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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I accidentally clipped someone's car and need to own up

47 replies

recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 04:33

I think I accidentally clipped someone's car yesterday and I drove off.

I was in my husband's car and thought I'd clipped a shopping trolley barrier. Ingot out and had a look and there was no damage to my car.

However when I got home there's a small scratch on the boot on the other side which means I may have clipped the car on the other side. It didn't occurs to me at the time as I was sure it was the other side.

My husband's car has a boot and mine doesn't.

I don't know what to do. I need to own up don't I. Should I own up to the supermarket?

OP posts:
Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 04:58

I'm shaking a bit now. I need to phone the supermarket tomorrow don't I.

OP posts:
BathshebaDarkstone · 01/11/2015 05:07

Ooh I don't know, but have a strong, sweet cup of tea for shock. Brew I'd really have no idea what to do in your situation. Flowers

Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 05:13

Thanks for the flowers.

I also don't want to have to tell me husband I've clipped his car either!

OP posts:
Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 05:16

There will undoubtedly by CCTV too so they could trace the car too.

OP posts:
BBQueen · 01/11/2015 05:53

If it's on the other side, is it possible that someone else has clipped you? I would phone the supermarket and leave your telephone number in case anyone asks them about it, but wouldn't be surprised if you don't get contacted. Don't worry, these things happen and it is only a car!

thecheekofthem · 01/11/2015 06:42

Driving off is a criminal offence so best to email so that there's a record of your effort

Believeitornot · 01/11/2015 06:50

Yes own up if you can.

I got very upset when our car got hit in the carpark leaving a dent and nobody owned up. They hit it, quite hard to leave a dent and off they drove!!!

Outfoxed · 01/11/2015 06:52

Ring the shop and just say "I think I might have clipped someone's car in your carpark yesterday, if anyone reports it can you give them my name and number so we can sort it out?"
They'll write down your details, and most likely nothing will ever come of it, but youll have done all you can and can rest easy.

wowfudge · 01/11/2015 07:30

As pps have said, yes do own up and give the supermarket your details. Someone pranged my car recently in a supermarket car park and drove off. Not good.

ovenchips · 01/11/2015 07:45

OP I saw the timing of your posts and really hope you've not been up in the night worrying about this.

You have NOT done a bad thing. You checked your car when it happened, and came to a sensible decision to drive off based on the fact that you couldn't see any marks on your car. Anyone else would have done this too in the absence of marks. Please don't blame yourself for this.

Now you've seen a mark, please don't panic. If you want to put your mind at rest do as PPs have said: give the supermarket a quick ring and leave your details (keep a note of who you speak to). I think the incidence of CCTV in supermarket car parks varies.

As for feeling nervous about telling your DH about the mark on his car, you really shouldn't need to feel nervous about this. What happened was very minor and an accident. What do you think your husband's reaction would be?

Tyrannosaurus · 01/11/2015 07:59

You need to report this to the police in case the other driver does. No harm in contacting the supermarket too but police is the important one. Most likely the other driver hasn't even noticed, and nothing will come of it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Junosmum · 01/11/2015 08:04

I'm with tyrannosaurus

Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 08:17

Thank you all. M

I told my husband, he was fine about it.

I'll call the supermarket and the police station today.

Everything is better in the daylight Smile

OP posts:
fallenangel14 · 01/11/2015 08:41

I'd just pop into the police station - that's what I did. They took a few details but nothing came of it. What if there are a number of bumped into cars in the supermarket? (Wouldn't be surprising would it?) how would they know which one you'd hit? I doubt CCTV is very clear

DisappointedOne · 01/11/2015 09:37

My husband's car has a boot and mine doesn't.

What has this got to do with anything?

Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 09:41

Disappointed - because as I swung out of the space, I think I clipped something with the boot as I'm not used to having to take the extra into account

OP posts:
Ellreejeee · 01/11/2015 09:46

Oh I wouldn't worry, ive been driving for over 29 years in cities. Clipping cars is just part of life!

Original poster
recyclingbag · 01/11/2015 09:49

I've rung the supermarket. They said no one has reported anything.

OP posts:
Ellreejeee · 01/11/2015 09:57

Hun I'd take a long stay bag and present yourself at the police station ...

Its a bump no one with a sane mind cares about them. If they did id be bankrupt by now!

originalmavis · 01/11/2015 09:59

It happens - we get a lot of dings and scrapes and noone ever owned up.

We only ever whacked someone once - we tracked the man down in a shop and swapped details. He was lovely and it was the last we heard of it.

catfordbetty · 01/11/2015 10:55

You really don't need to inform the police. You've done all you need to, now enjoy Sunday.

originalmavis · 01/11/2015 11:10

We do expect a few scratches - we are in central London and park on street on residents. I really only lost it when some bastards scraped the bonnet of the car when it was brand new - either setting something heavy and pointy on it or sitting on it with rivets on their jeans - it looked like a small child has scribbled on it and we had a 3x3 inch square of scratches (deep ones). Or when some git gouged the nose by propping their Boris bike again at it whilst they popped into a house opposite (our neighbour saw them).

ilovesooty · 01/11/2015 11:11

Ellreejeee you do realise that failing to stop/report is an offence?
To the OP - hope you feel better now you've decided what to do.

PunkrockerGirl · 01/11/2015 11:14

Our car was pranged in Morrison's car park. The store were spectacularly unhelpful and didn't want to know. Happens all the time according to ds who works there.

originalmavis · 01/11/2015 11:15

We had an old beetle once. People used to unbolt bits and nick them!