Should you own a car?

• What are the advantages?
• Is there a downside?
• Don’t forget to maintain it!

Despite opposition from some so called ‘environmental groups’ that are firmly against cars generally, and those that still incorporate a petrol or diesel engine in particular, owning a car brings with it many advantages, although, naturally, a high level of responsibility.

Whether you finally choose to purchase one or not will depend on weighing up a number of important factors, but should you decide it’s right for you, one of the key advantages of owning a car is that it gives you great freedom in your personal mobility, as you’re no longer reliant on public transport or the schedules and kindness of others when you want to get around.

 

What are the advantages?

Although for most people, the principle reason to have their own car, is probably the daily commute to work, ownership also means if you just want to go somewhere, you can simply get in your car and go! You don’t have to worry about finding a bus or train that will take you somewhere close to where you want to go, or coordinating your travel plans with someone else.

This newfound freedom also extends to how much and what you want to take with you or what you may want to move from one place to another. When using public transport, you’re usually restricted to what you can carry on your person or in a bag or two, but when you’re driving, you can literally take as much stuff as will safely fit in your car, which is great if you’re going on a long trip or moving house, for example.

Owning your own vehicle also means that you can control your own schedule. So, if you want to leave at 07:45, you can, and should you want to stop for a coffee on the way, no problem. However, as you’ll be very aware, relying on public transport doesn’t allow that level of flexibility as, despite operating to a timetable, which may or may not suit you, it can still be subject to delays or cancellations, and that coffee stop, well you’ll have to plan that in advance!

Among the joys of owning a car are the opportunities to take a detour if you see something interesting, or simply make a spontaneous stop. This flexibility is particularly nice if you’re on a road trip and want to explore everything that the journey to your destination has to offer. In addition, there are also some places that can only be reached by car, like if you’re trying to get to a remote location, or somewhere without a public transport link.

 

Is there a downside?

Owning a car is not always plain sailing however, because, in addition to the cost of purchasing it, are its running costs, which include not only fuel, insurance and road use tax, but also its maintenance. In addition, do you have somewhere to park it? If it is left on the street, nowadays, many places require you to purchase an annual parking permit, and bear in mind that an increasing number now operate congestion charges/low emissions zones, which will be an extra cost is you drive in those areas. Finally, should you be tempted to go for a plug in hybrid or an electric vehicle, do you have somewhere where you can safely charge it?

 

Don’t forget to maintain it!

Although, if you go for a brand new car, you might be able to roll these up into a single monthly payment; should you be considering a used car, the chances are you’ll have to budget for these elements separately, which is where maintenance can sometimes be overlooked. So, if you’ve done the maths and decided that having your own car is the way to go, to ensure your own safety and to protect the investment you’ve made, make sure you have it serviced by a professional technician, at least once a year. Keeping it in good, road worthy condition not only helps to retain its value, it will also maximise its reliability and ensure it’s running as efficiently and economically as possible, so you can relax and enjoy the freedoms of the open road.