So I (20) bought my car about 2 years ago in mid 2023 and I was thinking that id have autonomy over it since I bought it outright with my own money with no monetary help from anyone else.
Pretty much ever since I got it my mum (49) has used it as her own personal car, I put up rules that was basically no eating or drinking and no smoking. Not too long after I got the car, fast food rubbish and bottles etc started to show up on the floor and the ashtray in the backseat was filled with cigarette ash and butts.
she hasn’t been keeping up with maintenance, oil changes etc (I know it should be up to me but I’ve lost my license a while back and I haven’t been able to take it to a place that could do that)
I asked her if she could buy it off me for $1200 (WAY under what the car is worth and a generous price for it) so I can use that money to put towards a new car I am planning on buying in a month and a half when I get my licence back and she practically threw a fit about it and got all moody about it.
I don’t know if I’m being out of line for asking for some money for a car that I has practically been hers for the 2 years I’ve had it but she put no money towards it when i bought it, I asked a couple of my friends if this sounds fair and they all are siding with me.
Questions? comments?
Edit: x4
FAQ:
My license was suspended because I was caught speeding. I was coming home from a day trip to see friends in a city an hour away and I was tired and wanted to get home to bed. It’s not a valid excuse.
I do pay registration and insurance. But we both share fuel.
I do live with her and I do pay rent (electricity, water, wifi etc included) and we do groceries and stuff like that together.
I did use it before I lost my license and she does give me lifts to and from work but she uses it way more for personal use and other things.
She has her own car but it’s been parked since I bought my car and it’s been parked so long the cost to fix it would be more than what I’m offering her.
I am planning on moving out after I get my license back and sort a couple life things out.
NTA
She has benefitted from the free car for a while. She should compensate you for it.