Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can't afford a car then?

266 replies

Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 11:29

I'm self employed, started my own business domestic cleaning 4 months ago. Has been doing really well, just gone up to 3 days a week.

My car is on its last legs, it has MOT due in March but it isn't worth saving as it's a 2006 model with a heap of problems.

I assumed I'd be able to get finance of some form but nope. Nowhere will accept me, being self employed without 6 months proof of earnings is working against me, plus I have bad credit from years ago.

This morning I decided to suck it up and ask my parents for a loan. They said no 🥴

Anyone been in a similar position? What did you do?
I'm worried that if I can't get a car sorted I won't be able to work and then I'll really be screwed.

OP posts:
Kennykenkencat · 22/01/2023 11:46

DonutsAreNotLunch · 22/01/2023 11:42

I’m in universal credit and recently started as self employed. It’s a nightmare because if you try and save up to make any big investments for the business the money that you save counts as income that month so your uc would be reduced accordingly. The only option you have is to get a loan of some kind and pay it back monthly.

It is your earnings that reduce your income. Savings only count against you when you reach a certain amount and I don’t think op has to worry about that

Overthebow · 22/01/2023 11:48

Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 11:45

RE the MOT, last year it failed so the garage "repaired" all the faults to get it to limp through the MOT and then literally as I was driving it home all the electrical faults came back. When I spoke to the garage they said it needed an auto electrician to look at it which would be costly and in thier words not worth the price of the car.

Do I save all my money for a cheap car or do I save all my money for an auto electrician?

It may not be worth the price of the car but to you it is if you can’t get another. You’re going to have to go for one of those options so see how much both would be and go from there.

WeepingSomnambulist · 22/01/2023 11:48

So this car thing had been a problem for almost a whole year? You knew this was coming.
Didnt you try and save? I know how hard that ca be but your car seems essential so surely you've been trying to save for a new one?

2bazookas · 22/01/2023 11:49

Think about a scooter or electric bike instead.

Local hire shop replaces all its electric bikes every year and sells off the last-year models.

JaggySplinter · 22/01/2023 11:49

Is there any chance you can use a different type of transport? I can't afford to run a car, so we have just had to structure our lives around using bikes and busse to get around. It does mean huge compromises on where we go and what we can do.

wonderstuff · 22/01/2023 11:49

Do you live somewhere where you can survive without a car for a few months? Do you know how much scrap value the car has?

subtoprem · 22/01/2023 11:50

Post on Facebook or next door for your area, explain that you're skint and really need your car to work, and ask if there's an auto electrician who would look at it cheaply/for a beer for you just to find the fault. You may have a friend who has a qualified friend who could help.

People do this all the time in my area and have had really kind offers from others to help them out.

ThreeLittleDots · 22/01/2023 11:50

Get it through the MOT, keep it on the road. Use your funds to fix it because you don't have any realistic alternative.

Wednesdayschildhasstubbedhertoe · 22/01/2023 11:50

I would apply for a loan for your business, there are government loans for start ups. Because presumably you will lost your business if you don't have a vehicle?

Original poster
Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 11:51

Possible solution. Not sure if anyone here can advise.

DH is currently learning to drive, he is almost at test level. He has better credit than me and has been accepted by a car lender. He can take out the car in his name right? And I can drive it as well as him?

OP posts:
whataboutsecondbreakfast · 22/01/2023 11:51

Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 11:45

RE the MOT, last year it failed so the garage "repaired" all the faults to get it to limp through the MOT and then literally as I was driving it home all the electrical faults came back. When I spoke to the garage they said it needed an auto electrician to look at it which would be costly and in thier words not worth the price of the car.

Do I save all my money for a cheap car or do I save all my money for an auto electrician?

You may have no choice but to pay for an electrician then.

A decent second hand car is going to cost you a lot more than 1k - it may be better to stick with the car you know, iyswim.

Wednesdayschildhasstubbedhertoe · 22/01/2023 11:51

If you can't afford a car and can't afford to fix this one, and can't borrow I can't see what else you can do. But I would definitely check you can't borrow, because you may be able to for your business even if you can't for your household

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 22/01/2023 11:52

Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 11:51

Possible solution. Not sure if anyone here can advise.

DH is currently learning to drive, he is almost at test level. He has better credit than me and has been accepted by a car lender. He can take out the car in his name right? And I can drive it as well as him?

If you're only going to be a named driver then you can't be the one to drive it the majority of the time, so be careful.

JudgeRudy · 22/01/2023 11:52

It sounds to me like your underlying problem is you have linited finacial knowledge. You say you could just about muster £400 in the next two months but it would leave you short, yet you were hoping to borrow substantially more to buy a better car. How were you intending to pay it back then. You seemed surprised that the bank have declined a loan yet you've only been working 2 days a week, recently upped to 3. I'm unsure what your profits are butviceouldnt describe that as doing well.
Your parents have declined a loan likely because they are aware of your former track record with money.
It's not too late to change but you need to be realistic. Save up for a banger in March. Continue to save the money you would have used to pay for the car loan plus some. Build up your business then purchase a better car. Maybe by this time next year you would be eligible for a loan or could lease a more reliable car.

Wednesdayschildhasstubbedhertoe · 22/01/2023 11:52

Yes that might be your best bet to get him on the road and get second driver insurance

Pyewhacket · 22/01/2023 11:53

Get your DH to buy the car and insure you to drive it. That's what I would do And your old car must still be worth something.

Wafflefudge · 22/01/2023 11:53

This is a bit of a random suggestion and might not be helpful but at the local authority's near me employee's can get a car loan through work meaning no need for credit checks so you could look at working as a cleaner for the local authority as well as your business or instead of.
Some places require you to have worked with them for a year before you are eligible so might not be any good.

Ihateboris · 22/01/2023 11:55

Do your parents have a car?Could you be put on their insurance until you have saved enough for a car?

MisgenderedSwan · 22/01/2023 11:55

If you have 4 months of earnings now will you have 6 months by March? Then apply again for a loan?

Is there any way you can build credit? Do you have a credit card you use and pay off regularly?

rothbury · 22/01/2023 11:55

Do you not have public transport where you live?

If the business is not viable, you might be better off getting a job.

WeepingSomnambulist · 22/01/2023 11:57

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Fluffyhoglets · 22/01/2023 11:58

Yes your DH can get a car loan for a car he buys and then you get insured as the main driver. I assumed you were a single parent saying you had no other options but your dh buying the car clearly is an option.
I can see why your parents wouldn't loan you money if you have a husband who could dort this out.

Coasterfan · 22/01/2023 11:59

There are some bad credit car finance companies around, have you looked at these? In 2015 I was self employed and had poor credit and couldn’t get mainstream finance, I ended up paying back 12k on a 7k loan though so the interest is ridiculous to reflect poor credit and the risk they are taking. I had no choice though I needed a decent low mileage car for work as I was doing 1000 miles a week at that point. Apologies if this is terrible advice but if you are desperate have a look at the subprime lenders, check the trustpilot reviews though as some are awful.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 22/01/2023 11:59

Yes but they did fix it enough to pass MOT so they can do that again!
Tell them to do that.
Do not buy another car yet. Try and squeeze as many months out of this car as you can.

Last yr the car I had failed first time but this year it passed first time. So you just don't know what will happen. Just tell them you NEED the car to pass

Redburnett · 22/01/2023 12:00

Make sure your insurance is business use for you if you do insure it in DH name. Might be better to insure in your name if he is a newly qualified driver, adding him as named driver. Check insurance group before committing to buying next car.

Swipe left for the next trending thread