Work Van or Buy a Car

[Mr.Nobody]

I recently sold my shed Civic as it’s was over 15 years old and a bit of a dog. As it seemed to be plagued with electrical issues. Anyway a bit about me..

I recently changed career last year at 34 to become an electrician. I’ve since started an apprenticeship to gain some experience and moved back home. Last week I was offered a van by work but only to be used to go from my house to work.

So I’m saving £150 as that’s what my Civic cost to insure, tax and fuel. But we are only picking up £620 a month which is shocking. But having done it a year we are due a pay rise probably after Christmas. They have said though that I can’t use it to travel to College. Which means more cost to get the train than it would using a car. The van is also on a Tracker.

So do you think I should keep the van? See if they allow me to use it more than just from my house to work, or hand it back and just get a shed?

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Saturday 19th December 10:42

[loskie]

£620 week on an apprenticeship?

[Geffg]

Get your own car if you can’t use the van.
£620 a week as an apprentice spark!!!
I might scrap my qualifications and start again.

[Mr.Nobody]

loskie said:

£620 week on an apprenticeship?

£620 a month.

[Mr.Nobody]

Geffg said:

Get your own car if you can’t use the van.
£620 a week as an apprentice spark!!!
I might scrap my qualifications and start again.

That’s a month. It then should go up to NWM after a year. I may just give them it back in the new year. As I’m just limited in what I can do with the van. Plus I’m sure I’d i use it for college, that would be personal use. Which I would probably have to fill in a BIK form or pay something.

[loskie]

Mr.Nobody said:

loskie said:

£620 week on an apprenticeship?

£620 a month.

I did think it must have been a rather special apprenticeship and WTF were you moaning about. I see you've edited it I don't think I missread it.

[Mr.Nobody]

That’s why I edited it. As I realised I had made the mistake. Just to clear up any confusion. I wish it was £620 a week lol.

[brianb]

Can you not just offer to pay your private miles?

Although thinking about it I bet it’s to do with BIK

[Pit Pony]

loskie said:

£620 week on an apprenticeship?

A month.

[Pit Pony]

brianb said:

Can you not just offer to pay your private miles?

Although thinking about it I bet it’s to do with BIK

There are tax implications to using it for private use. But I doubt with a £8k salary that would be an issue
More likely insurance. But worth having the discussion with the boss.
Depending on the ownership arrangements. If it's leased there will be an excess cost for each mile over the limit. If it's owned, it's costing them.in more depreciation and servicing, but there's a discussion to be had. It's clear that you are saving £2k a year not running a car, and you might discuss it in terms of Covid safety in avoiding public transport.
If I was the boss, it would depend on your attitude and work ethic over the last few months. If you were a bit of a knob, I'd be less inclined, but if I thought you were hard working, I'd do my best to help you.

[R5_BOY]

see if the firm will let you use van / private if you tell them you'll pay mileage of whatever. Failing that, buy a shed for £500.00 and get something decent once qualified.

[Pit Pony]

Mr.Nobody said:

That’s why I edited it. As I realised I had made the mistake. Just to clear up any confusion. I wish it was £620 a week lol.

It's just enough to live in a grotty shared house, with 4 other apprentices and cycle to work and college without going into debt.
Which is why most apprentices I've met live a home, treat the place like a hotel, do feck all around the house, and pay their parents no house keeping. But manage to be in debt at the end of every month. (I've met a few in the aerospace industry)

But I see the OP is 34, so i assume he has a partner who is helping out financially.

How far is college? Get a push bike if less than 10 miles.

[Mr.Nobody]

Pit Pony said:

There are tax implications to using it for private use. But I doubt with a £8k salary that would be an issue
More likely insurance. But worth having the discussion with the boss.
Depending on the ownership arrangements. If it's leased there will be an excess cost for each mile over the limit. If it's owned, it's costing them.in more depreciation and servicing, but there's a discussion to be had. It's clear that you are saving £2k a year not running a car, and you might discuss it in terms of Covid safety in avoiding public transport.
If I was the boss, it would depend on your attitude and work ethic over the last few months. If you were a bit of a knob, I'd be less inclined, but if I thought you were hard working, I'd do my best to help you.

Thanks for that. That is helpful. I did think that it would be due to tax etc. They are bought outright if I remember correctly. They don’t really Service them properly either. As long as it passes an MOT then they are not bothered.

But the £2k running costs a year are a little more than public transport, a bit less hassle, especially for college that has free parking.

I did think about using it until I get my raise, then look for something reliable say £2000. Which has cheap parts and running cost. Something Toyota/Skoda etc

I think I’ve worked hard and done work on my own and they have paid me back by giving me the van for a while.

[Mr.Nobody]

Pit Pony said:

It's just enough to live in a grotty shared house, with 4 other apprentices and cycle to work and college without going into debt.
Which is why most apprentices I've met live a home, treat the place like a hotel, do feck all around the house, and pay their parents no house keeping. But manage to be in debt at the end of every month. (I've met a few in the aerospace industry)

But I see the OP is 34, so i assume he has a partner who is helping out financially.

How far is college? Get a push bike if less than 10 miles.

I did move back home and I’ve paid my parents money each money. As much as half. I’m quite financially minded and try and save where I can as I’ve no big bills. College is around 30 miles from my house.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd buy something like these to cover your private miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012127...

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd buy something like these to cover your private miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012127...

Not a bad idea. I’ve not got the room to have the car and the van unfortunately. I will probably just use the van for now and use public transport. I can image it to be quite a lot in costs for work to allow me to use it for private use, which I would have to incur. I would have to have the conversation to see if it’s even possible as they could just say no.

[Teddy Lop]

Have the conversation, it'll be largely an insurance/stop p-takers clause but driving to college is quite work related so not that much of a fudge.... Failing that buy a scooter?

[Mr.Nobody]

Spoke to the boss about the van. Unfortunately there would be no way of using it for college as I would have to pay the insurance difference and also my own fuel. Which I declined. So I will have to look at the train or just give them the van back in the new year.

[Mikebentley]

Jesus I had no idea they could get away with paying you so little. That is disgraceful.

[Mr.Nobody]

Mikebentley said:

Jesus I had no idea they could get away with paying you so little. That is disgraceful.

It’s shocking. If I could leave I would. 2 years left unfortunately.