Employers need to ensure that cars driven on company business are properly serviced, according to the Fleet Safety Association (FSA).
FSA spokesman Steve Johnson advised that the ownership of the car is irrelevant when it comes to safety standards.
He said: “As far as we are concerned, the regulations make it quite clear that employers certainly do have an obligation to ensure that vehicles driven for business reasons, irrespective of how they are funded, are fit for purpose and entirely legal and responsibility cannot just be passed off onto the individual employee”.
The FSA's stance was echoed by Minister for Transport, Stephen Ladyman: “If a vehicle is used on business, then the company is responsible for it. That's it.”
