Pros and Cons of Buying a Car for Business

Buying a car for business is one of the easiest escape routes for people who are finding it difficult to secure a good-paying job or even keep paid employment. With a car of your own, there are quite a number of businesses you can do and still have time to yourself.

example, you can start a taxi business, and partner with e-hailing service providers like Uber, Lyft, Bolt, etc. You can also rent out the car, or use it for advertising (mobile billboard). The bottom line is that buying a car for business comes with loads of opportunities that can make you financially stable.

But it is important to also note that buying a car for business comes with some drawbacks that if not well-managed may lead to regrets. In this article, we will write about the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of buying a car for business.

Pros of Buying a Car for Business

1. Opportunity to Be Your Own Boss

One of the pros of buying a car for business is the fact that it will give you the opportunity to become your own boss. Whether you choose to start a taxi business with the car, or you choose to rent out the car, you will still be your own boss.

Interestingly, if you are your boss, you will have the freedom to do whatever you like with your time, and most importantly, you will work on your terms.

2. You Will Have Time for Yourself

Another advantage of buying a car for business is the fact that you will have time for yourself. The truth is that when you own a car that you use for business, especially if you are the one driving the car, you will work on your own terms, and you will have time to spare. You will have time to spend with your family, friends, and any other recreational activities.

3. You Can Set How Much to Earn

When you buy a car for business, one of the advantages you will likely enjoy is the fact that you can set a target of how much you can earn per week or month. As a self-employed person who is using his or her car for business, you may decide to work over 12 hours per day if you want to increase your earnings.

4. You Will Be Mobile

Another pro of buying a car for business is the fact that with the car, you automatically become mobile especially if you are the one using the car for business. When you are mobile, it is easier for you to discover new places, come across business opportunities, and meet new people.

5. You Will Have What You Can Use as Collateral

Lastly, another advantage of buying a car for business is the fact that you can easily use the car as collateral when you want to take a loan from the bank.

The truth is that if you have a car that is used for business, it is easier for a bank to give you a loan because they can easily get their money back because you would have deposited the original document of the car (vehicle license and particulars) with the bank when applying for a loan from them.

Cons of Buying a Car for Business

1. Initial Cost and Depreciation

One of the major disadvantages of buying a car for business is the fact that purchasing a car involves coughing out a huge amount of money.

As expected, when you purchase a car for business, you will be required to also secure all the necessary documents and that will enable you to put the car on the road. Note that the money will not appreciate but depreciate because cars depreciate in value over time.

In essence, the value of the car you purchase for business will decrease as you use it, and this can impact negatively on the asset value.

2. Ongoing Operating Expenses

Another disadvantage of buying a car for business is the fact that you will incur ongoing operation expenses that might impact negatively on your income if the car is problematic.

Aside from the fact that you are expected to budget money for ongoing operating expenses like fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance premiums, and licensing fees, you also be required to pay more if perchance the vehicle is always off the road due to a breakdown or accident. Trust me, these costs can add up over time and impact your business’s bottom line.

3. Administrative Complexity

Another disadvantage of buying a car for business is the fact that you will find it difficult to handle the administrative complexity that comes with using your car for business. The truth is that keeping track of the various expenses that are associated with a car that is used for business can be administratively complex for a rookie who is just starting out in the business.

Unfortunately, in the United States of America, you are required to maintain accurate records of mileage, fuel expenses, maintenance costs, and other relevant financial information for the purpose of filing for tax.

4. Resale Value and Technology Obsolescence

As stated earlier in this article, cars start depreciating once it is registered and on the road. So, one disadvantage that you will be confronted with when you buy a car for business is the fact that the car will start depreciating, and the resale value will drop because the technology that was used in the car will become obsolete over time.

In this era where technological trends change with rapid astonishment, technological obsolescence can render your car less attractive to buyers, affecting its resale value.

5. Overworking Yourself

Lastly, another disadvantage that comes with buying a car for business especially if you are the one driving the car is the possibility of always overworking yourself. This is possible if you take a loan to purchase the car.

You would want to do all that you can to meet up with paying the loan, paying insurance, car maintenance, personal financial needs, and family financial demands amongst others. With that, you will be caught in the web of working late every day and starving yourself of leave or time of rest.

In conclusion,

It is important to note that the decision to buy a car for business or not will to a large extent depend on you and what you want to achieve and the time frame you want to achieve it. This is why we advise that you go through all the pros and cons listed above before making a decision.