I am currently on UC (been on it for 2.5y, will be getting back to work next year when youngest child is 2, on way to 3yo).
I will have some inheritance coming at some point, not sure how much but likely in the region of £40-45k so obv my UC claim will close.
I have approx £6k debt currently under a DRO which I will have to pay off.
I have an old car which is broken, to say the least. Breaks down so much that my breakdown cover have previously asked to see proof that I’d taken it to a garage, which I had of course. Plus it has numerous issues which are just ongoing.
I need a car as I live in a little village, children go to playgroup in a different location, oldest child will start school next year elsewhere which will be a 1.5hr, 2 bus journey to get to by public transport. I also provide some care for my elderly mum who has significant health and mobility issues (I’m not her official carer as I don’t do enough hours each week but she wouldn’t leave the house if it wasn’t for me taking her to medical appts, plus I do jobs which she is simply unable to do).
I need a slightly larger car as I have 2 bulky rear facing car seats and also my mum can’t get in/out of a standard car without significant difficulty due to them being too low. She also needs space to straighten her leg to try and minimise her constant pain.
When I return to work next year, I will be returning to my previous field of work, prob 2/3 of my previous jobs have had a requirement for travel, which of course needs reliable transport.
Ive started looking around at cars to get an idea and to get an SUV several years old which would suit my needs and also (hopefully) spend more time on the road than at the garage, I’d be looking to spend approx £15k ish, as a rough est. Will obv keep as low as possible. I’d part x my current car but wouldn’t anticipate getting more than £1-2k for it.
Ive asked on some fb UC groups and people seem to think £4k would get a decent, reliable car that will last and that I’d be depriving myself of capital to spend £13-14 (after part x). I really don’t want to go from one unreliable, stressful banger to another. Some of the people even seem to think I’m some sort of criminal looking to exploit the system, which I most certainly am not, hence why I’m trying so hard to clarify where I stand. I can’t find any clear guidance from UC. I don’t need much else, my fridge freezer is over 10yo and makes random funny noises so I’d like to replace that before I lose a freezer of food, my daughter has nearly outgrown her toddler bed so I need to get her a single bed and my mattress is nearly 10yo and very uncomfortable so I’d like to replace that but none of those will be anything fancy so my question really is about what’s reasonable for a family car that will last (I’m a single parent of 2 so even when I go back to work, I won’t have money to spare to replace a car so I need it to last me a long time).
is anyone able to shed any light please or does anyone have any personal experience of this sort of situation?
thanks