u/tryityoumightlikeit

My partner is learning to drive in an automatic, while I currently have a manual.

So, people of the internet, can you help me find a cheap, ULEZ-compliant automatic?

It really does need to be cheap. I’m not remotely bothered about looks, age or cosmetic condition — as long as it runs, has an MOT and won’t immediately explode, I’m interested.

It’ll essentially be a practice car for her, which we’ll sell once she passes her test, so I’m looking for something functional rather than fancy.

Budget: as little as humanly possible.

I've always loved these cars and have wanted one for years. The only thing holding me back is that I'm on what most people would call a pretty tight budget. My heart says, "Go for it," but my head is still trying to talk me out of it!

From everything I've read, they seem to be among the more reliable options, and I'm actually looking forward to learning some mechanical skills along the way.

I only drive a couple of thousand miles a year, mostly weekend trips from London to the beach, so it wouldn't be a daily driver.

What do you all think? Is it a sensible idea, or am I letting my heart make the decision?

Thoughts on this proposal? £6500 all in (London) inclusive of scaffolding and bird protection.

3 bed Victorian terrace. There are only two of us and have pretty low energy usage 1800KW per year.

My concern is this is a bit too small. We will be getting an EV soon, along with mini split air con and probably a heat pump at some point.

My aim is simply to reduce costs as much as possible assuming energy prices will continue to grow. so I’m not sure what tariffs at the moment.

Solar Panels

Aiko Energy

2.880 kW Total Module Power

6 x 480 Watt Panels (AIKO-A480-MCE54Mb)

2,261 kWh per year

Inverter

Anker SOLIX X1 Hybrid Single-Phase Inverter

5 kW of Inverter Power 

battery

Anker SOLIX 

1 x X1-H5K-S 

10 Year Warranty Parts & Labour

Anker SOLIX X1 Battery Module

5.0 kWh of Usable Capacity 

Anker SOLIX 

1 x X1-B5-H 

10 Year Warranty 

I was born in the U.S. to a British mother and an American father. When I was around six months old, my mother left my father and brought me back to the UK. Since then (mid-1980s) I have lived permanently in the UK. I have a National Insurance number, have always paid UK taxes, and have a mortgage and all the usual ties to the UK.

When I was a teenager, I went on a school trip to Amsterdam. On returning to the UK, border control flagged my American passport. I was taken into a side room and questioned. The officers were actually very friendly and, at the end of the conversation, one of the immigration officers stamped my passport with Indefinite Leave to Remain. Since then, I have never had any issues travelling or starting new jobs in the UK.

More recently, I opened an ISA through Trading 212. I declared my nationality as American, and they have now requested additional information:

1. If you live outside the US
2. If you are a US Person
3. If you are not a US Person

They are requesting either:

• Proof of residency outside the US (issued within the last 3 months)
• A completed W-9 form including a US Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number (SSN)
• Evidence confirming non-US status, such as a Certificate of Loss of Nationality

I do not have any of these documents. I have never had any dealings with the U.S. IRS or other U.S. government bodies and, as far as I know, I do not have a Social Security number.

I would appreciate some guidance on what my next steps should be.