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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:
Swimswam · 22/01/2023 13:53

How far apart are your cleaning jobs? Would an ebike be a possibility? Sorry I know it’s not ideal.

OhMyGodnessyMe · 22/01/2023 13:53

I really don't see the problem.

The DH buys the car on a loan, as he can get one, and the OP drives it (and insures herself.)

HotDogJumpingFrogHaveACookie · 22/01/2023 13:54

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 22/01/2023 11:52

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.

Show quote history

Yes your DH can get a car in his name. Named driver applies to insurance, not ownership.

Orangesare · 22/01/2023 14:03

The owner and keeper of the car can be two different people so your DH can own the car and you can be the keeper

GradNonFashinista · 22/01/2023 14:05

I know you said you’d tried for a start up business loan before but who was that through? Because some councils do start up grants, have you tried your council?

Scienceadvisory · 22/01/2023 14:07

Why did you ask your parents when you DH can likely get a loan? Just get your husband to buy it, put yourself as main driver on the insurance and make sure you get business insurance. Job done. And good luck with growing the business.

ThinWomansBrain · 22/01/2023 14:07

save whatever you can towards the new car in a credit union that will be able to give you a loan in time?
as pp has suggested, may be possible for your garage to do the bare minimum to get your car thru its MOT this year?

Original poster
Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 14:11

Reason DH didn't try was because he was rejected for a bank loan as well, so we didn't want to continue messing up both our credit files by applying to everything so we tried mine.

OP posts:
altmember · 22/01/2023 14:17

WeepingSomnambulist · 22/01/2023 11:44

Um, what?

If you make £800 one month and spend £400 then you have £400 saved.
Next month, you make another £800. Are you saying that universal credit will count the £400 leftover from last month as new income? So it is counted twice?

That isnt right.

Show quote history

I think what do it's is saying is that if you have a 'good month', above and beyond your cost of living for that month, then your UC gets reduced because your income is higher. So after the extra tax, ni and UC reduction, you don't have any surplus left to save. And then if you do manage to save a moderate amount, they reduce your UC just for having savings available.

Unfortunately the current benefits system (UC) does not encourage saving or prudence, just for people to live hand to mouth in perpetuity. Tax credits was a lot fairer in this regard because they were calculated on an annual income, not monthly, and you weren't punished for having savings.

VanGoghsDog · 22/01/2023 14:22

Swimswam · 22/01/2023 13:53

How far apart are your cleaning jobs? Would an ebike be a possibility? Sorry I know it’s not ideal.

You know these cost more than a car, right?

dottiedodah · 22/01/2023 14:27

If your DP are off travelling ,could you maybe borrow their car while they are away? Obv Tax and Insurance to be applied .Otherwise while you save up could you go by bus if not too far(Our friend did this while doing his gardening job) Maybe you could use cleaning materials at the clients home. What about grants in your area or a Go Fund Me page

sjxoxo · 22/01/2023 14:27

if you’re in a city what about one of those rental car apps where you can rent a car by the day or hour. Or could you rent a van or car just for the Day/s that you need to travel by car. Also I wondered about an electric scooter or similar?! Could you bike? Not forever obviously but might work for a temporary period. Good luck to you I hope your business goes well for you & this is in the past one day soon xxxx

Blossomtoes · 22/01/2023 14:30

Overthebow · 22/01/2023 11:33

It does sound like you can’t afford an expensive car. I’d either fix your car, or buy a cheap second hand car.

Where did OP mention an expensive car? It sounds to me as if she can’t afford any car without borrowing to pay for it. And there’s no shame in that.

Thatboymum · 22/01/2023 14:32

@OhMyGodnessyMe You are correct the sensible thing to do would be to save and drive bangers but at that time I needed/wanted a safe reliable car and I wasn’t going to get that reassurance from an old banger that likely would never withstand the amount of miles I done at the time. Whilst I totally agree it was a disgusting amount to repay it really helped me rebuild my credit score and trust with lenders which now looks great. It’s about being sensible tho and only taking out what you can afford and considering all the future what ifs

feellikeanalien · 22/01/2023 14:35

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?

OP I had exactly the same thing with a Peugeot that I owned. The electrics would randomly go and my headlights would stay on full beam and the speedo wouldn't work.

I did go to an auto electrician and he did what he could but the fault kept coming back. Eventually he said that he would have to go through all the wiring which would cost a fortune and their was no guarantee it could be fixed.

Do you have any friends who know about cars? I ended up buying a really cheap car which ran for a couple of years which gave me a chance to save up a little to buy a slightly better one.

I also second searching to see if you can get a grant or a loan from a charity or the council. Perhaps even speak to DWP to see if you can get an advance as this is the only way you can continue to work. They probably won't but it might be worth asking.

It's so difficult isn't it.

Sugarfree23 · 22/01/2023 14:37

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.

This is the best option.
Keep your insurance policy as it will be cheaper to have you as main driver too, rather than a new driver whos high risk and who doesnt have any no claims bonus.

bridgetreilly · 22/01/2023 14:39

Honestly, it sounds like your thread title is exactly right, OP: you can’t afford a car. I’m sorry, because if you’re trying to make a go of your new business that’s a huge blow, but you can’t make people lend you money that has a high risk you won’t be able to repay. What if you got ill or broke your leg and couldn’t work? Self-employed people don’t get paid sick leave.

Letschangemyname · 22/01/2023 14:43

Answer to this is save in cash

YouTarzan · 22/01/2023 15:05

Your DH can bu6 a car even if he can’t drive, can’t he? Am I missing something here Confused

OhMyGodnessyMe · 22/01/2023 15:09

Thatboymum · 22/01/2023 14:32

@OhMyGodnessyMe You are correct the sensible thing to do would be to save and drive bangers but at that time I needed/wanted a safe reliable car and I wasn’t going to get that reassurance from an old banger that likely would never withstand the amount of miles I done at the time. Whilst I totally agree it was a disgusting amount to repay it really helped me rebuild my credit score and trust with lenders which now looks great. It’s about being sensible tho and only taking out what you can afford and considering all the future what ifs

I understand.

dollytot · 22/01/2023 15:15

Work your face off until March. 5 days a week cleaning. Save every penny you have. You will get scrap metal money to put towards a car. Look on Facebook marketplace for any good, cheap cars or the auto trader. There are plenty of cheap, reliable cars out there if you look hard enough.

Set a goal and work towards it.

Babyroobs · 22/01/2023 15:16

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.

This is not correct. Savings are not classed as earnings and would not affect your monthly Uc unless they go over 6k.

OhMyGodnessyMe · 22/01/2023 15:16

Rakatakatar · 22/01/2023 14:11

Reason DH didn't try was because he was rejected for a bank loan as well, so we didn't want to continue messing up both our credit files by applying to everything so we tried mine.

But earlier today @Rakatakatar you said this.

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

what do you mean by 'accepted by a car lender?

Do you mean he could have a car on a lease? or on credit from a garage?

Could your parents lend you some money and you pay them back each month as if you were financing a loan? But without the interest? or are they worried you would not repay them? (Or maybe they don't have spare cash.)

Your other options are walking, biking, public transport, or some other sort of work where you can save for a car.

You were a bit short sighted to imagine that with a history of debt you could get a loan but also setting up your cleaning jobs when you knew your car would fail its MOT.

Can't you get some other work that isn't as a cleaner and save towards a car? OR both of you save towards a car ?

MummytoCSJH · 22/01/2023 15:18

If you have 4 months proof of earnings now, in March you’ll have 6 months. Save what you can, even with bad credit once you have the 6 months you’ll most likely be able to get finance it will just be at a higher rate than others may have paid.

Hayliebells · 22/01/2023 15:19

A loan of any kind doesn't seem like a great idea, given your credit history sounds shocking. I think a cheap car most definitely sounds like the best use of that £400, as long as you can pay your bills and eat. You need it work work, so I'm not sure what would be a better use of the money than that, and it's better than getting into debt.