Buying a vehicle for your business can be a daunting task. With so many options to consider, from makes and models to financing and legal requirements, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To make matters worse, choosing the wrong car can cost your company time and money down the road.

By understanding the factors you need to consider from start to finish when acquiring a business vehicle, you can make an informed investment decision that truly supports your company’s financial bottom line.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Car For Business

If you’re in the shipping industry, you may have considered buying a vehicle for your business to increase your delivery output, reduce delivery times, and take on more clients.

Whether you’re operating in shipping or a different industry, you should take the time to weigh the following key factors before dedicating the funds needed to buy a car or start building a fleet.

Benefits of Buying a Car Under a Business Name

Pro: Tax Advantages

When you buy a car under your business’s name, you can deduct certain expenses, including gas, maintenance, ownership costs, auto loan interest, and depreciation.

Pro: Protect Your Personal Insurance Rates

Business auto insurance covers business vehicles, so you don’t have to worry about your personal insurance rates going up after an accident. Using a commercial vehicle for personal reasons, on the other hand, can impact your personal insurance rates.

Pro: Streamline Business Operations

The right company car can improve efficiency and allow you to provide better service to your customers. For example, small businesses that offer local delivery can use company vehicles to make more deliveries, expand their delivery area, and offer faster delivery times.

Cons of Buying a Car Under a Business Name

Con: High Upfront Costs

Buying a company car is a major investment, and depending on the state of your business, it can be difficult to justify such a large purchase.

Con: Maintenance Costs

A company car will require ongoing maintenance, adding to the costs you must consider before purchasing.

Con: Impact on Business Liability

The more you use your company vehicle, the more you open your business to liability risks. You’ll also need to buy business auto insurance to cover this new liability.

12 Tips For Buying a Car Under Your Business

To get the most out of your investment, you need to establish your budget, consider what type of vehicle your business needs, and consider ongoing costs before buying a business car.

1. Determine Your Budget

Your budget will influence other decisions, such as buying vs. leasing or choosing new vs. used, so establishing your budget in advance is important.

To give you a rough idea of how much you can expect to spend on a new company car, here’s how much some of the more popular business vehicle models cost:

• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: $49,900
• Chevrolet Express: $38,100
• Ford F-150: $33,835
• Toyota Camry: $26,420

Remember that on top of the upfront cost of the car, you also need to consider ongoing expenses, like maintenance and gas. According to AAA, the average annual cost of owning a new vehicle is over $12,000.