Off Topic Owning a Car

I have never felt the need to drive, I have always worked where using a car was not necessary and essential.

My hobbies do not allow me to use a car.

The only time I have thought having a car would be handy is doing a supermarket run, with this I can take a taxi.

For me, living in London it is not essential to have a car.

A lot of my friends are not reliant on a car, is this strange?

 

Yes.

 

Are you saying it is essential to have a car?

 

depends on your interpretation of the term essential... will you die if you are not able to drive, NO... does being able to drive and owning a car make life far easier, YES

 

It depends on each individuals circumstances, would you agree?

 

yes and no, if you have never been able to drive you don't miss it... like never have been in love... but once you have been able to drive and then are not able to you miss it a lot.

 

So there you are, it depends on each individuals circumstances.

 

Didn’t learn to drive until I was 40 odd have hated it ever since but needed it for work.if I reach 60 will stop and go back to public transport has job changed

 

I imagine that you probably did not use the car much outside of journeys for work?

 

I can drive but I hate it, much prefer public transport.

 

Snr also dislikes driving and it's his job!

 

I hope your father is at ease with his job during these difficult times.

 

I've been driving for yonks but have grown to despise it over the last couple of years. I actually hate it now.There was a time when I'd happily jump in the car and drive six hours just to take pictures of a rural church or a stone circle, but now I tailor my plans around public transport networks. I actually shudder when I think of driving around London, which is bizarre considering that was something I used to merrily do on an almost daily basis. I wish I didn't hate driving, yet I doubt I will regain even a modicum of passion for it.

 

Central London is smothered by bus and cycle lanes, 20mph zones and beggars who pester motorists at choked traffic light junctions.
Not to mention the congestion charge.

I won't drive there anymore. I rarely drive anywhere within the North or South Circular roads (with the exception of the A12 to Blackwall Tunnel).
Since the lockdown my average weekly driving mileage has dropped from about 100 to less than 25.

Owning a car (even a reliable old one that isn't worth much like mine) is quite expensive.
Hundreds of pounds in tax, MOT, breakdown cover and service charges, and about £1000 for insurance worth having - per year.

I don't mind that as such - owning a car is my choice and my responsibility.
But it isn't for everyone.

 

After failing it’s MOT I hate my car - we missed out on the 6 month holiday given

 

Bad luck.

Mine passed its MOT with no work needed (not even any advisories) about a fortnight before the lockdown.
First time in 5 years it has passed without needing at least some work first.
I'm a careful driver, but my wheels are getting on a bit.

 

Why was that?

 

Long story but basically we didn’t get our usual reminder from garage and we forgot

 

Can you not pull them up for that and get some compromise?

 

Bad luck indeed.

I guess the 6 month holiday is only for cars awaiting MOT but the old one has just expired (so not actually failed).
Once it's actually failed during a test, that's that.
Seems harsh though.

The guys who do my test usually ring me once it has failed (which it usually does on some minor issue) and ask if I want the fault fixed and a re-test straight away.
I always agree to this, since I trust them not to rip me off.