Company car tax explained - You and your fleet manager

Your relationship with your company fleet manager is key to making sure you get the best from company car ownership.

No matter how important your car is to you, it's not your place to boss the fleet manager around or try to harangue them into giving you the car you want.

Remember that fleet managers are busy - their job involves a great deal of administration and demands that they chase and check every last detail. Try not to pester them too much.

The cars you will be offered are usually set out in company policy, and there is rarely much room for negotiation.

However, you can be smart - if off-roaders are off-limits, you can always request a four-wheel-drive estate car.

Latest carbon dioxide emission information to help you make a choice is available on whatcar.com and in the back pages of What Car? magazine.

Remember, too, to peruse the options lists carefully, as they will be taken into account when valuing your vehicle for company car tax rates.

Some companies will insist that you take certain options such as metallic paint, though, as it usually improves the car's resale values.