The firm questioned "grey fleet" drivers to see if they would opt into a salary sacrifice scheme if their current car needed replacing. A total of 78% said they would take up the offer if it included a competitive monthly lease cost along with tax savings.

'The beauty of salary sacrifice is that it meets both of those financial requirements handsomely,' said Andrew Hogsden, senior manager of Lex Autolease's Strategic Fleet Consultancy.

'Firms may be inclined to withdraw or cap benefits during difficult economic periods, but salary sacrifice is a great cost-effective way to do the very opposite. It's a superb tax-saving device, which by its very nature helps avoid wage price inflation.

'But there are other benefits too. Putting more employees into a company car scheme is good for retention, recruitment and morale. The running costs are manageable too because the scheme comes into its own when applied to frugal, low-CO2 cars. Vehicles that firms and their customers would much rather see them drive, than a clapped-out banger.'