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Original poster

Kerbed new car at low speed :(

20 replies

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 18:46

Didn’t know where else to put this...

Not massively sure what to do as I’ve only recently passed my driving test (5 weeks ago) and this is my first driving related incident!

I managed to (like a complete idiot!) kerb my new car at very low speed today...less than 10mph...coming out of a multi-storey. I could use the excuse of the fact I’m getting used to a much bigger car etc, but I won’t make excuses...it’s iust one of those things. I just thank the Lord it was just me and a kerb and not another car involved! I’m normally really careful and cautious so this has really knocked my confidence :(

The car seems to be driving fine, just superficial damage to my front driver side alloy.

Anybody who knows anything about cars...would you take the car to garage/tyre place as a precaution to get things like alignment, wheel bearings checked etc? My husband thinks I’m being paranoid, even though he was horrible to me at the time and treated me like I was the only person in the world to have ever hit a kerb whilst driving! (Something he has never done 🙄 NOT!)

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks 🙏

OP posts:

DomesticAnarchist · 31/08/2018 18:55

Referred to as 'driving by braille' (often 'parking by braille') in this house.

It's no big deal. If you notice a wobble or vibration when you're driving faster later, or if it's pulling to one side or the other then go and get the wheels balanced/tracking sorted. Or if you think you've damaged a tyre a puncture will become apparent and you can deal with that if it happens.

If it's not a fancy brand new shiny car you need to keep perfect for resale etc (ours never are), and you haven't bumped anyone else's car, there's really nothing to worry about. It happens to everyone (even your DH).

TrippingTheVelvet · 31/08/2018 18:56

I know little to nothing about cars but been driving a decade. I wouldn't think about after the initial ffs tbh other than trying to be more careful next time.

Kidssendingmenuts · 31/08/2018 18:58

Jesus if I took my car to the garage everytime I curbed the car I'd be living there! Ha ha. Honestly you don't need to go, they may even try and con you and ooohh and aaahhh about it etc. It's fine honestly! X

pastaandpestoagain · 31/08/2018 18:59

It isn't that unsual for people to do that OP. There are specialist companies that come out to your car and redo your alloys if you really care about it. Otherwise, just chalk it down to experience and move on. (Have a look at alloys on other older cars in the streets, you will see how common it is)

andpeggy1 · 31/08/2018 19:00

If it still feels ok to drive, then no need to worry. It won't be the last time you do it

TroubledLichen · 31/08/2018 19:02

Ignore your husband, it’s not a big deal and people misjudge the curb particularly if it’s tight all the time. It is just one of those things.

As for the tire pressure, if it’s a new(ish) car you can presume it’s fine because you’d get a dashboard warning if it wasn’t. Check the tracking by finding a quiet but straight road, drive down it slowly, make sure the wheel is straight then lift you hands off the wheel for a few seconds. If the car starts to drift left or right then it needs to go to a garage ASAP. The scratched alloy is purely superficial.

Redglitter · 31/08/2018 19:02

I don't know how many times I've done that over the years. My cars never been damaged. I wouldn't give it another thought. It won't be the last time you do it

Panicmode1 · 31/08/2018 19:03

I hit a bollard in a shopping centre last week pulling out of a space where they were on my left hand side (to differentiate the pedestrians from the traffic), and have totalled my passenger side door (at a cost of over £2k as we need a new door). I've been driving for over 20 years, and have NEVER had a single accident/scrape etc and feel totally stupid. I would so love for it to have been a minor kerb incident as I feel a total muppet.....however, that doesn't help you, but I hope it makes you feel a little less silly!

I'm sure the car is fine, but as DomesticAnarchist said, unless the car is pulling to one side or you have a puncture, just chalk it up to experience....

Original poster

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 19:06

Thanks for the comments so far! They have really cheered me up. I felt so shit straight after doing it. I am worried about taking it to a garage and potentially being conned if there is in fact nothing wrong. Superficial damage to alloys doesn’t worry me in the long run. It’s a new car to us, but not brand new (2 years old) and yes....I’ve been in the car several times when hubby has clipped the kerb before so did feel he overreacted Just slightly 🙄🤣

OP posts:

ifoundthebread · 31/08/2018 19:07

If it makes you feel any better I got my father to lease me a brand new car from his work (also my first ever car) and I drove over a screw and got a puncture within 3 hours of having it and then 2 days later took a corner too tight and now have £2.5k worth of damage to my car and damaged another car (lucky enough it was my cousins, so she isn't pushing for her bumper to be fixed asap) but will need fixing before the car goes back.

Like you say, it's one of those things. What's done is done, take it as a lesson learnt. Unless the car starts giving a reason for concern I wouldn't worry about taking it to a garage, they will just see an easy target.

Make sure to not let it beat you, make sure you get back in the car and not let it knock your confidence too much, happens to us all.

Whatsthisbear · 31/08/2018 19:15

Referred to as 'driving by braille' (often 'parking by braille') in this house.

My DH goes mad but I always park close (too close?) to the kerb, next time he complains I will tell him I’m just “parking by Braille”

Op you will be driving a long time, I’m sure you cars will suffer much worse (by others not yourself) but if it makes you feel better : Shortly after passing my test I thought I would be a show off and reverse onto the drive......smashed the rear lights

Original poster

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 19:16

Update don’t know whether to laugh or cry... this is just unbelievable!

Hubby just rang me on his way back from work: he’s stuck in the middle of nowhere having hit a Kerb in his car, but he’s blown the tyre out completely 🤣🙈

What are the odds?!

This could prove to be an expensive day 😔

OP posts:

Original poster

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 19:17

Oh and for the record he’s been driving 12 years.

I doubt he did it to make me feel better either 🙈

OP posts:

TroubledLichen · 31/08/2018 19:19

I’m sorry as I know it’s expensive for you but under the circumstances that is pretty funny. Karma at its finest!

Original poster

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 19:22

Under the circumstances very very funny...I honestly am laughing and crying simultaneously 😭🤣

OP posts:

Frusso · 31/08/2018 20:38

I'd also be teasing him that he's stranded because he can't change a tyre.

TatterdemalionAspie · 31/08/2018 20:50

Do you mean that you clipped the kerb with your tyre, whilst going round the corner? If so, I wouldn't worry urgently. As your DP found out, if you do it to hard then you bust the tyre and are temporarily fucked. If you clip it lightly and don't burst the tyre, then you've just knocked your tracking off a bit. In the very worst case scenario (when you hit it hard but don't burst it), you might have weakened it enough that it's more liable to burst at speed. Go to a garage you trust and get them to check the tracking and whether there are any bulges (the sign that you've weakened it).

TatterdemalionAspie · 31/08/2018 20:51

*too hard

Original poster

Anontastic1 · 31/08/2018 21:01

@Frusso I had considered this! Haha! He attempted to use the spare, but apparently it had corroded so was useless! He recently got given the car by an elderly family member who can no longer drive, but declined to check the spare before driving it 🙄. Thank goodness for breakdown cover though!

@TatterdemalionAspie thanks, that seems sound advice! It made an awful noise...but I cant see any visible damage to the tyre itself just the alloy. I was going very slowly, but like you say could possibly have put the tracking out a bit. Will do a test tomorrow to see if I can feel it pulling and if so will get to a garage ASAP!

OP posts:

Yogagirl123 · 31/08/2018 21:07

Don’t be hard on yourself OP, most drivers have done the same at some point.

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