Deciding to get rid of car - has anybody?

My brother and sister in law gave up owning a car when they moved to Brighton as the bus and train services are fantastic - a bus comes past every couple of minutes. If they want to visit friends or family they hire a car. We, on the other hand, live in a small village, where the bus is hourly, and stops altogether before 8pm so we have to get an expensive taxi home if we want to go out for a meal. We couldn't do without our car.

As others have said, it depends where you live and what public transport is like.

I used to live in Nottinghamshire on the outskirts of a small town. I had a bus stop a 5 min walk away and a train station 20 mins walk away, Taxis were quite reasonable. I used all these quite a lot.

I moved to Cornwall 6 years ago and I could not do without my car now. I live in a very small hamlet. Cornwall is classified as rural with just over 50% of population living outside towns. I thought buses would be quite often but no. I visit the main hospital frequently (did and soon will be again). It takes me 40 mins to drive there. By bus would take me 2hr 15 mins from local village.

My father decided to get rid of the car as he had a few close calls.

We'd been on at him for ages to stop driving but he wasn't having it

One morning we got a phone call. My poor Mum, who was still able to drive safely, saw the car being taken away

Father had decided that if he wasn't to drive neither was she.

She went out and got herself a small car but the arguments with my rather difficult (putting it mildly) father became too much and she gave in

Rather sad and for the rest of her life she'd tell us on an almost daily basis how much she missed driving.

Obviously we're all different and you might manage very well without your car, kangaroo73!

While I remember. Re car insurance, try going to a broker first before going to any of the big name companies. I saved an absolute fortune last time and wished I'd known to do that before.

I had a 2006 vehicle and gave it to my son when he came back from abroad. It's actually held it's value rather well as it's in pristine condition with fairly low milage. Well it did have I suspect he's racked up a fair few miles in the time he's had it. I loved that car and it's never cost me a bean in repairs but I was fed up being unable to drive it because I'm now disabled. He did ask me to sell it to him but I didn't want him coming back to me if it did incur a large repair bill so felt better just handing it over. If I was still able bodied there's no way I'd give up my freedom but that decision was taken away from me. I'm in London with great transport links but nothing compares to the freedom of your own vehicle Imo.

Don’t go to Halfords! All those companies work out fantastically expensive. If you have a local Facebook site ask for recommendations for a mobile mechanic, I found that to be a much better deal!

I decided to try going without a car five years ago. Initially prompted by a simple desire to see if I could live a slightly 'greener' life by using public transport, I quickly found that I loved it! I live near shops and bus stops so that's handy but what I like most is the slower pace of life. I was always jumping in my car to 'quickly do this' or 'just pop there'. I find it very relaxing without a car and have no fear of using public transport right now as hardly anyone is on the buses where I live. Prior to mask-wearing I also enjoyed the social aspect as I found people were friendly on buses.

Have you considered leasing a small car? You would be surprised at the cost- one or two are around £140 a month or less to give you an idea. Good luck.

If you’re in London, and you’re over 60, I can see no good reason for having a car unless you have money to burn. Subsidised public transport in London is brilliant, and car parking is difficult and often expensive.

I'd say get a new one. Giving up driving is giving up your independence in my book. I'm sure you're not ready for that Kangaroo73. Your name would suggest you're not!

My car is 2006. I have never had a minutes trouble with it. I am 81. I wouldn't get rid of it. I am moving back to where I used to live, it is a village, with little public transport. I may look at replacing it once I am settled. Just had an insurance quote for September, received a quote from present insurer for £700 same insurer on line offering £453.56. It is the cheapest so will be going on line with them. It is a joke though, no claims or accidents.

If you can't afford to run and maintain your car it is a
no-brainer get rid of it.
If you live in the UK your bus transport is taken care of, you can also get deals on the trains if you have a disability like wearing an hearing aid. My husband has his rail card and I can also travel at the same rate when traveling with him.
Don't forget walking, this could get you fit.
Purchasing a bike is also a good idea if you know how to cycle.

Regarding your MOT, the extensions were given for cars due to be tested during lockdown. This rule does not apply now. Best to check your car status on DVLA website.My car was due this month and had to be tested this month.

I sold my car when I moved to a place with good public transport thinking I'd do my bit for the environment. I bought a bike which I enjoy. Excellent bike lanes here. I get a cab once in a blue moon eg when I have heavy parcels to bring home and have groceries and furniture delivered. Took a few weeks to get used to but works well for me.

I would move heaven and earth to keep a car. To me it is freedom. We are fairly well served by buses but they only go to specific places not necessarily where I want to go.

I live in a town, and gave up my 8yo car (so my daughter could have it) a few years ago, getting to work by bus. Because we shared it, she had it normally, but if I had to go somewhere awkward she'd bring it back for the day or weekend. She was living 100 miles away.
Then my granddaughter was born the same year I retired, and train was a very awkward journey. So daughter got my old car full-time and I got a new car so that I could drive back late at night.
Before I retired I deliberately downsized to a flat that's walking distance from the shops and doctor's surgery, near several very frequent bus routes and a ten minute walk from the train station, so I was able to do as much as possible as flexibly as possible. Currently I have a bus pass, but worry this concession disappear.

I think you might just be creating more problems by buying a run-about unless you know the previous owner - better the devil you know!! As advised above I would think it really depends on how good your public transport is and what family back up you have. I have a bus stop I can see out my front window and have like Grammaretto travelled free by myself visiting family all over Scotland and also with friends on days out. I enjoy driving and am the only driver in my group of friends so am always last home! My ambition is to keep driving until I'm 80 and as my DGS will be 17 that year I can hand over my car to him.

If you live in a town, it may be a good idea.

Think carefully if you live somewhere quite isolated.

Never had one Legs for walking cycle And public transport if too far away
About half my friends of my age have got rid of their car others still using them

Depends so much on where you live, taxis, public transport etc and as previously mentioned hire car options get a bit limited with increasing age.

First read this as ‘getting rid of cat’!!!!

I decided last year to give up my car, lasted 18 hours then bought another one.

MOTs have a 6 month extension,as someone has already said,so try to manage without the car for a couple of months to see if you can manage without. The cost of running a car is a lot of taxis a month.

I gave my car away and did not renew my licence for two reasons, One, my neck is so stiff I had difficulty with right turns. Two, the sort of use I got from my car it was an expensive luxury.

The public transport here is practically non existent, for example one (yes, one) bus a week to Holsworthy. There are more to Barnstaple, I believe!

I'm still working 3 days a week, only about 2.7 miles from home, but I wouldn't consider walking, no pavements.

So, will continue to run a car.

I got rid of mine 13 months ago. Deciding factor was my increasing phobia/panic attacks about driving leading up to that time. That all seemed to be tied in with a thyroid condition which seems much improved now so I am going to have another try with a driving instructor. For this last year we have managed fine even though DH doesn’t drive, walking, buses and my trusty senior citizens railcard. If I do ok with the driving instructor I won’t buy another car but borrow my DDs as and when. She is aware of the plan!