I've always thought up was the sort of parent who didn't believe in things coming to children too easily and that my DC would have to buy their own first cars (as I did).
However, I seem to have gone one better than giving a car to DS1 and am in fact accidentally running a car for him!
We were a 2 car family and then DH died, just as we were coming out of lockdown and DS1, who passed his test almost 2 years earlier, suddenly had places to go and people to see.
I let him use our 2nd car. I was always clear it was a temporary thing, the car remained mine and that when DS2 passed, they have to share it's use between them.
However, a combination of DS2's lack of enthusiasm and the difficulty finding a instructor and getting a test have meant DS1 has had sole use of the car for much longer than I envisaged. He did pay the extra to get him insured on it and he paid for the most recent service and MOT.
His girlfriend has now got a job "away" and he is talking about going with her. She doesn't drive and the location is remote. It's a good opportunity, but they will need a car. If he has to, he has enough cash to pay the rental deposit on a flat and buy an old banger, or I could sell him our car for less than it's worth, or I could give it to him for his 21st birthday, which is coming up.
There's a part of me which thinks I don't help him by solving all his problems for him, but OTOH there's no point keeping a car I won't use and which at this rate will be an old car itself by the time DS2 needs it. The car is a low mileage 5yo mid range Fiesta, with a small engine, an ideal first car (if you can afford it!)
As things stand I could afford to buy DS2 a similar car for his 21st if he wants one, but we none of us know what the future holds.
WWYD?