Car - repairs and MOT - month break from IVA poss?

[Lola]

Hi!

Well, just tried to get the car through its MOT and it needed a full service too. £250 down and it needs another £270 to get it through its MOT too.

Plus they've given us an advisory list as long as my arm - and £2k's worth of work.

Needless to say we don't have that sort of cash. I've whittled it down to the bare essentials, which if we don't have done will mean no MOT (no car) and if we leave it could wreck the car even further.

We're looking at an extra £700 on top of what I've already paid.

What do you think the chances are of the IP letting us have a month off so we can get all the repairs done. Our total payment each month is £674 so I'd only have to find a few extra quid.

We've only had our IVA since May though, so not sure where we stand.

As we're really rural, a car is essential for work, getting the kids to the childminders and nursery etc.

Oh, and to top it off - car tax (which I do have the money for as have been saving for it) is due at the end of this month too.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[MelanieGiles]

I am sure that your IP will view your request with sympathy Lola. After all if you have no car, then you cannot travel to work, and earn the money needed to pay your IVA contributions.

Be prepared to pay higher contributions in the future to make up the arrears - of at least your car maintenance budget.

[Soulgrowth]

What a pain for you Lola ... that's the trouble with cars ... they're great when they're going, but a true pain when they break down.

Hope you get something sorted soon.

Debbie

[plasticdaft]

I have been buying post office stamps monthly to cover the road tax,saves me trying to find extra when its due.

MOT's are a pain.

[debtmountain]

Hi Lola,[:)]

I hope you can get something agreed with your IP, what a pain for you.

plastidaft, That's a good idea to get post office stamps, never thought of doing that. My MOT is due in 2 weeks, hope not too much needs doing to it.

[Soulgrowth]

You used to be able to get post office stamps for the television licence. I use to get 2 every week and it was enough for the licence feee at the end of the year. Now they have a load up card and it's really not the same as sticking your stamps in a book!

Anyone remember the Trustee Savings Stamps that you could each week from school?

I like saving up [:)]

Debbie

[Skippy]

I paid for my road tax last year with Post Office stamps and it wasa big help. I bought 2 a month, and as my tax was only £120 I had it all paid for which was nice!

[debtmountain]

I'm definately going to buy some of these stamps, will save temptation to dib into the money put aside for Road Tax. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this before. That's what I like about this Forum, all these money-helping tips [:D]

[plasticdaft]

My only advice is to put the stamps/book somewhere that you wont lose them!!!(The number of times I have had to turn the house upside down to look for them and where were they??? sitting in the drawer beside my mot and insurance stuff for when I would be taxing the car!!!)DOH!!

[debtmountain]

[:D] Yes plastidaft, I will put them with all my Car Documents. I've done exactly the same in the past with Asda saving stamps.

[Skippy]

Mine got lost when we moved last year - they eventually turned up in Dave's sock drawer! No idea why, but at least they turned up!

[debtmountain]

It's amazing where these things turn up sometimes Skippy [:D] I've been known before now to look for something that I thought I had put in a certain place, not found it and then spent hours scouring everywhere only to go back and find it in was there all the time [:D]

[Lola]

At least you've found them now!

In my 'money isn't worth anything' past I lost nearly £200 of high street shopping vouchers and thought nothing of it.

When I think about it now, I could cry!

Never again will I be so complancent about money.

Still not sure whether to ask the IP for a break. I feel so guilty.

Maybe we could scrape together enough to get half done this month and half next(by eating nothing but beans for the next two months)

[plasticdaft]

Lola why not ask for the break in payments to get the car sorted then try to pay a little extra over the next few months,rather than live in a windy house for 2 months!!!

[debtmountain]

plastidaft[:0][:D]

Lola,

I do understand what you mean about asking, the fact that you have only had your IVA since May, I would feel exactly the same. But,these things happen. I am sure that your IP will be understanding and will come to some arrangement with you. Try not to worry, I am sure you'll get some help. Let us know how you get on.[:)]

xx