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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To declare car sorn and leave for son rather than sell?

12 replies

Unacceptable · 31/08/2015 14:39

Currently a 2 car family but for past year have only used one car.
Tax is due to run out on one of cars. It'd be a lovely first car for someone but has high mileage so will probably sell for under a grand.

DS is a year away from taking driving lessons, if he was driving the car would definatley go to him.

AIBU to leave car on drive for at least a year rather than sell it and look at buying another when he passes his test?

I am a bit nervous about the idea of selling it (never sold a car before) and who knows whether or not we'd be able to get DS a car as good as this one when he's driving without spending a fortune
It's not in the way on the drive but DM is insisting it is ridiculous to leave it there when we could sell it.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 31/08/2015 14:40

You would need to check whether he could get insurance on it either at a reasonable price or at all.

Hissy · 31/08/2015 14:45

Your mum is a bit of an idiot, it makes better sense to keep it. Get it serviced and if you can get it inside a garage, do so, might be worth starting it every so often. Ask mechanic what else you should do to make sure it doesn't deteriorate.

XCChamps · 31/08/2015 14:52

I doubt selling it and trying to buy another in a year's time would make financial sense, but I wouldn't want to leave it completely unused for a year either. I'm no expert but I don't think that's good for a car. If at all possible I'd tax and insure it and use it occasionally to keep it ticking over.

I know you used to be able to get "classic car" insurance for vehicle that will do very low mileage, which was very reasonable.

XCChamps · 31/08/2015 14:55

Oh yes, SoupDragon makes an excellent point about insurance. If the car is to be "his" the cost of insuring it in his own name can be £1000s even for a very ordinary car. It might be cheaper in the long run to keep it as your car with him as a second driver, which you can do legitimately if it is your car - harder if you're insuring it just for him to learn in.

Original poster

Unacceptable · 31/08/2015 15:25

Good point re:insurance.
I think It would be quite low, especially if he is named driver in policy with DH but might check that now to help me decide.

OP posts:

lardyscouse · 31/08/2015 15:33

Check how much tires cost. You will definitely need new ones after a year laid up, plus a quick overhaul... probably just under a grand. sell it.

XCChamps · 31/08/2015 15:33

I used to think that too Unacceptable, but they've really cracked down on parents being the named as the main driver on cars that are really only driven by the child.

If DH has his own car, it could be considered insurance fraud if DH claims to be the main driver on a second car but isn't, which is why it might be better to legitimately keep the car as yours and drive it occasionally. Even low insurance group cars are extortionate for a 17yo to insure.

RiceBurner · 31/08/2015 16:20

I think you might find the cheaper the car the higher the insurance which is a bummer. So you might be better off getting your DS a newer car for the cheaper insurance.

Example, my daughter aged 23, (clean licence held for a few yrs), was quoted ~£5k pa (3rd party) for an old (but good) Fiesta we were getting rid of. So we scrapped it and bought her a nearly new Dacia Sandero instead. Then the insurance was 'only' about £1k pa, full comp!

No logic really. They probably assume you will be more reckless with an older car and more careful with a newer on maybe?

Also having an old car on the drive and not being used might not be great for it? (Eg after all that time, it might not pass its MOT?)

Original poster

Unacceptable · 31/08/2015 16:54

Wow.
The insurance would be huge!! I think maybe we might sell it and he can get his own car in years to come.
Our kids have got it really tough.
No way they'll afford their own place, even renting is a dream. No way they'll be driving their own car any time soon.
I'm feeling very sad for them now

OP posts:

Original poster

Unacceptable · 31/08/2015 16:55

Also. I really really hate it when Mother is right

OP posts:

nokidshere · 31/08/2015 17:06

My friends son just got his first car and insurance. He is 17. For his own insurance with his mum as a named driver was £700 per year. Its an old car.

y0rkier0se · 31/08/2015 19:04

I bought my first car at 18 two years ago, same position as your kids - parents couldn't afford. I used my student loan, paid £910 for a 13 year old Skoda Fabia and £1500 for insurance, but it's gone down to £850 a year now. Love my little car. Don't despair too much

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