Is a second-hand company car the smart choice for your business?

What you need to know

• Second-hand company vehicles can be a cost-effective solution for self-employed professionals and SMEs.
• Demand for operational leasing of second-hand vehicles continues to grow in Belgium.
• Operational leasing offers the same tax treatment and all-inclusive services as a new vehicle, but at a lower monthly cost.
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is one of the best ways to compare the real cost of different mobility solutions.
• Because the first owner’s depreciation has already been absorbed, the TCO of a second-hand company car is often particularly attractive.

“Operational leasing of a second-hand vehicle combines the best of both worlds for entrepreneurs: all the benefits of an all-inclusive package, at a lower monthly cost.”

Eddy Mutombo

“The Belgian second-hand vehicle market is booming. In 2025, 64% of all vehicle registrations were for second-hand vehicles,” explains Eddy Mutombo.

“Arval Belgium is one of the country’s leading providers of vehicle leasing and mobility solutions. As part of an international group operating in 28 countries, we support large organisations, SMEs, self-employed professionals and private customers. Our retail operational leasing offer is designed for businesses with between one and ten company vehicles.”

Operational leasing for a used company car: lower costs, faster delivery

Arval’s operational leasing offer also includes second-hand vehicles. “We were one of the pioneers of operational leasing for second-hand vehicles in Belgium, launching the service back in 2021,” says Eddy Mutombo. “Since then, other leasing providers have followed suit. Demand for this type of leasing has grown strongly and there is still plenty of potential for further growth. Within Arval, around 70% of our second-hand operational leasing contracts are with self-employed professionals and SMEs – a much higher proportion than among larger companies with extensive vehicle fleets.”

So why is operational leasing of a second-hand company car proving so popular with smaller businesses? “Because it combines the best of both worlds,” explains Mutombo. “Entrepreneurs enjoy all the advantages of an all-inclusive package, with fixed monthly payments covering maintenance, insurance, taxes and a range of other services. The lease is based on an agreed term and mileage, while benefiting from the same tax treatment as a new vehicle. This simplifies vehicle management and gives businesses much greater certainty about their mobility costs.

At the same time, monthly payments are lower because the initial depreciation has already been absorbed by the first owner. For entrepreneurs, who naturally keep a close eye on costs, that can make a real difference. Another advantage is that second-hand vehicles are usually available much sooner, whereas a new vehicle can sometimes take several months to arrive.”

TCO for second-hand vehicles: the true cost

To better understand the total cost of a vehicle, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) has become the benchmark across the mobility sector.

“TCO is essential for comparing different offers objectively,” says Eddy Mutombo. “It takes into account every cost associated with a vehicle throughout its lifetime, including fuel or electricity, taxes and its residual value. For example, a diesel company car may appear more attractive at first than a second-hand electric vehicle on operational leasing. But once you calculate the TCO, the picture can look very different. In many cases, the TCO of a second-hand company car on operational leasing proves highly competitive.”

For self-employed professionals and small businesses, mobility costs can have a significant impact on cash flow. Yet they don’t always have the time or in-house expertise to analyse those costs in detail.
“TCO provides a clear and straightforward overview. That’s why we include it in all our proposals. We’re also here to help customers assess their needs and compare the total cost of different vehicles and mobility solutions, whether they choose to buy or lease,” concludes Mutombo.

Frequently asked questions about operational leasing of second-hand vehicles

Can I take out operational leasing for a second-hand company car?

Yes. Operational leasing is available for second-hand company cars, including vans. The lease conditions are the same as for a new vehicle, and the tax treatment is identical.

Does operational leasing include maintenance and insurance?

Maintenance is included in the fixed monthly payment, together with other costs and services such as taxes, roadside assistance and tyres. Insurance can also be added as an optional extra.