Loss of car

[SimonMaidenhead]

Some advise would be much appreciated. I've been with the same company for over 20 years now and have had a company car provided. We were taken over recently and the cars are being changed, from a clapped out old vectra to a new BMW 3 series diesel, all that is except mine. I've been told that my position doesn't warrant a car and therefore I can keep the old vectra for the time being until they decide to get rid of it, and after that my car wouldn't be replaced.
I will not be getting a car allowance and will not get any increase in wages to compensate for the loss.
Do I have any rights or is it a case of hard luck?
Just to point out, the car is not mentioned in my contract but a do have past P11D's to prove I have had the car and paid all taxes for it.

TIA

[SimonMaidenhead]

bmw535i said:

If you're not entitled to a car, then i think the company is being fairly generous in allowing you to keep one for the time being.

Thanks for the response, not quite sure what you mean by "entitled".
Am I entitled to one as I've always had one and therefore formed part of my salary. Admittedly I do very few business miles per year, but the miles I do make the company a lot more than the cost of the car.

[SimonMaidenhead]

Eric Mc said:

What does your employment contract say?

No mention of a car in the contract, just always had one.

[SimonMaidenhead]

plasticpig said:

Does the employer have any expectations as to what sort of car you should turn up in to see its clients? Would turning up in your Ultima perhaps send out the wrong message?; or are they providing a pool car or hire car for you business mileage?

Now that would be quite amusing , there was no mention of hiring a car or a pool car being made available. Train or bus were mentioned as alternative modes of transport.

[SimonMaidenhead]

bmw535i said:

Again - this does not constitute an entitlement.

You are quite right sir, however I seem to recall that once you had a perk like a car or healthcare for more than 4 years it automatically became part of your contract, written or not.
I stand to be corrected on this by some one who knows the law regarding this.
Don't mean to sound like a whining employee, I'm just a bit peeved that after 20 years, I'm having effectively a 10k pay cut.

[SimonMaidenhead]

flyingjase said:

Usually these 'perks' are at the employers discretion so I suspect that you don't have a leg to stand on if it's not in your contract.

I'm not sure that the loss of a company Vectra is a £10k pay cut though??!!!

As someone said, you will save the company car tax and a Vectra can be bought for a couple of grand, and I suspect you will then get the benefit of a higher business mileage allowance when you do go out on business.

Having said all that, this action seems a bit harsh after 20 years of service and having given you a car throughout that time.

I'm not sure what you do, but perhaps it's time to move on?

You make very valid points, particularly at the end. I came to the figure of 10k based on the replacement bmw's that the vectras are being replaced with, what with insurance, tax, devaluation etc I reckoned on 500 a month, so 6k a year. That is after tax of course so a gross of nearer 10?

[SimonMaidenhead]

clived said:

How have you worked out that losing a Vectra is worth £10k per annum?

The same way the government tax me on it, the cost of a replacement new vehicle.
As in my post above, take into account servicing, tyres, insurance, tax and depreciation I think £500 a month or 6k a year is a fair assumption, therefore I need to gross 10k to net 6k roughly.