The Biggest Barriers to Car Ownership & Maintenance in Melbourne
Are you a Melbournian? The city is one-of-a-kind. If awards mean anything to you, Melbourne has been voted amongst the world’s most liveable dwellings more than a few times. It is a large metropolitan city with a diverse CBD and a suburban sprawl, which can make getting around tricky depending on where you’re located, but much easier with a car.
However, there are some barriers to car ownership and maintenance in Melbourne, which can make it a venture out of reach for some people. This article will explore these barriers, so strap in as we learn more about what it takes to own and maintain a car in Melbourne.
Finding a Reliable Mechanic
If you’ve managed to secure a car purchase, your first step for car maintenance is finding a reliable mechanic. Whether you’re looking for a mechanic in Tullamarine or Brighton, you’ll have to wade through a list of service providers. Good, honest mechanics are worth their weight in gold, and when you find one with strong reviews and testimonials, it’s worth giving them a try. Without access to a reliable mechanic, your car will be rendered useless at any issues that stop it from functioning.
Maintenance Costs
Even if you find a great mechanic, the cost of ongoing maintenance for a car can quickly add up and present a barrier to car ownership in Melbourne. On average, a motor vehicle requires a service every six months or 10,000 kilometres travelled. A minor car service can range from $150-300, and a major service can reach $1,000 depending on what is required for the vehicle, such as spark plug changes and other labour-intensive tasks. Over the years, this can quickly add up and present a barrier to car ownership for those on low or modest incomes.
There are other ongoing costs to owning a car, too. You’ll have to buy engine oil, parking tickets, toll fares and other service fees throughout the use of your vehicle.
The Cost of Insurance
If you own a car, getting insurance is a no-brainer. At the very least, a third-party policy protects you in the unlikely event that you accidentally damage someone else’s vehicle or property when you’re behind the wheel. A comprehensive policy also protects your car should something unfortunate occur. However, insurance fees are an immediate hike in the cost of car ownership, as you‘ll need it as soon as you start driving on the road.
This inhibits people from buying a car because annual premiums can range into the thousands, or even when paid monthly, insurance can be expensive. The cost of repairing damage from a car accident is much higher than insurance premiums. Thus, people who can’t afford the insurance premiums also won’t be able to afford any damage they may cause on the road.
The Cost of Fuel
One major ongoing cost of car ownership is fuel. As you may have seen in the news, the cost of petrol can spike due to oil shortages, international conflict and other various external factors. On average, a car owner in Melbourne can spend $50-100 a week on just fuel, let alone other costs associated with owning a car. This can mean that those who work casually, part-time or have a low income can face a sting at the pump stations. While there are some hacks to reduce fuel costs, such as fuel lock apps, fuel price maps and filling up when fuel is cheaper, the cost of petrol can present a major barrier to car ownership in Melbourne.
Learning to Drive
Another barrier to car ownership in Melbourne is licencing. If you didn’t know already, state laws govern that driving a car requires a licence. This can be tricky for people, especially if they are nervous, anxious or otherwise find the process challenging. To get your probationary licence, you need to clock up a decent amount of time on a learner’s permit, supervised by someone with a full licence. You also need to pass a test to acquire your learner’s permit. Once you’re ready to apply for a probationary licence, you need to pass a driving test by VicRoads.
This is a big ask for some people, especially if they have conditions such as neurodiversity or a mental health issue, or they need to pay a driving coach for each hour of their training. It’s more manageable for those who live inner-city with public transport to take them to their lessons and to a VicRoads centre, but this can be isolating for someone in the outer suburbs of Melbourne who might not have a way to get to the licensing centre.
The Cost of a Vehicle
Finally, the last barrier to car ownership in Melbourne that we’ll discuss here is the cost of purchasing a vehicle. Even a decent used car in Melbourne can range into thousands of dollars, and a new vehicle is easily $20,000-$50,000, depending on what make and model you want. This is a barrier for nearly everyone and something that makes individuals think carefully about the commitment, especially those who are employed on an insecure basis or are unemployed.
A Car Ownership Summary
Many factors can inhibit people from owning and maintaining a car in Melbourne. If you have a licence and a steady income, you still need to find a reliable mechanic and the best insurance and fuel deals. However, if you feel ready for this step in your life and you’re just getting started with your car journey, start by learning how to get your licence and saving for the cost of your car and you will be well on your way to joining Melbourne’s motorists.