Dorsetmike
Member
My car just passed its annual MOT - (roadworthyness test) the mileage when the test is done is recorded on the pass certificate, checking last years cert, it appears I covered 412 miles/663Km in the year!
It cost me about £140 for road tax, £353 insurance, £186 for servicing and about £70 for fuel or about £1.80/$2.90 per mile.
I'm hopefully changing the current car for a slightly newer diesel which will cut the road tax to about £30, and cut the fuel cost to about £35 for the same mileage. I can also cut the insurance by about £100 by changing insurers.
Strange how the quotes differ, if I ask for a renewal quote direct from my present insurers site I get £353, if I go to one of the comparison sites the same insurers quote is £292!
If I decided to not run a car my options for getting about would be walking - not really an option with breathing problems and the fact that to get to local shops means a steep uphill start- Taxi - less convenient and costly over any distance - bus - uphill walk to nearest bus stop (but free bus pass once I get there!) Not really convenient for long distances. Other public transport would need taxi to reach nearest train or long distance coach station and cost, especially train, is high, convenience limited by having to adhere to timetables - can't always travel at a time that suits.
So when does cost cancel out convenience?
It cost me about £140 for road tax, £353 insurance, £186 for servicing and about £70 for fuel or about £1.80/$2.90 per mile.
I'm hopefully changing the current car for a slightly newer diesel which will cut the road tax to about £30, and cut the fuel cost to about £35 for the same mileage. I can also cut the insurance by about £100 by changing insurers.
Strange how the quotes differ, if I ask for a renewal quote direct from my present insurers site I get £353, if I go to one of the comparison sites the same insurers quote is £292!
If I decided to not run a car my options for getting about would be walking - not really an option with breathing problems and the fact that to get to local shops means a steep uphill start- Taxi - less convenient and costly over any distance - bus - uphill walk to nearest bus stop (but free bus pass once I get there!) Not really convenient for long distances. Other public transport would need taxi to reach nearest train or long distance coach station and cost, especially train, is high, convenience limited by having to adhere to timetables - can't always travel at a time that suits.
So when does cost cancel out convenience?