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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to drive someone else’s car all week?

448 replies

BlueberryMummy · 08/06/2026 20:30

A friend borrowed my car on Friday because she needed to go and pick up something that wouldn’t fit in her car (it would fit in her car, the only reason it wouldn’t is because her car is full of stuff) and then I had to go out before she got back and her car keys were at mine so she told me to take her keys and her car and then since then our paths haven’t crossed to swap the cars back and I’ve messaged her and called her a few times to ask if we can swap the cars back and she just keeps saying she is busy at that moment but will find time soon to swap the cars back. She’s now asking if she can keep my car until Friday as she needs to go somewhere on Friday and what she is taking won’t fit in her car again because her car is full of stuff and in return I keep her car until Friday. But I just want my car back now. My car is a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan and her car is a 2024 Range Rover. My husband says I’m overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill. I feel she is being funny about just giving me my car back, she could have found time already to give me my car back and she certainly could find time before Friday to give me my car back. We both have fully comp insurance on our own cars and are insured to drive other cars but we are only covered for 3rd party damage on other cars. AIBU to not want to drive someone else’s car all week and AIBU to just want my car back now?

OP posts:
Babyputyourpantson · 09/06/2026 14:18

Yeah I reckon shes dinged it!!

I would either do it ridiculously early which I dont think you can do cause of the kids or turn up at her work! X

Tillow4ever · 09/06/2026 14:15

This is madness. I’m a people pleaser and even I wouldn’t accept this CFery! If you don’t like to be direct, tell her you need to collect something out of the car urgently - she has to either fess up that it’s at the garage or give you access again.

Sunnydaysarehereagain2026 · 09/06/2026 14:14

Time for an ultimatum.. Your car is returned by tonight or you will report it stolen.

steff13 · 09/06/2026 14:10

tiramisugelato · 09/06/2026 07:54

Then put your kids in the friends’ car and drive to her house to get yours!

What a load of drama out of nothing.

Maybe there's too much stuff in the car to fit the kids. 😆

Couldyounot · 09/06/2026 14:03

(And please get a spare key made)

Couldyounot · 09/06/2026 14:03

Either she's damaged your car, or she's trying to dodge the repo company by not having her car at her address. Given the eye-watering cost of Range Rovers that is not impossible.

LostFuse · 09/06/2026 13:58

youalright · 09/06/2026 13:51

A lot of people assume if they have fully comprehensive cover they automatically get 3rd party on other cars and that hasn't been the case for years. Thats why im saying it

Yep - it's far more likely to be an extension to a policy these days, not the norm.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 09/06/2026 13:56

FFS this place is like a parallel universe sometimes...just go and get your fucking car!

Aligirlbear · 09/06/2026 13:54

You are being unreasonable because you are asking the question ! Just drive round to hers and swap the cars over

youalright · 09/06/2026 13:51

whackwhackoops · 09/06/2026 11:14

Read the post responses maybe for your answer?!!

Edited

A lot of people assume if they have fully comprehensive cover they automatically get 3rd party on other cars and that hasn't been the case for years. Thats why im saying it

ElectricLegs · 09/06/2026 13:51

Don't report it to the Police as stolen. Better to be honest with the Police rather than waste their time.

Excuse my ignorance, but don't all cars have trackers in them these days?

KnittyKnotty · 09/06/2026 13:50

🤣 can't wait for the update "friend now saying it's been stolen".

Just out of curiosity, did you also lend your Dyson hair styler to your friend who nicked it?

JaneLupin · 09/06/2026 13:50

This is insane.

Regardless of why she wants to keep your car longer, this has already gone on far too long. Like pp, I’d be driving over to her home / workplace and staying there until she arrived to swap the cars back. Take the kids with you if you have to.

And I’d never be lending her as much as a pencil ever again.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista · 09/06/2026 13:43

Put the kids in the car tonight and switch back, she is taking the piss.

MajorProcrastination · 09/06/2026 13:41

how is this other woman not embarrassed? so odd.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 09/06/2026 13:41

I would be losing my sh*t with her by now. Is she expecting you to drive your kids around with only 3rd party insurance? Or worse still be housebound?

Tell her that you want it back tonight and she needs to make other arrangements for Friday

thinkfast · 09/06/2026 13:40

Just go to her house and swap cars back this evening OP. Take the kids with you if needed. And be firm with your friend what an imposition this was!

readingmakesmehappy · 09/06/2026 13:38

What a CF! Why can’t she drive over to yours?

Larrythecatforpm · 09/06/2026 13:35

wombat1a · 09/06/2026 13:35

She's damaged it and its taking longer to repair than she thought OP

Yup 100% this.

Larrythecatforpm · 09/06/2026 13:35

Just seen your update tell her if she doesn’t swap the car back today you’ll report it as stolen.

wombat1a · 09/06/2026 13:35

She's damaged it and its taking longer to repair than she thought OP

Larrythecatforpm · 09/06/2026 13:34

Just drive over and swap now.

ChaToilLeam · 09/06/2026 13:31

You tell her NO I WANT IT BACK NOW.

Bet she's pranged it. Cheeky fucker!

Hibernatingsloth · 09/06/2026 13:29

OP, this is an issue of your own making.
You cannot continue to let your 'friend' take you for a mug.
I would imagine the bigger reason that she wanted your car to transport bulky items is less to do with space and more to do with not risking any damage to her own car.
How long are you going to let her move the goalposts?
It's already gone from one trip to up to Friday and now into a second week.
"I've got kids" is not an excuse to not putting your foot down and collecting your own car.
You're being used.

Bananananna · 09/06/2026 13:27

BlueberryMummy · 09/06/2026 09:24

She’s now asking to keep it for longer than Friday! I’ve said no but she’s replied saying she won’t have chance to swap back sooner!

Edited

Yeah, she crashed your car and she's trying to get it fixed before she gives it back.

But I don't know why you're being so passive. Tell her no. Tell her you to meet you at your house at X time today or you will be at hers at X time before she next goes to work. Even if you are inconvenienced, just go and get your car back. Don't worry about pissing her off, because she doesn't appear to be a great friend anyway.