COMPANY car buyers are in danger of making costly mistakes by ordering the wrong vehicles due to the complexity of car badging systems. Tiny alterations in vehicle badges represent huge differences in engine performance and specification, and could lead to company car drivers facing serious increases in their benefit-in-kind tax bills.

With Saab, for example, the difference between a capital and lower case T means the difference between a £20,465 Saab 9-3 2.0T SE, and the £19,115 Saab 9-3 2.0t SE. The different t and T indicate different power engines because of high and low pressure turbos.

Gary Axon, Saab manager of product strategy and communications, said: 'We have highlighted this issue with our colleagues in Sweden, however we are not aware of any case where the wrong vehicle has been mistakenly ordered.'

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned fleet decision-makers and drivers they must take responsibility for ensuring the correct details are supplied when ordering vehicles. Mistakes could cost fleets hundreds of pounds because cars turn out to be more expensive than expected, and spark lengthy battles with suppliers over replacing the vehicle.