That's the finding of Enterprise Rent-A-Car following a survey of small and medium enterprises.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that the so-called "grey fleet" – employee’s own vehicles, used for work purposes – comply with the law. In its research, Enterprise Rent-A-Car found that, of those businesses that allowed employees to use their own car for work, 40% did not undertake any checks at all. Just one in four businesses who allow employees to use their own car bothers to check the vehicle’s suitability.
 
Perhaps of more concern, employees’ insurance details are not checked by 60% of SMEs, leaving employers open to significant issues and risks.
 
Rob Ingram, director of business rental at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said: 'Businesses prepared to let employees drive their own cars for work must begin to understand that they have a responsibility to ensure their employees’ cars are fit for purpose and employees are licensed and insured appropriately.
 
'That means that they have to face the consequences of any unlicensed drivers or uninsured vehicles. However, many aren’t conducting even the simplest of checks to ensure that their workers’ vehicles are suitable for business use and workers are insured and licensed to drive them.'

He added: 'This is a tough time for business and every perceived money-saving tactic must look tempting. But it is a false economy to send vehicles onto the road that are not roadworthy and businesses will pay a heavy cost for doing so.'