What does 6% car allowance mean?

[happynewme]

Been offered a job with 6% car allowance. Was too embarrassed to ask what it actually meant!

Probably that you get a lease value for a car up to 6% of salary. There is normally a deal struck with selected manufacturers to provide favourable terms and you get a list showing which models cost what from which to choose. Occasionally you can take a cash alternative if you don't require it for the job itself.

What if I already have a car that I want to use?

You should get the cash instead. At least both me and DP do so we've pooled our allowance to get a better car.

Does it mean 6% of your salary?

It either means that you get an allowance of 6% of your salary to go towards car expenses (either through a lease, loan repayments or other payment) or it could mean that 6% of your stated salary will come in the form of a payment towards the car (as above). So it is important to find out if this allowance is on top of the stated salary or is part of the total.

im(limited!)e it is % on top. Some companies operate a flexible scheme whereby you get a % allowance on top of basic salary and can use it for a car, private healthcare, buy extra days holiday and so on or take the balance in cash, others may limit it to car expenses.