Another "will I keep my car" question - sorry!

MrsST

Can anyone tell me if GP letters hold any weight with the OR with regards to keeping a car?

I've got a long standing back problem that would mean long walks to go shopping etc would be very difficult for me. My GP is happy to provide me with a letter stating that I have this concern and he feels that I need my car for everyday living.

As the car is only worth around £1K anyway, is it likely that I won't be made to give it up?

Thanks

k2nga

Well i would say that a letter from your doctor would certainly help and unless you have a really mean OR i cannot see any reason why you would get to keep the car.

skylight

If you do not work, then you cannot get a reasonably good "yes" that you would keep the car at all.

There are no rules, only guidelines that are interpreted as the OR sees fit. A jobsworth OR on these boards has seen a £200 car owned by a lady who lived in the middle of nowhere and had to collect daughter from school tens of miles away - lose it. Others kept it.

No-one can say yes or no to your personal circumstances, you can but argue your corner with as much back up as possible (docs letter etc). The best way to look at it, is to accept that your car will definately go - that way you won't be disappointed and anything extra is a happy bonus.

Merry_Gentry

skylight wrote: »

The best way to look at it, is to accept that your car will definately go - that way you won't be disappointed and anything extra is a happy bonus.

Absolutely. I sent a letter explaining why I needed my car - mobility and child care mainly - and offered to give them the details of my Specialist if they wanted more information. My car was worth just over £1,300 and we got to keep it. My OH has a car worth just under £3,000, sent no letter or anything and his was exempt as well - presumably on the grounds that he needs it for going to work.

All you can do is put as much evidence as possible forward but accept that they may take it anyway.

Summer1969

My car was only worth £400. I am not working but stated that I had been off work for 2 years with depression (I sent him a medical certificate) and that I relied on the car to get me out and not to feel so isolated. They took it unfortunately.

But on the plus side for us, we are walking more, and saving a lot a month on running the thing, so have to try and look on the bright side. We will get a cheap runaround again when we have put a bit by.

fatbelly

Would your GP support you in a claim for Disability Living Allowance?

If you have mobility needs that are not severe enough for DLA, would he/she support a claim for a blue badge?

It's my guess that the more hard evidence you have of a mobility need the more likely the car will be exempted.

MrsST

Thank you for all the replies.

My back problem isn't severe enough for any sort of DLA etc but being without the car would make getting out with my small twins very difficult as I wouldn't be able to manage the buggy for any distance.

If they insist that we get rid of one car, then DH's car will go as it is the most unreliable etc. I am desperate not to be quite so housebound as I would be without my car!

blind-as-a-bat_2

Proving mobilaty issues does not automaticaly get a car classed as exempt you will also need to demonstrate that the alternatives would be more expensive as the OR could say that useing taxis for example for essential journeys would be cheaper than the running costs of the car, which if that is the case they may not treat it as exempt

Merry_Gentry

MrsST wrote: »

Thank you for all the replies.

My back problem isn't severe enough for any sort of DLA etc but being without the car would make getting out with my small twins very difficult as I wouldn't be able to manage the buggy for any distance.

If they insist that we get rid of one car, then DH's car will go as it is the most unreliable etc. I am desperate not to be quite so housebound as I would be without my car!

If they decide your vehicle is not exempt, I don't think you get to choose which one they take - sorry.

skylight

Is it just you going BR? And only one car in your name? Then you do not get to chose. Its your car so if they decide its not exempt then it goes.

If OH was going BR too AND he works, then any car in his name would stay (probably).

Now, if both cars are in your name and only OH works, then you can argue about a reliable car needed or he doesn't work.

In BR, all you can do is fight your own corner - sadly you cannot make choices. To prepare your arguement, get bus timetables, bus pass prices (adult and child if applicable) taxi costs for times buses do not run (if they stopped at 8pm for eg but you know you need transport after this time). Trains etc. You need it all upfront just incase.