Selling company cars can become unexpectedly costly for business owners. Special regulations can quickly complicate the process. We talk to Ronny Jähnig, founder of autolos.de, a platform specializing in online car purchases, offering a tailored service for entrepreneurs looking to sell their company vehicles.
Note: When selling company vehicles, there are a number of legal and tax pitfalls that can vary from country to country. In the following interview, Ronny Jähnig always refers to the legal and tax situation in Germany.
BI: Mr. Jähnig, you are the CEO of autolos.de, an online car dealer that purchases used cars from private as well as business customers. Today, we’d like to focus on selling company cars. What makes autolos.de different from other dealerships and platforms, and how can your service benefit entrepreneurs?
Ronny Jähnig: Thank you for having me. We specialize in making the car-selling process as simple and stress-free as possible, whether for private individuals or businesses. Our service is particularly attractive to business owners because the entire sales process can be handled online—essentially from the comfort of their office or home. This saves both time and costs, something that’s rarely the case when selling cars. Normally, you’d have to visit a dealership, which can take up an entire day. There are travel times, test drives, and waiting periods for paperwork. This is valuable time that employees could be using for their actual work. We wanted a solution that is faster and more convenient. With us, customers receive a fixed price offer upfront—free and non-binding. If they accept, we schedule a pickup, conduct a brief check, and take the car directly—at their chosen location. There’s no need to leave the office at all.
What are the typical challenges when selling business vehicles, especially entire fleets?
The biggest issues are often things people don’t initially consider—tax liabilities, warranties, and even the company’s reputation. One of the main challenges is the time-consuming organization required. Entrepreneurs must coordinate with tax advisors and often arrange for a new vehicle simultaneously. Even selling just one car takes significant effort. Business owners also want to ensure they get the best possible price without lengthy negotiations or endless viewings. That’s where we come in. Within a minute, customers receive an estimated price on autolos.de. Then, in a brief call, we gather a few more details. One of our experts can also address any specific concerns directly. After that, we provide our best offer—simple as that. The seller doesn’t have to leave their office, and we handle everything, including picking up the vehicle at their chosen location. It’s a straightforward and efficient process, even for multiple cars.
You mentioned a company’s reputation. How is that relevant when selling business vehicles?
It’s an important issue that many overlook. A company’s reputation can suffer when selling used cars—especially if defects surface later. If a buyer is dissatisfied, they might leave negative reviews on Google or other platforms, which can damage a business’s credibility.
Speaking of defects, what about warranty obligations? Do businesses have to provide a guarantee when selling company cars?
Yes and no. Guarantees are voluntary, but warranties are mandatory. Generally, business owners selling a car must provide a legal warranty for defects, known as liability for material defects, which lasts for two years. However, this period can be reduced to one year in the contract—but only if clearly stated. Even then, there are legal pitfalls: the wording must be precise and legally sound. Ultimately, even with a reduced period, a used car sale still carries a warranty risk. Unlike private sellers, businesses cannot exclude liability when selling to private buyers. If they sell to another company, however, they can fully exclude warranty claims in the contract. This makes B2B sales more attractive. That said, contracts must be carefully drafted to avoid future disputes.
What happens if a business sells a fleet vehicle to autolos.de? Do they still need to provide a warranty?
Ronny Jähnig: No, absolutely not. When a company sells vehicles to us, it’s considered a B2B transaction. In this case, we explicitly exclude any legal warranty from the contract, meaning the business owner does not have to cover any defects that might arise later. This is a major relief for companies, as they avoid potential costs and legal disputes. We also ensure a smooth and transparent process, handling all necessary paperwork so the seller has nothing to worry about.
How does the selling process work with autolos.de for business vehicles?
It’s a simple and efficient process: enter vehicle details online, receive a free offer, schedule pickup. On autolos.de, sellers can get a price estimate in under a minute. Then, in a short phone call, we gather any additional details necessary for an exact valuation. For fleet sales, we offer a tailored and time-efficient process. If the seller accepts our offer, we pick up the vehicle on-site—free of charge, including de-registration. Most importantly, payment is immediate and secure—no waiting or uncertainty.
When is the best time to sell a company car?
The optimal timing depends on several factors. Generally, I recommend selling when a vehicle is no longer cost-effective. As cars age, maintenance and repair costs increase, and unexpected breakdowns can disrupt business operations. Replacing older cars with newer, more efficient models can save costs and improve employee satisfaction. A good benchmark is just before the car reaches 100,000 kilometers, as vehicles with lower mileage tend to fetch higher resale values. Tax considerations also play a role—selling before the car is fully depreciated can reduce taxable profits. However, every business should align car sales with its overall strategy, such as switching to electric vehicles or downsizing its fleet to free up capital.
What advice do you have for businesses transitioning to electric vehicles or reducing their fleet size?
Time is incredibly valuable for business owners. Many entrepreneurs have great ideas but too little time to execute them. Selling company cars is just another time-consuming task. My advice: outsource it. We make selling any type of car quick and hassle-free, allowing business owners to focus on their core operations. When transitioning to electric vehicles, careful planning is essential. Charging times, real-world range, and long-term costs should be considered. The technology is still developing, and not all repair shops have the expertise to handle electric cars. Even authorized service centers sometimes lack experience, leading to longer downtimes and higher costs. For small businesses that rely on every vehicle, this can be a challenge.
What should business owners consider when selling company cars to get the best price?
They should look at the big picture. Selling privately may bring slightly higher prices, but the time, effort, and risks often outweigh the benefits. In terms of the car itself, having all relevant information—mileage, equipment, maintenance history, and condition—can impact the sale price. We understand this process can be cumbersome, which is why we buy vehicles in any condition, including high-mileage cars, accident-damaged vehicles, and those with incomplete service records. Business owners appreciate our streamlined process, personal service, and the fact that we handle everything, from valuation to vehicle deregistration, free of charge.
What makes autolos.de stand out from traditional dealerships or online platforms?
The biggest advantage is time savings. Business owners don’t have to deal with lengthy negotiations or inconvenient showings. Most of the process happens online or over the phone. We also guarantee transparency—no hidden fees, and instant, secure payment. Unlike some competitors, where payments take days, we transfer funds immediately. Additionally, there’s no need to bring the car to us—we come to the seller, making it ideal for businesses with multiple vehicles.
Finally, what’s the secret to your success?
Ronny Jähnig: We think from the customer’s perspective. People dislike haggling and long processes. Our fixed-price offer and free vehicle pickup address these concerns. Plus, we believe in personal interaction. In an era of automation, real human contact matters. A quick conversation can solve many questions, leaving customers with peace of mind, whether they’re selling a single car or an entire fleet.
Thank you, Mr. Jähnig, for the insightful conversation!
My pleasure, and thank you for having me!
We conducted this interview in December 2024.