Letting Go (And Making Sure the Car's Ready First)
There’s something about watching your child drive away on their first real adventure that hits differently. You spend years teaching them, guiding them, worrying for them, and then one day, they’re off. Festival tickets in hand, phone in the other, and a boot full of snacks, glitter, and barely enough space for a sleeping bag.
That was the scene for Silvie, as she waved off her daughter, Hannah, and her friends on their way to Reading Festival. The first leg of Hannah’s journey to university.
This moment - full of pride, nerves, and one slightly emotional parent - inspired our latest Thame Cars advert. Based on real customer stories just like Silvie’s, it captures the heart of what we hear so often in our workshops and on the forecourt: that when it comes to letting go, it helps to know someone’s taken care of the car.
Silvie’s proud. You can see it in the way she talks about her daughter - ''smart, independent, kind (… mostly)". But with all that independence comes the one thing most teenagers aren't quite so good at: car maintenance.
“So I called Thame Cars,” Silvie said with a smile. “She was about to be driving back and forth to uni, and I just wanted to make sure she was safe. They were wonderful. Came right to our house, picked up the car… she’d been putting it off for ages!”
We’ve heard that before. Life gets busy, especially when you're 18 and packing for what feels like the biggest summer of your life. That’s why we make things simple - collecting cars, handling servicing, MOTs, and safety checks so families like Silvie’s can focus on the moments that matter.
Hannah, of course, was grateful (even if she rolled her eyes just a little when she got caught forgetting to book it herself). And as she pulled out of the Thame Cars forecourt with her music up and friends laughing in the back, Silvie stood beside Harry, our Service Manager, watching the car disappear down the road.
Harry handed her a tissue.
She giggled at herself, wiped her eyes, and spotted something on the tarmac. A pair of wellies. Left behind, naturally.
Because letting go isn’t just about waving goodbye. It’s about knowing they’re ready, and feeling reassured that their car is too.
At Thame Cars, we’re here for those moments. For the MOTs and repairs, yes, but more importantly, for the peace of mind that helps make big life transitions feel just a little easier.
Inspired by real Thame Cars customers. Watch the advert. Share the story.