An 18-year-old job applicant was rejected from a trainee lettings position at Haart’s Nottingham branch because her car failed to meet the company’s vehicle age requirements.
Alanah Thompson French applied for a trainee sales negotiator role but was informed her 12-year-old Citroen C1 did not meet the agency’s policy requiring staff vehicles to be less than 10 years old. The car age requirement was part of the online application process.
Thompson French, who currently works in a coffee shop, purchased the vehicle for £2,800 last year. The car had one previous owner and less than 40,000 miles on the odometer.
Candidate response
“It’s just a bit of a kick in the teeth because obviously when you’re applying for jobs, you’re applying for loads and loads of jobs and to get an email back saying that… I just don’t understand it,” Thompson French told BBC News.
“It doesn’t seem fair because how am I meant to afford a bigger and better car? And how am I meant to get insured?” she said.
Agency policy under review
A Haart spokesperson acknowledged the concerns, stating: “We understand why our car policy may feel frustrating for some applicants, particularly those starting out in their careers, and we recognise the concerns that have been raised.”
The agency explained it previously provided company cars to new employees, but tax costs made this “unaffordable in practice” for many early-career workers. The current model allows staff to use their own vehicles.
“For roles that involve regular travel, often over long distances and sometimes working alone, it is important that vehicles are reliable and suitable for the demands of the job,” the spokesperson said.
The company confirmed it is reviewing the policy “to ensure it remains appropriate and supports our ambition to attract new talent,” particularly for those entering the property industry.
Industry implications
The case highlights potential barriers to entry for young workers seeking careers in property, where vehicle requirements may conflict with the financial realities facing first-time buyers and early-career professionals. The policy review may influence how other agencies structure their vehicle requirements for field-based roles.
