Do I need a car?
10 questions about where you live, how you get around and what you can afford tell you if a car is worth it for you, or if you're better off without one.
š Question 1 of 10
How do you get to work or school now?
How it works
Answer 10 quick questions about your situation. Each answer nudges the result one way or the other, and some are dealbreakers on their own. You get one of three verdicts, the reasons from your own answers, and practical tips. Everything is worked out in your browser: your answers are never sent to us.
What could the result be?
- ā Yes, a car makes sense for you: Your commute, where you live and your daily life all point the same way: a car would save you time and make life easier. Budget for the full cost: fuel, insurance, tax, repairs and parking.
- š¤ You could go either way: A car would help sometimes, but you could manage without one. Try going car-free for a month with public transport, car-sharing and the odd rental, and see what you really miss.
- š² No, you probably don't need a car: Your life works without one. Walking, cycling, public transport and the occasional rental or ride will probably cost far less than owning a car, which loses value every year.
Tips
- Add up the true yearly cost: fuel, insurance, tax, repairs, parking and the value it loses.
- Rent a car for the occasional long trip instead of owning one.
- A reliable used car usually costs far less than a new one.
- Car-sharing clubs work well if you only drive a few times a month.