An 18-year-old wannabe agent was left frustrated after being told she could not be shortlisted for a trainee role because her car was more than 10 years old.
Alanah Thompson French, from Burton Joyce in Nottinghamshire, applied for a trainee lettings negotiator position with haart in Nottingham in December 2025 but was told her application could not progress because her vehicle did not meet the company’s requirements.
As part of the online application, candidates were asked whether their car was under 10 years old.
Thompson French, who owns a 2014 Citroen C1 like the one pictured, selected “no” and later received an email stating that access to a vehicle under 10 years old was a condition for the role.
DISCOURAGING DECISION
She said the decision was discouraging, particularly as she is trying to start a career in the property sector.
“It’s just a bit of a kick in the teeth,” she told BBC Nottingham. “When you’re applying for loads of jobs and get an email back saying that, I just don’t understand it.”
Thompson French said she bought the car for £2,800 earlier in the year and that it has been reliable, with low mileage and no mechanical issues.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
In a statement, haart told the BBC that the requirement was based on safety and reliability considerations.
“Evidence from motoring organisations shows that the likelihood of mechanical problems increases as vehicles get older,” the company said. “For that reason, and in line with many organisations that require staff to use their own cars for work purposes, our policy is that vehicles should normally be under 10 years old.”
Employment lawyer Danielle Parsons of Irwin Mitchell told the BBC such policies could raise concerns, particularly for entry-level roles, if they risk excluding younger or less affluent applicants.
