaders.
The modern-day Defender, as we know it, came into being in 1983 with many refinements - including constant four wheel drive, giving the classic off-road car real 4x4 status for the first time. The Land Rover has now achieved iconic status, with nearly 2 million manufactured since 1948 in 130 countries across the globe. The latest Defender is still regarded as one of the most capable off-roaders on the market, with Land Rover using all of its 4x4 experience to create a vehicle that can tackle the everything from vertigo inducing drops and seemingly unassailable ascents to water-filled ravines and axle-twisting obstacles. It truly is a Great British engineering marvel.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/land-rover-defender-the-symbolic-british-off-road-vehicle.html
The Real Truth About Material For Automotive Covers
Automotive covers are among the essential car accessories that you need to buy to keep your car in perfect shape, specifically protecting the car's outer covering from any hazards either brought by nature and other external forces. These covers are now flooding both online and offline markets worldwide. Hence, you will no longer find it hard to purchase one either pre-made or customized.
Many online stores offer a wide range of selection for automotive car covers. The choices range in color, size, price and the material of which these are made of. However, this wide array of choices for automotive covers also makes it a bit difficult for anyone to come up with the right choice. Choosing the kind of material for your car cover depends on the type of weather condition in your place.
Many online stores offer a wide array of choices for automotive covers. You have the freedom to pick your choice of material for the best cover that you need to have for your car in accordance with the weather condition in your place that it needs to endure. Here are some of the best materials for automotive covers which you may opt to buy:
1. Noah fabric - this is one of the most popular waterproof car covers. This typically works best for protecting your car against rain and snowfall. This type of auto car cover works well especially in the Pacific region where the rainfall is more often than any other places worldwide. It certainly provides the needed protection especially for cars usually kept outdoors.
2. Ultra tech - This is one of the best materials for car covers. Many car owners prefer to use this because it is light and easy to fold when not in use. It is also known for being fade resistant. Hence, you need not have to change it more often than any other types of materials. This is also affordable and fits to nearly all types of budget including those who are really bugged by the recent economic crisis. Affordability and being fade-resistant are among the best qualities of this material making it perfectly good to use on automotive covers.
3. Polycotton - This material for auto car covers is known for its durability to last. It is touted to be puncture-free. This particular material for automotive covers is not only water resistant but also tear and rot resistant making it really worth every penny you need to spend for it. Because of these properties, more car owners opt for this particular type of material for their car cover whether they shall purchase pre-made by manufacturers or have it customized according to their personal taste and preference.
These are among the best materials for car cover worth checking out when you need to have one to give utmost protection for your cherished possession. Whichever among these choices you shall buy depends on the specific type of protection that your car needs. Thus, you should choose accordingly before you buy any type of automotive covers.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/the-real-truth-about-material-for-automotive-covers.html
Many online stores offer a wide range of selection for automotive car covers. The choices range in color, size, price and the material of which these are made of. However, this wide array of choices for automotive covers also makes it a bit difficult for anyone to come up with the right choice. Choosing the kind of material for your car cover depends on the type of weather condition in your place.
Many online stores offer a wide array of choices for automotive covers. You have the freedom to pick your choice of material for the best cover that you need to have for your car in accordance with the weather condition in your place that it needs to endure. Here are some of the best materials for automotive covers which you may opt to buy:
1. Noah fabric - this is one of the most popular waterproof car covers. This typically works best for protecting your car against rain and snowfall. This type of auto car cover works well especially in the Pacific region where the rainfall is more often than any other places worldwide. It certainly provides the needed protection especially for cars usually kept outdoors.
2. Ultra tech - This is one of the best materials for car covers. Many car owners prefer to use this because it is light and easy to fold when not in use. It is also known for being fade resistant. Hence, you need not have to change it more often than any other types of materials. This is also affordable and fits to nearly all types of budget including those who are really bugged by the recent economic crisis. Affordability and being fade-resistant are among the best qualities of this material making it perfectly good to use on automotive covers.
3. Polycotton - This material for auto car covers is known for its durability to last. It is touted to be puncture-free. This particular material for automotive covers is not only water resistant but also tear and rot resistant making it really worth every penny you need to spend for it. Because of these properties, more car owners opt for this particular type of material for their car cover whether they shall purchase pre-made by manufacturers or have it customized according to their personal taste and preference.
These are among the best materials for car cover worth checking out when you need to have one to give utmost protection for your cherished possession. Whichever among these choices you shall buy depends on the specific type of protection that your car needs. Thus, you should choose accordingly before you buy any type of automotive covers.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/the-real-truth-about-material-for-automotive-covers.html
The Car Wash: Washing away Legal Requirements?
In the news recently, there has been much controversy regarding the activity of many car washes in the UK, with the car wash association stating that up to 80% of hand car washes do not act in accordance with legal requirements.
It is claimed that, due to the nature of cash in hand payments, car washes may be a hot bed for workers who are not legally allowed to work in the UK. There are of course, many car wash companies in the UK that do comply to regulations, with a focus on environmentally friendly techniques and rigorous safety conditions. Those car washes that do apply to regulations feel as though they are being short changed by those companies who ignore these legal guidelines. Operating legally of course costs more, involves more paperwork and administration than avoiding these requirements. Employees who do not pay national insurance or income tax are avoiding certain civic responsibilities on which this country is based, and for many car wash owners this is putting a black mark on an otherwise necessary and lucrative industry.
Last year, a car wash in Colchester was found to have been operating with three men working who held no valid work permits, these men, originally from Milawi are now faced with deportation from the UK. The problem here is not the workers who are acting illegally, but more so the employers of these people who have allowed this to happen in their business. Company owners need to ensure that they check legal documents and Visas before hiring any potential employees and further make sure that they are taxed correctly and in accordance with their pay.
The car wash has had for some time a bad reputation as hubs for criminal activity. There are now approximately ten thousand more hand car washes in the UK than there was ten years ago, and many are beginning to think that they are an easy way of running a business and avoiding the law.
In Manchester in 2007 three men were arrested after a raid on an illegal car wash for employing men without the legal papers to work in the UK, for money laundering and also for trafficking drugs. With stories such as this constantly seen in the press it is no wonder then that the car wash is building up a bad reputation
.
This however, is a great shame. There are many car wash companies in the UK that do operate under legal requirements, and offer excellent services at inexpensive prices. Not only this, but hand car washes offer an excellent way of providing people with employment opportunities, something that is becoming increasingly rare as machines continue to take over humans for certain labour jobs.
It needs to be the case that those car wash companies who do operate legally salute themselves for doing so, and do not feel disheartened that they are paying extra costs and taking up extra administration that other car washes are managing to avoid. The police are continuing to monitor car washes that look as though they may be operating illegally and hopefully these can be wheedled out so that we are left with a proud industry that offers an invaluable service and added employment to many communities across the UK, something that is increasingly becoming a necessity in these difficult times.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/the-car-wash-washing-away-legal-requirements.html
It is claimed that, due to the nature of cash in hand payments, car washes may be a hot bed for workers who are not legally allowed to work in the UK. There are of course, many car wash companies in the UK that do comply to regulations, with a focus on environmentally friendly techniques and rigorous safety conditions. Those car washes that do apply to regulations feel as though they are being short changed by those companies who ignore these legal guidelines. Operating legally of course costs more, involves more paperwork and administration than avoiding these requirements. Employees who do not pay national insurance or income tax are avoiding certain civic responsibilities on which this country is based, and for many car wash owners this is putting a black mark on an otherwise necessary and lucrative industry.
Last year, a car wash in Colchester was found to have been operating with three men working who held no valid work permits, these men, originally from Milawi are now faced with deportation from the UK. The problem here is not the workers who are acting illegally, but more so the employers of these people who have allowed this to happen in their business. Company owners need to ensure that they check legal documents and Visas before hiring any potential employees and further make sure that they are taxed correctly and in accordance with their pay.
The car wash has had for some time a bad reputation as hubs for criminal activity. There are now approximately ten thousand more hand car washes in the UK than there was ten years ago, and many are beginning to think that they are an easy way of running a business and avoiding the law.
In Manchester in 2007 three men were arrested after a raid on an illegal car wash for employing men without the legal papers to work in the UK, for money laundering and also for trafficking drugs. With stories such as this constantly seen in the press it is no wonder then that the car wash is building up a bad reputation
.
This however, is a great shame. There are many car wash companies in the UK that do operate under legal requirements, and offer excellent services at inexpensive prices. Not only this, but hand car washes offer an excellent way of providing people with employment opportunities, something that is becoming increasingly rare as machines continue to take over humans for certain labour jobs.
It needs to be the case that those car wash companies who do operate legally salute themselves for doing so, and do not feel disheartened that they are paying extra costs and taking up extra administration that other car washes are managing to avoid. The police are continuing to monitor car washes that look as though they may be operating illegally and hopefully these can be wheedled out so that we are left with a proud industry that offers an invaluable service and added employment to many communities across the UK, something that is increasingly becoming a necessity in these difficult times.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/the-car-wash-washing-away-legal-requirements.html
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