Medium term leasing is growing quickly as a method of providing a quality company car to new staff during their probationary period, say Equalease.

The Manchester-based company, one of just a handful of leasing companies that has developed three to twelve month car leases as a specialist product, says that demand has increased rapidly since the start of the recession.

Managing director Paul Ashton said: “The recession means that employers are even more keen to take a good look at probationary staff over an initial three or six-month period to ensure that they are the right person for the job before committing.

“However, these people often need a company car however their employers do not feel prepared to commit to a new car purchase or to take out a long term three or four year lease until the employee becomes permanent.

"In addition, many companies have ceased to operate a pooled car fleet out of which a car could have been provided.”