A report from leasing company Arval suggests that one in four vehicles used on business could be at risk.

These cars have been dubbed grey.

So-called grey cars are drivers’ own vehicles used for business travel.

They are called ‘grey’ because of the lack of known information about such vehicles.

These vehicles are potentially poorly maintained and incorrectly insured raising fears for driver safety, says Arval.

And potentially putting small business owners at risk of prosecution.

Because employers fail to check basic details about private vehicles.

The report highlights:

• 83% of businesses have no procedures in place to check that non-company cars are regularly maintained;
• 74% of businesses do not ask their employees for a valid MOT certificate for their vehicles;
• 35% of businesses do not check the driving licences of non-company car drivers; and
• 53% have no policy for knowing that the vehicle is insured for business use.

The report says small businesses, which lack vehicle management resources, are most at risk from the grey fleet.

“Businesses must face up to their duty-of-care responsibilities and realise that they are responsible for the welfare of their employees when on the road for business purposes, whether they are driving a company car or not,” commented Superintendent Mark Bird, Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit.

Read more on this business issue

• There’s further information on the risks small business owners face in our story Small businesses ignore duty of care issues.
• We also have a special report on Supporting staff safety for at-work business drivers.

Business use of private vehicles a health and safety hazard