UC Self employed mileage allowance

[Whatnottoweartomorrow]

Posting for traffic really sorry!

Long story short: really crap last 18 months, now on UC start up period for Self employment, going well so far.

First three months I've put my van diesel in as ACTUAL cost, so exactly what I've paid for in diesel which is about £170 a month, mixture of city driving and a couple of long journeys a week, not unusually heavy loads.
The UC coach has asked me to go back and do mileage rates instead at 45p for first 833 miles, then 25p for the rest. I've done 914 miles, so it's over £300! Surely this isn't right?!

I've sent a journal note explaining this, but don't want it coming back to bite me later.

Any help greatly appreciated xx

Should have removed poll!

The mileage rates take into account wear and tear on yiyr vehicle so I would imagine it would be.

UC rates are different to HMRC rates too

HMRC
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-travel-mileage-and-fuel-allowances/travel-mileage-and-fuel-rates-and-allowances

UC
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide/business-expenses-you-can-report-to-universal-credit-if-you-are-self-employed#:~:text=We%20will%20use%20a%20flat,every%20mile%20over%20833%20miles

Same rates - different change point from higher to lower rate.

I travel for work and can claim back MAPS at 45p a mile plus 4p for additional passengers. It's not just fuel, it's wear and tear on the vehicle too. I don't claim UC so I don't know if there is a difference there, but MAPS is used for business mileage for employees own vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/expenses-and-benefits-business-travel-mileage/rules-for-tax

I'm driving to north Wales next week and will probably be claiming back £300, or near enough, based on previous journeys and my travel while up there.

Just use HMRC published figures, some kind person has posted a link above, and you will be fine. That is what HMRC will expect to see, but keep good records of your work mileage, my DH used to keep a detailed log of work journeys, in a notebook he kept in the car, date, time, place, start mileage, end mileage, place, time, (the rest was home use). A bit over kill probably but he could give chapter and verse if required, which I don't think it ever really was.

The rates might seem high, but you're selling yourself short by just accounting for diesel as you also need to account for e.g. motor insurance, tax, MOT and service costs, and also wear and tear on the vehicle. The mileage rates take these additional costs into account.

Thank you for all your responses, especially the links. It makes sense!