[NSW] Traveling to My Friend Mechanic to Get My Car Fixed for Free - Would This Be Considered Essential Travel?

Blue Cat on 17/07/2021 - 14:14
Last edited 17/07/2021 - 15:48 by 1 other user

So I have a problem with my car (oil leak/broken seals or something) that makes my car chug a lot of oil when driving. Local next-door mechanic quoted me $700+ to get it fixed, meanwhile, my friend mechanic, where I usually get my car serviced at, said he will do it for free as he owes me a big favour.

Now, I am scared of police fining me driving 20+km away from my home to get to his mechanic shop, under the reasoning of "why couldn't you get it fixed locally"? $700 is no joke to me at the moment so I would prefer if I didn't have to pay anything and use up that IOU I have.

Do you think that sounds reasonable? I am in Sydney.

UPDATE: WOW, ok, so, I just got a call from my boss, and, apparently, all construction sites in Sydney will be shut down for the next 2 weeks due to new COVID restrictions. This eliminates my need to travel, which means I can wait for my car service and let the car just hang around.
I guess it is pretty clear now that I do not have any essential travel reasons.

Poll Options

  • 56
    NOT essential travel, you will get fined!
  • 10
    This sounds reasonable, you shouldn't face any problems with the cops.
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • zonra on 17/07/2021 - 14:16
    +2

    How likely are you you gonna drive around now? Can you wait until lockdown finishes?

    • Blue Cat on 17/07/2021 - 14:17
      +1

      Travel everyday to work and back, monday to saturday - I need my car!

  • robbyjones on 17/07/2021 - 14:18
    +4

    Unless you live in the south west suburbs where lockdown is much tighter then you will have no problem. Contrary to popular belief there is no distance from home rule except for exercise and that rule is 10kms not 20kms. You cannot, however, travel anywhere outside the lockdown area.

    • iamherenow on 17/07/2021 - 14:31
      +3

      Huh? Is this why Sydney covid numbers keep increasing?

      • robbyjones on 17/07/2021 - 14:38
        +2

        It would be one reason, yes, in my opinion. They tightened lockdown today but nowhere near enough, I don't think, at this rate we will be in lockdown until Christmas. I don't go out much but when I do I always see people not doing the right thing by not wearing masks or more than one person shopping, even whole families out shopping together, smh!

  • holdenmg on 17/07/2021 - 14:31

    Hi,

    Are you an NRMA member with Classic Care Cover?
    https://www.mynrma.com.au/cars-and-driving/roadside-assistan…

    Maybe get them to Tow your car to your Mechanic… I dunno if your Mechanic is NRMA or not?
    Ask NRMA will they tow to any mechanic or only NRMA Garages.

    Ask NRMA what they can offer you on 131122

    • pao2x on 17/07/2021 - 15:01
      +1

      NRMA will only tow if not driveable

  • brendanm on 17/07/2021 - 14:35
    +6

    A car needed for transport to and from work sounds pretty essential to me.

    • holdenmg on 17/07/2021 - 14:36

      I think we all need to see a Blue Cat driving a Car. :+)

  • Ash-Say on 17/07/2021 - 14:43
    +2

    As long as you live in Bondi, police won't touch you.

    I may get negative votes now but that's on-ground reality.

  • Hugh G Rection on 17/07/2021 - 14:55

    nope, not essential.

  • JimmyF on 17/07/2021 - 14:59

    So I have a problem with my car (oil leak/broken seals or something) that makes my car chug a lot of oil when driving

    Do you think that sounds reasonable? I am in Sydney.

    Well considering you have STAY AT HOME orders in place, you won't be doing a lot of driving. So your car won't be using much oil while it sits idle ;)

    In my books it is not essential. How are you going to get home from dropping it off? How will you get back to pick it up?

  • 87percent on 17/07/2021 - 15:00
    +1

    If your work is essential, and you don’t stop anywhere, I think it would be fine

  • pao2x on 17/07/2021 - 15:08
    +4

    To be safe have your friend give you a quote. Then when asked by police tell them you are going to have your car serviced and show them the quote

  • Ocker on 17/07/2021 - 15:12
    +2

    Get your friend to visit you as he would probably be OK to travel for work purposes

  • Blue Cat on 17/07/2021 - 15:48
    +5

    WOW, ok, so, I just got a call from my boss, and, apparently, all construction sites in Sydney will be shut down for the next 2 weeks due to new COVID restrictions. This eliminates my need to travel, which means I can wait for my car service and let the car just hang around.
    I guess it is pretty clear now that I do not have any essential travel reasons.

  • poboy on 17/07/2021 - 17:44
    +1

    If you are in NSW, so what you want with gay abandon. If you are in Vic, if you leave the house you will be liquidated.

  • Kaz0551 on 17/07/2021 - 19:13

    You need a working vehicle for an emergency. That'd be my reasoning.

  • mickyb80 on 17/07/2021 - 19:30
    +2

    I'm no lawyer, but have a few mates in the auto industry and mechanics. The service departments remain open and are considered essential.
    Therefore, with that logic and keeping this in mind, I'd assume you should be ok.

    Call the Covid hotline to double-check though. Car servicing IMO is needed for transport purposes, not only to and from work but the supermarket, in the event of an emergency and/or health requirements. So can't see any Magistrate with real-world logic and common sense pinging you if you were finded and wanted to fight it. Make a booking via the phone for the service in advance and cover your arse!

    The call centre should be able to clarify. (Assuming you're not using this as a BS excuse to go see your buddy!)

    • SF3 on 17/07/2021 - 21:23

      The argument would be why a 20km+ mechanic vs one close by. Just like shopping.

      • fossilfuel on 17/07/2021 - 22:41

        That argument is irrelevant because it's not against the public health order. There's only a 10km travel limit if people are exercising. For other reasons to leave home, there's no travel limit. You can't get fined if it's not against the law.

        • mickyb80 on 17/07/2021 - 22:58

          Correct in my opinion. Not against heath orders, as too far as I understand the intent.

  • Jugganautx on 18/07/2021 - 08:22
    +1

    Now i know why lockdowns happen when 5 million people have this same train of thought

  • FreeUyghur on 18/07/2021 - 12:59

    nope.

  • the Unforgiven on 18/07/2021 - 22:09

    No. Stay put & twiddle your thumbs. Or you can look on uTube and see some do-it-yourself car maintenance videos. If you need help just buzz me, I used to be a mechanic

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