Crusader Vans become BVRLA members!

Crusader Vans have become members of the BVRLA
After 18 months, Crusader Vans has finally become members of the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association). Just so that you have some idea of how relevant the BVRLA is, they represent some 800 members who between them run more than two million vehicles and who buy 45% of all new vehicles sold in the UK. Our membership number is 1589 and we are very proud to call ourselves members.
So, why has it taken so long?
The BVRLA have very strict criteria to meet. Involvement in the industry does not automatically qualify us for membership. We have been through interviews with the board, our premises have been vetted by our local area rep, and we have had to prove to the BVRLA that we meet their required standard through our everyday working process.

Becoming a member of the BVRLA, gives us the credibility of belonging to a professional trade body. BVRLA members are quality assured and operate under a code of conduct. This gives you the customer the confidence that you are dealing with a reputable company and we will offer you the highest levels of service.

2010 Number Plates

Here at Crusader Vans we have inquisitive minds and have been wondering what the new number plates will look like in March 2010. We are currently on the ’59 plate prefix as of September 2009 but where will we go from March 2010......?

Registration plates on today’s vehicles were first changed in September 2001. The format since then has been two letters at the beginning known as ‘local memory tags’, followed by two numbers to indicate the year of registration, known as ‘age identifiers’, followed by three more elements known as the ‘random element’.
Number plates are changed every 6 months to indicate the half year using a 0 or a 5. For example the first half of 2009 is shown as 09 and the second half as 59.

So, what will happen when we move into double figures next year?
From March 2010 the age identifier will be 10, followed by 60 in September 2010. In March 2011 the age identifier will be 11, followed by 61 in September 2011.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) say this pattern will continue until all the permutations are exhausted. This is expected to be 2050.

Regardless of what type of number plate goes on your next new vehicle, make sure you speak to one of the sales team at Crusader Vans to get the very best price on next commercial vehicle. Call us FREE on 0800 955 5055!

VAT Increase

The standard rate of VAT was temporarily reduced to 15% on the 1st December 2008 and will return to 17.5% on the 1st January 2010. What will this mean for commercial vehicle sales?

Many people are under the misconception that if they order their new vehicle now but don’t take delivery until after the VAT increase on the 1/1/2010 then the vehicle will be at the old VAT rate of 15%. This however is untrue. The VAT rate is determined by the tax point which in the case of new vehicles is the delivery date. So even if you have paid for your vehicle in full but it is not delivered until after the VAT increase, you will need to pay the increased rate of VAT based on the date of delivery.

To avoid paying the higher rate of tax on any vehicle purchases it is important to place your new vehicle order as soon as possible so that delivery of your new vehicle can take place before 31/12/2009. The cut off point for vehicles to be delivered before January 2010 will probably be somewhere around the 10th December 2009.

Here at Crusader Vans we are able to help you save over 40% off the UK dealer list price on most makes of commercial vehicle, so why not place your order today and not only benefit from great discounts but also beat the VAT increase.

Fiat Scudos with Huge Savings

If you require a mid size van that is also economical, then the Fiat Scudo L1 H1 1.6HDi 90PS panel van has to be top of your shopping list. This is especially true if you spend the majority of your day doing stop/start town driving. Due to the lower engine size, less fuel is used each time you stop and start, keeping fuel consumption low and costs down.
Here at Crusader Vans, we like to think that we provide our customers with the best value for money. That’s why we have ordered a batch of the Fiat Scudo’s with a host of additional options. These include the dual passenger seat with passenger airbag, the Microsoft based Blue & Me Fiat hands free Bluetooth system as well as a full steel bulkhead. This brings our Scudos up to a very competitive spec with excellent prices!
New legislation brought in by the EU requires all company drivers who are asked by their employers to make or take calls whilst driving as part of the job to have a hands free method of calling. The Bluetooth system is in our opinion is the best method as it allows complete hands free integration with your existing van and phone. Some of the better options on the market are supplied by Parot who boast a range of different models from headsets to fully integrated audio solutions.

The Fiat BlueTooth kit, developed by Microsoft specifically for Fiat is hard wired into the vehicle so you can be sure of smooth and trouble free operation.

For more information on our current Scudo deals please click here or if you want to discuss a tailor made package please give us a call on 0800 955 5055.

Blog by Shane