Smoke free England boosts car values

The ban, which comes into force next week, should mean fewer ex-fleet cars will be offered for sale with smoker's damage. Therefore fleet owners should see the benefit in improved residual values say the BCA. Operations director for the BCA, Simon Henstock said, “When it is time for it to be sold, a ‘smoked in' vehicle is much less appealing to buyers.

Nicotine stains build up in the cabin, the cigarette smell lingers and almost inevitably there is burn damage somewhere. “Research we have carried out with buyers shows they place presentation on a par with, if not above, a service history or details of previous ownership.” Meanwhile, Skoda revealed this week that 64 per cent of company car drivers were welcoming the ban, with 73 per cent of women drivers favouring the ban more than men. Health risks associated with passive smoking and the permanent taint of smoke inflicted on car drivers were among the reasons listed for supporting the ban.