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Original poster

Neighbour idling car at 6.30

33 replies

Magenta82 · 10/06/2023 07:08

I'm after some advice on what to do in this situation.

The last few mornings a neighbour over the road has been starting his car on the drive at between 6.15 and 6.30 and then leaving idling for 5 to 20 minutes. He did it this morning (Saturday) at 6.30.

It's a stupid flash super car that probably cost more than the house and it is really loud, much louder than a normal car. It either wakes us up or shakes us out of a doze and makes it impossible to get back to sleep.

DP has PTSD and anxiety and ends up shaking stress/anxiety/anger about the noise, the time, the inconsiderate neighbour etc. I know shaking is a MN cliche but I'm not exaggerating, mental health can have serious physical manifestations.He is getting treatment but it is obviously a very slow process, I'm worried that one morning he is going to go over there.

It's summer so there is no ice to clear etc so I have no idea why he needs to do it, but I'm assuming there is a reason and he isn't doing it to annoy people. Is it even reasonable to ask him not to?

OP posts:
Rightiothen13 · 10/06/2023 09:55

Magenta82 · 10/06/2023 09:52

We moved in 18 months ago, he has had the car the whole time, he did it a couple of times last year but not as much or for as long, plus DP was in a better place mentally so it was annoying but not so upsetting.

Don't really know him, just to nod at.

So previous to this, he’s only done it a “couple of times”

in that case, likely a reason for it. Not that that makes it any better. Still thoughtless. So stroll over there and have a chat or a note if you’d rather. Needn’t be high drama .

PandoraAdoreYa · 10/06/2023 09:56

Some good advice here but in my head I'd be considering taking a photo of said flash car, posting it on social media (on a nice local large group) saying "does anyone know whether cars like this in Privet Drive are allowed to sit with their engine on every morning from 6:30 with their owners not about?". And hope that some locals come and do you a favour.
That's in my head. I'd probably chicken out of doing that.

Rightiothen13 · 10/06/2023 10:03

PandoraAdoreYa · 10/06/2023 09:56

Some good advice here but in my head I'd be considering taking a photo of said flash car, posting it on social media (on a nice local large group) saying "does anyone know whether cars like this in Privet Drive are allowed to sit with their engine on every morning from 6:30 with their owners not about?". And hope that some locals come and do you a favour.
That's in my head. I'd probably chicken out of doing that.

Why on earth would you do that before having a word with him??

Treaclemine · 10/06/2023 10:05

The Canadian government produced a document stating why idling to "warm up" was bad idea. It ws obviously during winter weather, and Canadian winter weather. I printed it out for a neighbour who was deliberately doing it under my windows so I had to shut them, as part of harassment, but I never had the chutzpah to deliver it. They had a number oif reasons for it being bad for the car.

Vitriolinsanity · 10/06/2023 10:10

I feel your pain OP, my neighbour "warms up" her motorbike for 5-10mins before roaring off. I can guarantee, given the wether here today, she will do it at 3pm. This means I will have to come in from my garden because the exhaust gives me a headache.

21 years nowAngry

gingeristhenewblack43 · 10/06/2023 10:11

You have my sympathy OP! My next door neighbour has a modified car that wakes me every morn at 6.25am. My bedroom window is adjacent to their drive. It's bad enough the sound of the car starting but then he sits there for 5-10 mins with the engine idling even in the Summer 🤬

I spoke to him about it once and he said there was an issue with the engine and it was going to the garage to be fixed at the weekend. The following week it was louder!!

It's awful being startled awake every morning and no you don't just get used to it eventually. I did think about putting a potato in his exhaust but he has a ring doorbell. Maybe I'll dress up for Halloween and do it!

Until then I'll do what I've done for the past 2-3 years and silently seethe every time I hear his car 😡

Shade17 · 10/06/2023 10:29

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 10/06/2023 08:40

It's actually illegal. Ask him to stop or report him. Utter cunts..

Not on his drive it isn’t

RhymingGuitars · 10/06/2023 12:02

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 10/06/2023 08:40

It's actually illegal. Ask him to stop or report him. Utter cunts..

It's only illegal on a public road. The police and/or Environment Agency /LA can't do anything about this on private land (which his drive is).

Neighbour may not be aware of the issue, a polite note or even better a quick face to face cyst should help resolve.

Alternatively......headphones/earplugs will help. Far from ideal I appreciate, but better than disturbed sleep.

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