fuel costs

[annamaria24]

Can anyone please help me,the AA let me down.
I need to find out about the fuel consumption for my car. My employer wants to know in order to pay me the miles I do in my own car. It is a W-reg,Nissan Almera Ambition 1.4 petrol car.
Thanks in advance,
Annamaria

[woodchopper]

Best way to find out is to fill the tank up - zero the trip recorder - drive until almost empty - fill back up to the same level - record the litres of petrol added - divide by 4.55 which will tell you the number of gallons and divide the mileage recorded by the number of gallons which will give your actual mpg and not the ridiculous figure the manufacturers quote.

[shero101]

Hi annamaria. Depending on driving conditions you should expect 30 - 35mpg for your car. If you tell your employer you get 30mpg it should cover you. I have to say most employers pay a set rate or at least base it on engine size.

[shero101]

...couple of other points: If you are using your car for company business you must make sure you are insured for business use. Also you should be compensated for more than just fuel as ware and tear needs to be considered.

[Andy Boz]

Miles per gallon in quoted figures is generally done very gingerly in a wind tunnel with a perfectl tuned car, an impecible driver, and perfect conditions. In reality stop/start motoring, with busses pulling out in front of you, traffic lights and other factors will all afffect the figure.
Why do you not suggest they pay a fixed rate per mile?I believe the Inland revenue figure is 35 or 40 pence per mile, seen by them as a reasonable amount.
Suppose you get a puncture whilst on company business, who will cough up the �50 or so, you or them?
Perhaps a tax adviser type person could advise better

[buildersmate]

You seem to have a stingey employer. Many pay the maximum allowed under IR rules which is about 40p per mile for the first 2500? miles then about 25p per mile after that. The apparently high rate is to compensate you for the things others have listed above. Perhaps tell your employer to hire you a car if they are that stingey.

[annamaria24]

Thanks so much for your help.
Feel a lot more educated in this area now.
Annamaria