How am I ever going to get another car?

[KingKhazi]

I'm on very low income. Work 3 days a week in a low paid job. Topped up by UC. Live alone. No dependants. No pets. With UC I probably get 1200 a month maximum.
My car is on its last legs. I've spent more than its actually worth lately to fix it because it's still cheaper than getting a new car.
I have around £150 currently in my savings account.
At the end of each pay period.(paid 4 weekly) I'm lucky if I've got £50 left.
Increasing work hours/getting a better paid job is completely out of the question due to health issues.

I need a car as live in a rural town. I work in the next town over. No buses/trains.

How on earth am I going to afford another car?
Went to a massive second hand place yesterday (the one advertised on TV with that annoying silent advert). All the cars were at least £150 per month with a deposit of £1500 plus £299 admin fee.
No way could I afford a car up front. I'd be lucky if I got £500 for mine.

There is nothing I can cut down on bill wise. Don't have broadband, Netflix, any subscription to anything like that. My mobile phone is £25 a month for sim only.

What the fuck do I do?

That sounds really tough and I'm coming at this from no experience so please forgive me if I'm being hopelessly naive, but if your earning power is so restricted due to health, is there not a top up benefit that would be applicable? I suppose the obvious other question is can you not manage some WFH hours in an admin job? I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be along but if you can give more details of the nature of your I'll health they might be able to give more relevant help .

You won't get any car for £150, not a road worthy one anyway.

Put an ad on Facebook marketplace and locally, believer it or not, there are people out there who do give away old cars, you might get lucky.

If you only have £50 left a month though, you can't really afford to run any car. You need to think long term and figure out how to live without one. You could spend £1000 today on what seems like a good car but have a £1500 bill next week for a repair.

Moped?

You can’t afford o buy and run a car on your income realistically. You’re only working 3 days a week. If you need a car then you could up your hours at work or get a second job to pay for it?

I think you’re going to find lots of people in your position over time. Cheap car deals are becoming far less common and as petrol/diesel cars are phased out the days of getting an old car will be impossible.

What options do you realistically have OP? I assume something like an electric bike isn’t going to work for you?

*an old (cheap) car

Moped seems a good answer, Second hand can be very economical.

How far is work? Can you cycle?

Moped. Much cheaper to buy and run.

I agree- moped, electric bike, bike.

You can't afford to run a car on that income. Though you get comparatively more than other families I've come across on universal credits (1500 inc top up for three children). Unless a family member can help you out.

Ffs.
Do people not read the full post?
Op has given lots of information and has clearly stated that she is unable to work anymore hours due to health issues.

If you're in Norfolk/Suffolk/Cambridgeshire then it's worth looking at this charity which hires out mopeds at low cost to people on low incomes.
https://kickstartmopeds.org.uk/

If you're in another part of the country then there may be a similar scheme.

You say you can't work more hours, or do something better paid due to health issues. I don't understand why your health prevents you doing a better paid job doing the same number of hours 🤔

If a moped is an option, then perhaps Wheels to Work may be able to help.

If you had to manage without a car could you see if anyone was willing to offer car share so at least you could get a lift to work and back cheaply without a bus or train available,

It won't help with the car issue, but you can get a sim card for a lot less than £25 a month-check the MoneySavingExpert website.

Yes definitely ! Mine is £7.00 a month.

I think you might need to advertise to car share, are there any schemes in your area? Longer term you need to look at moving so you are near public transport.

Could be the type of job
Mine is low paid but they're brilliant, happy to move my hours, let me take time off for bloods/doctors etc, and I have reasonable adjustments and increased sickness triggers
I would probably lose a new job in probation with my sickness

If you're not a member of a local credit union, then I'd suggest looking out for one - they are a low cost way of saving money and, more crucially, borrowing some when necessary. They're also staffed by friendly & helpful volunteers, so provide a much more supportive service than a bank.

My sim is only £8.50 per month. £25 seems a lot.

I did read the full thread, but if OP can’t afford a car and one is essential to them then really the only option is to earn more money. If OP can’t manage more hours in their current job, which appears to be in another town, then it could be possible to get a working from home job as well to make a bit more money.

Can you get public transport to work? I know you say you live Rurally but it's only 3 times a week perhaps it is doable if inconvenient.

Just a thought, could you put a similar post on “Go fund me “ site and see if you achieve enough donations to purchase a new car?
Or are your health issues severe enough to apply for PIP ( Personal Independence Payment) which then may entitle you to apply for a Motability vehicle?

What you spend in repairs, MOT, tax and insurance, can you not taxi to work X3 days there and back, you can set up a regular account with a taxi firm?

Can you advertise on Facebook for someone who would give you a lift for petrol money ?