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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be annoyed at having to pay for this car to be re-sprayed?

231 replies

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:39

Before I start I'll just say - I know I have to pay for this!! I'm just wondering where I stand about knowing whether I'm being a bit diddled or not!!

My 3 year old son was riding his bike along the pavement and as he came round the corner there was a car (brand new Audi) parked taking up the majority of the pavement. His Dad was behind him and shouted at him to stop, he didn't and subsequently scratched the car, over 2 panels.

We wrote a note explaining the damage, took some pictures and left it at that. The scratch was long but didn't look too deep.

That was about 10 days ago, today we've had a message from the owner saying it's going to a garage tomorrow and may need a full respray of both panels.

My husband thinks that's rubbish and that it could be sorted without respraying, I have no knowledge on the subject.

We will obviously cover the cost, although it bloody irks me because the car was (and always is) parked ridiculously and blocking the pavement for anyone pushing a buggy / in a wheelchair. My question is - is there anything I can do to check that they're not having a respray when they don't need one?! And is there anyway I can lower the cost (prices ranging from a couple of hundred to over a grand have been bandied about) as I'm not sure where we're going to find the money as yet!!!

Or do I just suck it up and find some way to pay it?!!

OP posts:
reddington · 19/03/2018 08:10

It depends. Someone did exactly the same to my micra. Scratched 2 panels with a bike. Because my car was old the paint was no longer available. It would have cost £700 plus VAT to get the panels resprayed with the paint mixed to match.

I don’t know who told you that crap, whenever you buy automotive paint it’s mixed to order.

ReinettePompadour · 19/03/2018 10:17

I don’t know who told you that crap @reddington Nissan did repeatedly Hmm .

SoupDragon · 19/03/2018 11:15

Chips Away are really good. You can’t see where my car was scratched at all. He did a fantastic job.

SoupDragon · 19/03/2018 11:17

IIRC, my car cost about £350 for the rear wheel arch and door.

bruffin · 19/03/2018 13:17

The car dd damaged cost £650 15 years ago, they were insisting on Vauxhall repairing which is why we went through insurance. I have since moved to the car industry and now know that dealers dont necessarily have bodyshops and these type of jobs are contracted out to companies like Chipsaway.

anneoneill · 19/03/2018 13:24

Just so we're clear, there are posters finding fault with a 3 year old using their bike on a pavement?

Mumsnet has jumped the fucking shark.

bruffin · 19/03/2018 13:43

Totally agree Anneoneill

DopeyDazy · 19/03/2018 15:31

tbh I don't think you've got any liability had he been parked in the road and you damaged it he would have a case. He doesn't seem too fussed about falling out with you over it he could offer half as he was inconsideratly parked I would basically tell him to feck off

OutyMcOutface · 19/03/2018 15:38

There isn’t any alternative to a respray to fix that kind of car. You should count yourself lucky. Audi panels are designed to crumple on impact (safer for pedestrians). Your DS could have easily put a dent in it.

whyohwhy111 · 19/03/2018 15:40

Whilst the nice thing to do is cover the cost, you would not be held accountable due to legal loopholes on this matter. Additionally, any charges should go through his car insurance provider. I wouldn't hand over a penny yet, please seek legal advice it's a lot less costly.

Additionally, pedestrians have right of way at all times on the pavement unless certain signs are erect. You will not be liable.

Greenyogagirl · 19/03/2018 15:46

Do some of you even have kids?! All kids ride their bikes on the pavements and if the car wasn’t parked on the pavement the bike wouldn’t have scratched it. Let’s just keep children in pushchairs until they’re 16 shall we

CherryMaDeary · 19/03/2018 15:50

His fault for parking on the pavement. That's the risk you take. I've had fines for parking on the pavement.

My car has been pranged so many times by other cars, no one has ever left a note and I have always had to pay the excess and higher insurance costs.

I've never done a prang and run, but in your case, I wouldn't have left a note and I wouldn't pay this.

BishopBrennansArse · 19/03/2018 16:28

If that twat had been parked like that and I had to squeeze my wheelchair through and in the process his car got scratched he could fucking whistle for money from me.

woollyheart · 19/03/2018 16:30

For a brand new car, I would leave it to the insurers to sort out between them ( his car insurance & your home insurance) A cheap fix is probably not going to be acceptable to them...

TittyGolightly · 19/03/2018 17:36

Do some of you even have kids?! All kids ride their bikes on the pavements

Mine doesn’t! The kids on this estate wheel their bikes out of the street before riding (but then we do live on a hill).

DopeyDazy · 19/03/2018 17:42

Titty Golightly you expect a 3 year old to wheel his bike out on to the road to keep someone's precious car safely parked on the pavement , I am amazed

TittyGolightly · 19/03/2018 17:48

Titty Golightly you expect a 3 year old to wheel his bike out on to the road to keep someone's precious car safely parked on the pavement , I am amazed

Who said anything about wheeling it on the road?

SpitefulMidLifeAnimal · 19/03/2018 18:17

Do some of you even have kids?!

That is a fucking horrible thing to say.

Dopey unclutch those pearls eh? Titty said nothing about wheeling bikes on the road, just said that sometimes it is safer for a child to dismount until they have passed a danger spot. Which, quite frankly, is sensible advice.

BarbaraOcumbungles · 19/03/2018 18:33

Do some of you even have kids?!

That is a fucking horrible thing to say.

What is horrible about it?

Original poster
emmabrown123 · 19/03/2018 21:21

Just to update - had a message from the car owners Dad today. The garage thought the scratches are very minor (which Was what I thought as he didn't fall into the car, just grazed by it). They have quoted him £40 to get them out?!!!!

Now that doesn't seem right at all to me (much too cheap), but he's happy and so I am more than happy to pay that to keep the peace. Sent DH over to deliver it earlier with a big bar of chocolate. He also had a polite word and asked if he could make sure his son didn't block the pavement in the future. So alls well that ends well!

As for getting my 3 year old to dismount whilst pedalling round our road - definitely not! He'd be more of a liability wheeling it!! He's learnt a lesson (he's aware of what he did) and my DH has learnt to keep a slightly closer eye.

Thanks for all the advice 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

OP posts:
OriginalGeordie · 19/03/2018 21:27

Sorry but like hell would I be paying! The car was blocking the pavement, the owner deserves all they get!

goldenbulldog · 19/03/2018 21:53

it's likely it will need a full re spray
on another note good for you for owning up so many people would of just said nothing I have seen people hjt cars and drive off

TittyGolightly · 19/03/2018 21:55

Oh goodie. It’s Groundhog Day on here again. 🙄

Sweetpotatoaddict · 19/03/2018 22:08

Glad you got a decent outcome, £40 is absolutely affordable and justified.
Hope he’s seen sense and now parks on the road where cars should be Grin

RandomMess · 19/03/2018 22:25

Good outcome! Can't believe some of the nastiness on this thread towards you.

Hopefully the car owner will park appropriately from now and it will be a lesson learned.

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