Whoever checked out your car yesterday can better answer that question better than anyone here. However, if the vehicle is bad enough condition that you are worried to drive it, THEN DON'T! It isn't worth endangering your safety or that of your child.
If you can't afford tor fix the car, I recommend you contact your church or some other charitable organization for help. There are many churches that maintain "Vehicle Ministries" where congregants who happen to be mechanics work on the cars of needy parishioners. Good Luck