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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have left a note on this car?

42 replies

NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:03

Serial namechanger..

We live in converted flats with a large enclosed car park outside our house that belongs to the residents. Each space is numbered but no one uses their own space. We're on the ground floor and generally use the same space outside our french doors if it's available. It wasn't the other day as a bright green car was parked there so we parked next to it.

DP went out to the car yesterday and noticed right away a large dent in our car scraped with green paint. No note on the car, he looked for the green car that was parked there the day before and found the car over the opposite side of the car park. Said car always parks in the same area of the car park i.e. 1 of four spaces in front of our house. Never over the other side of the car park where it was now parked. He went over and checked the green car and found residual damage on the driver door at the same height as the dent on our car.

Tonight he left a note simply stating "please contact re: the dent in ".

Since that note was left earlier the car has moved and the note is no longer there.

We do not know where they stay within the block of flats (2 buildings, 3 different entrances, approx 40 apartments).

First of all WHBU to leave a note?? And secondly what should we do now???

Attached is a picture of the dent!

AIBU to have left a note on this car?
OP posts:
skylark2 · 09/01/2015 22:06

I don't suppose he took a picture of the damage on the green car complete with numberplate?

If the car's regularly there, it will be back. I would get the numberplate, take pictures of the damage, and ask your insurer what to do next.

Icimoi · 09/01/2015 22:07

What's the point in leaving a note if they're already ignoring a previous note? Better to try to track them down if possible.

AndHarry · 09/01/2015 22:07

I hope your DH got the car registration number? Call your insurers and give their registration plate so they can liaise with the other car's insurers.

Icimoi · 09/01/2015 22:09

Oops , sorry, misread your OP. No , fine for DH to leave a note.

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:09

He's taken pictures of the other car and also of the reg plate. The car is parked here regularly so definitely a resident also.

Didn't want to involve the insurance if possible to keep the premiums down!

OP posts:
JudgeyHotPants · 09/01/2015 22:10

Did you get the registration details? If so I'd contact the police, failiure to stop at the scene of an accident is an offence.

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:11

We're annoyed that the other person has bashed our car and hasn't said anything!! We're holding out hope that they are going to come by tomorrow and 'fess up... (and offer to pay for it...)

OP posts:
Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:12

Was wondering about contacting the police? But it wasn't an accident per say as both cars would have been stationery?

OP posts:
PancakesAndMapleSyrup · 09/01/2015 22:14

Report the incident to the police. They will give you a self reporting form, you fill it out, it will go off to their traffic dept to deal with. Inc as much as poss inc photos or their car (residual damage) and yours etc. You ought to do this within 24 hours of the incident but generally arnt that worried if it only happened a few days ago (not any longer) . You really need to to this, people piss me off when they damage someones car and just fuck off!

102030 · 09/01/2015 22:14

is there any CCTV that might have filmed it?

whitewithblackspots · 09/01/2015 22:16

This happened to DH in our old block of flats (except the guy hadn't even bothered to move the car, it was still wedged next to DH's - he had poor eyesight and mobility and we don't think he even noticed he'd done it).

DH went and knocked on his door - they guy wanted his friend to repair it but DH wanted it done properly at the Audi garage so ended up having to go through the insurance.

He took photos of the damage on both cars, the other guy then denied he had done it. The insurers made plans to take him to court and I think the day before the court case declared responsibility.

Was a pain in the arse . Sympathies.

suitsyousir · 09/01/2015 22:16

Im an insurance fraud investigator. The Police will very likely do lite in this type of scenario unfortunately.

Best thing to do is to report the matter to your insurer. They will trace the owner through the insurance database or DVLA. They may then undertake an investigation with the possibility of forensically examining both vehicles if practical. If the owner didnt leave a note or respond to your DH note its unlikely they will be willing to respond to requests to pay for the damage.

That said if no one saw the actual collision and the other owner denies it completely it may go nowhere anyway. Not the best of scenarios if I am honest with you, but they are your best options.

suitsyousir · 09/01/2015 22:18

*little

CleanLinesSharpEdges · 09/01/2015 22:18

Report to the police. This person has left the scene of an accident without attempting to report it or find out who owns the car.

If this was in a supermarket car park and you didn't have a clue who'd done it the police would be useless but in this case they'll have a look at the car, document the damage and visit the owner and tell them to provide you with their insurance details.

whitewithblackspots · 09/01/2015 22:20

I'm not sure if the police would get involved if it happened on private property?

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:20

No CCTV. Thanks suitsyou, we kind of figured that about not getting anywhere unfortunately.

Really annoyed that someone would do this and ignore it!! I can possibly understand in a supermarket car park etc when there's no way of being traced but the only bright green car in the car park that ALWAYS parks near us and suddenly doesn't the day after??

Pissed off and feeling helpless!

OP posts:
FightOrFlight · 09/01/2015 22:21

Keep an eye out for the car being parked, follow them to where they live and kick a big dent in their front door.

(joking)

Contact insurers and give them the photographic evidence.

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:23

I'm definitely keeping an eye out for stalking them this weekend and will be confronting them about it.

OP posts:
suitsyousir · 09/01/2015 22:28

I witnessed a car cause damage to another car in a car park and drove off. I managed to get a photo of it happening and its number plate amd left my details saying what I had seen on the damaged cars windscreen. Never heard a thing back Confused

My DPs car is less than a year old and someone dented it in a car park and drove off without leaving a note. we will live with the dent but it is just so annoying!

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:33

Why would no one get in touch with you when you've left details about witnessing it? Very strange!

I don't want to live with it!! It gives me the rage Angry

OP posts:
suitsyousir · 09/01/2015 22:39

I agree it was odd. I understand you dont want to live with it. I would rather not, but my DP pays for the insurance and hasnt protected her no claims and would rather have the dent than the possible extra premium. luckily the dent isnt too noticeable.

hope you get it sorted, if your insurer isnt very helpful feel free to pm me and I can try and offer some further pointers.

Original poster
NeighbourBashedAndRan · 09/01/2015 22:54

Thank you, much appreciated! Will contact the insurers in the morning and see what they say. And will keep an eye out for the owners of the car!

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 09/01/2015 23:00

The police will get involved, my dad hit a neighbours car in the carpark, neighbours banshee girlfriend came out screeching at him and his short fuse went and he told her to fuck off and get her boyfriend to contact him. Probably not the best way to deal with it but she was in the residents car park screaming and shouting like a crazed person.

The police came later and cautioned my dad for failing to stop and report and leaving scene of an incident. Call them now before damage is fixed on green car.

GobTheGoblin · 09/01/2015 23:36

I'd 'name & shame' them by putting posters up in both buildings saying what has happened and photos showing the damage.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 09/01/2015 23:42

Someone bashed my car in a car park, I hadnt even had that long when it happened.