Uber, the American private transport platform that connects drivers and passengers, arrived in Brazil in 2014 and innovated the country’s transport scene. After Uber, other individual transport apps emerged and Brazilians now have several options in addition to their own car, public transport and taxi.
With so many options, it is natural that the following question arises: between keeping your own car and using Uber, which one is more worthwhile? Beforehand, the answer to this question depends on a few factors. Read on to find out which option is best for you.
What this article covers:
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The biggest advantages of having your own car are comfort for transporting the family, freedom, safety, independence, in addition to saving time. While in app transport there is the possibility of riding in a vehicle that is not so comfortable, in addition to having to wait for the car to arrive to you, which can take a while and, depending on the situation, the delay can be a problem.
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On the other hand, the advantages of using Uber are the tranquility of not having to drive or deal with traffic, in addition to not having to bear other costs in addition to the price of the ride, such as vehicle maintenance or paying the Motor Vehicle Property Tax (IPVA🇧🇷 That is, what is more worthwhile depends on how often you need to leave by car.
Taking into account the financial advantages of each, it is also necessary to consider how often you need to use the vehicle, and how far you need to travel. See below.
What were the financial results in both situations?
To compare the costs between using Uber and using your own car, you must take into account that, with your own vehicle, you will pay amounts that go beyond gasoline and the car payment. See the estimated monthly expenses (approximate) of a popular car below:
- Acquisition and Depreciation: BRL 1,100.00
- Maintenance and overhaul: BRL 100
- Fuel: R$300 (to travel between 15 and 20 km per day, 6 days a week)
- Insurance: BRL 150
- IPVA: BRL 170
Total: BRL 1,820
The monthly costs of using the Uber application for the same period analyzed (about 20km per day, 6 days a week), are around R$60 per day, that is, the monthly cost is around R$1,440.
Riding an Uber can be more advantageous, considering that you won’t worry about the costs of vehicle maintenance and documentation. However, it is important to compare the two options taking into account your context, how much you need to use the car and what your priorities are.
