Cheap car instead of car hire

Grumpy_chap

Pixie5740 said:

I could leave it with a family member or friend who could use it as a second vehicle whilst I’m away….if that’s allowed. Work might also let me SORN it on their premises since it’s because of work I’m overseas. 

Given this short-term need for a car is because of work, is there any possibility that you work can provide a company car or van (or even a hire car) for the 6-week period?  You'd probably be liable for any BIK but it would be low hassle from your perspective and you never know what they might say unless you ask.  If they have a car parked up doing nothing, it might be as convenient for them to have the car used anyway.  You've not mentioned the type of company and whether they have any vehicles or this would be totally alien to them.

If that is not an option, then the idea of buying something and then leaving until you return for good is probably the second-best option.  Something less popular, like the Note will probably be better than the Mini.

What if you bought a car and then WBAC'd it at the end of the 6 weeks?  Cars are holding value right now, so you might not lose too much that way.

Pixie5740

Grumpy_chap said:

Pixie5740 said:

I could leave it with a family member or friend who could use it as a second vehicle whilst I’m away….if that’s allowed. Work might also let me SORN it on their premises since it’s because of work I’m overseas. 

Given this short-term need for a car is because of work, is there any possibility that you work can provide a company car or van (or even a hire car) for the 6-week period?  You'd probably be liable for any BIK but it would be low hassle from your perspective and you never know what they might say unless you ask.  If they have a car parked up doing nothing, it might be as convenient for them to have the car used anyway.  You've not mentioned the type of company and whether they have any vehicles or this would be totally alien to them.

If that is not an option, then the idea of buying something and then leaving until you return for good is probably the second-best option.  Something less popular, like the Note will probably be better than the Mini.

What if you bought a car and then WBAC'd it at the end of the 6 weeks?  Cars are holding value right now, so you might not lose too much that way.

Work paid for business class flights back home so I might be pushing my luck to get car hire too but I won’t know until I ask. 

Selling the car after I leave is also an option and something my friend offered to do for me yesterday. 

Norman_Castle

Pixie5740 said:

 I have hit a stumbling block with the car insurance.  All I have found so far is temporary car insurance so I'd need to buy the car in someone else's name, pay for their insurance etc, and then take out temporary insurance for myself when I want to use it. 

Being a named driver on the insurance would avoid the need for temporary cover. It would be tpo when you're driving but probably worth the risk for a lower value car.
Most cars spend 90+% of their life not being driven. Could you car share with a friend for the 6 weeks you are here. 

Pixie5740

Norman_Castle said:

Pixie5740 said:

 I have hit a stumbling block with the car insurance.  All I have found so far is temporary car insurance so I'd need to buy the car in someone else's name, pay for their insurance etc, and then take out temporary insurance for myself when I want to use it. 

Being a named driver on the insurance would avoid the need for temporary cover. It would be tpo when you're driving but probably worth the risk for a lower value car.
Most cars spend 90+% of their life not being driven. Could you car share with a friend for the 6 weeks you are here. 

In an ideal world my parents, whom I am currently staying with, would allow me to drive their car which spends 90% of its life on the drive way. Then when I travel up to Aberdeen I could get the bus and once I’m in Aberdeen I’ll be much more central with better public transport links and could use the Co-wheels car share service. 

Pixie5740

Finally, a solution. My friend is buying a new car and doesn’t have to sell the old car to fund it. He’s willing to lend me his old car until I return overseas when he will then sell it. I’ll get temporary car insurance for overseas visitors. 

This cost me a curry and the insurance.