Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Man wants me to pay for his car repairs

10 replies

Gobeithio · 04/02/2019 17:13

A week ago I forgot to apply the hand brake when I parked the car when picking up the kids from school. When I returned, the car had rolled forward maybe 2 metres into another car. I reversed and checked the other car - thankfully not a scratch on it, which I guess wasn't surprising as the road was pretty much flat so the impact must have been super slow. Didn't want to run off without saying anything, so left my details on the car windscreen and said to contact me if there was any problem.

The owner called me the next day, hadn't seen any damage. Then he called me again today, said he's taken it to the garage and that the car has a cracked bumper (£250 + VAT to fix) and needs further investigation to see if it has a damaged axle and some other stuff. Expects me to pay it.

Now, I'm happy to pay for any damage I caused (well, not happy, but you know!) ... but I'm wondering if this guy is taking the piss. There was not even the tiniest mark on the car - 2 people witnessed the whole thing and one of them ran his hand over the whole area afterwards, had a good look, and declared all was well. So, the idea that there has been 100s of £ worth of damage caused makes me a bit

The owner gave me the phone number of the body shop where he took it so I can speak to the guy who had a look, but I haven't called yet and not sure even what to ask ... I mean, even if the car's damaged, how can anyone know it was caused by my car? If it had been an indentation matching my car bumper, then fair enough, but this is all a bit odd.

Interested in honest reactions to this, please. My natural reaction in situations like this is to feel so awkward that I will just pay up, but also trying not to get taken advantage of.

Also ... any suggestions about what to ask when I do call the body shop would be welcome. Thank you

OP posts:

PineappleTart · 04/02/2019 17:16

Similar happened to a friend of mine. The car they hit was different to the one in the garage

MonicaBellucci · 04/02/2019 17:17

Did you take a photograph of the car, bumper and note you left to record the state it was in when you drove off?

dementedpixie · 04/02/2019 17:18

Maybe you should have taken pictures of the other car to prove no damage. Or call his bluff and say the pictures yoy took show no damage so you aren't paying anything

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

cowfacemonkey · 04/02/2019 17:18

Ask him for his insurance details and say you'd prefer to go through proper channels. If you left the hand brake off and caused damage then obviously it needs sorting, if you're suspicious he's trying to scam you then let the insurance company deal with it.

ChrisjenAvasarala · 04/02/2019 17:19

Unless you took photographs, and very clear photographs of the entire back and close ups of the area you hit, then you won't really be able to argue it.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 04/02/2019 17:20

Isn't the normal answer on MN that you should have already informed your insurance company and get him to deal directly with them about it.

Original poster

Gobeithio · 04/02/2019 17:28

Thanks for the replies. Stupidly I didn't take pics (I visit that road often though so might try tomorrow) although I have 2 witnesses - one being the guy who had a close look and declared all was well, the other my son's teacher who saw him do it.

My concern with the insurance company is whether this will make my premiums rocket 😣

OP posts:

Insomnibrat · 04/02/2019 17:45

Bent axle? He's trying to scare you. LOFL.
What is his car?

NicoAndTheNiners · 04/02/2019 17:50

He's quite possibly right.

Dh got rear ended at traffic lights once. Got out and didn't see a mark on his car. Other driver was very sorry, etc admitted it was his fault. Dh didn't bother taking his details as he thought his car was fine.

Turns out the colour coded bumper was cracked but inside, or st the edge. It wasn't safe and had to be removed. Dh refused to buy another as it was cosmetic part only but I was always slightly annoyed that he hadn't taken the other persons details. But guess it was his car. But yes, no visible mark on it.

Original poster

Gobeithio · 04/02/2019 21:54

Insomnibrat He has a Kia, only a few years old. I looked up the body shop he's taken it to and it's 17 miles away from him ... seems like the axle can't be that damaged if he was able to make a 34 mile round trip this afternoon 🤨

Nico If he had just mentioned the bumper it might have been plausible, but the 'my axle might be knackered' smells fishy. Especially after he's been driving it round for a week. And then there was the 'I don't know if you want to go through your insurance company or not?' when he called today ... see if he has the balls to tell it my insurance company, methinks.

OP posts:

Flip