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If you’ve managed to pass your test before it’s time to move away for university, you might be thinking about getting a car. But can you afford to run a car if you’re also paying for your studies and other living costs?
In this article, we’ll tackle the key considerations and offer advice on how to afford a car at university.
Firstly, ask yourself if you really need a car. If you’ve moved far enough away for university, it’s likely that the train or coach will be a cheaper alternative. If you live close enough to your university – whether that be in student accommodation or at home with your parents – then public transport or walking to your classes should be easy enough.
There are plenty of reasons you might want a car though. The possibility of working while you study is a real one, including taking placement opportunities; a car would make things much easier in this situation.
A car could also be crucial to your studies, especially in instances where you need to transport large models or artwork to and from the university and your home. Transporting your shopping is also made easier with a car – something to think about if you’re not living close to any supermarkets.
Investigate the alternative travel options which would be available to you before opting to buy a car, including any student discounts you might be eligible for.
Having a car can be exciting, but it’s wise to look at all the different cost aspects which are involved. Aside from actually buying the car – which might be fairly cheap – here is a breakdown of other factors:
Many students find they have to take on part time work to cover these costs, so consider whether this is something you’ll be able to do as well as your studies.
An often overlooked aspect of owning a car is where to keep it when you’re not using it. Very few student accommodation buildings will allow for car parking, though there may be temporary spots. If you’re living in a house-share, this might be slightly easier, though be sure to figure out how many cars you have at that one property if you’re sharing with several others.
Whatever you do, don’t risk parking where you’re not sure about current restrictions, as you’ll end up with fines or a towed vehicle.
If you’re certain that you need a car for university, one of the best ways to afford it is to share it with someone. This can either be in the form of registering another person from your house on the insurance so that you can both make use of it (thereby splitting costs like MOT and fuel), or by using it as the carpool for your house and asking people to help you with the fuel costs.
The older the car you get, the lower your insurance premium will be, but it may not be as reliable as a new car, so weigh up this as part of your decision.
If you’re a student with a car, don’t take the risk of driving with a damaged windscreen. At The Windscreen Company we provide windscreen replacement and windscreens repairs if you’ve got a chipped or cracked windscreen – we can even charge the work to your insurer so that it doesn’t cost you a penny if you have comprehensive insurance. Remember, getting a chip repaired can save you from having a more costly replacement in the long run.
If you get a chip in your windscreen – call the experts at The Windscreen Company on 0800 998 1068 or go to our contact page for more details.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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