Is my neighbour a cf? what do I say?

[Pleaseleavemealone]

morning,
have slightly changed so as not to out..
yesterday I knocked into my neighbours car and slightly cosmetically damaged it. Was not on the body work but on a plastic part that can be taken off and easily put back on. Of course I immediately offered to replace this part, and neighbour says yes we'll look on the internet for a part. So ive looked on the internet and found a new part, about to order only to get a message from neighbour saying "this is the quote we've got, its X amount, hope that's ok we'll let you know when its finished".
They had already booked it in to be fixed in the garage at that point without saying anything to me, as I was under the impression that we were just going to get a part from the internet. Believe me when I say this is the easiest fix, a child could do it. Its literally screwing a bit of plastic on. Thing is, the garage they have gone to has charged extortionate prices (think 3.5x what I estimated), inflated money for the part and obviously charged for labour, which I'm not happy about as it's literally a ten minute easy job that can absolutely be done by yourself.
I don't even have this kind of money, it would have even been a stretch for me to pay the price I thought it would be.
I know it's ultimately their decision on how they get their car fixed, but I really feel my neighbour didn't have to take it to a top of the range garage and is being ridiculous expecting me to hand over that money without discussion.

You may have done more damage than is immediately visible under the plastic part. It needs to be looked at properly by a garage. Use your insurance.

Agree, you are the CF here. If my car was damaged I wouldn’t stand for a part from the Internet screwed on by some random who is not qualified to do so no matter how simple. I would go through insurance and take it somewhere I was happy with and let my insurance sort it out with you no matter how friendly we were as neighbours. That’s exactly why I have insurance.

Sorry I am with your neighbour on this one

You say it could be done xyz way, it’s simple etc, are you a mechanic?

Someone knocked into me, got a scuff on part of the bumper plus sone other small damage. Total cost over £1000 partly as the whole bumper had to be replaced as one unit, that’s what could be happening here

Why should his car not be put right to what it was because of your actions?

If you can’t afford it go through insurance

I think if someone damaged my car, no matter what they damaged and how easy it was to replace, I'd want it done at a reputable garage. You're lucky they didnt insist on going through your insurance to be honest.

I completely agree. You might feel you'd be OK to fix it, but they may not. After all, what happens if the part is faulty or there's further damage caused by fitting it? You going to pay for that too? If it's done by a garage the car owner has some comeback for any issues further down the line.

Ultimately, this is what car insurance is for. If it's going to be more than you want to pay, ask them to claim.

YABU, and you are the CF here, not the neighbour.

You damaged thier car, and it's up to them how they want their car to be repaired. They want a professional job (as would I), so that is what needs to happen. You may be happy with a DIY cheap replacement part, but they do not have to settle for that.

If you cannot afford it, it's time to involve your insurance company (who you should inform, of the accident anyway, even if you do not intend to claim).

Cf. No.
Some people like to have the responsiblity of repairs done professionally.
Whatever the size of the repair or cost it is decent to get it sorted with little hassle and fuss.
Cars are problems and repairs are some people's worst nightmare.
Not everyone's savvy or cheap skate.

Sorry but you damaged their car and they want their car in good condition for their benefit and future appeal when selling, if this quote is too expensive then I think you will have to report and go through insurance company.

Either find a cheaper quote yourself or go through insurance. They are not being unreasonable, you damaged their car and they want it fixed properly

I always say go through insurance. I had a neighbour claim I'd done all sorts of their damage to their car (not a mark on it). First it was fine, then they could fix it for a few ££, then it escalated to a few hundred (he was going to do it all himself there was no garage involved). Fortunately I'd told the insurance company so just directed them that way. Found out a while later they were trying it on with the insurance company, who were refusing to pay up. Dodged a bullet.

@summersolstice43

I think if someone damaged my car, no matter what they damaged and how easy it was to replace, I'd want it done at a reputable garage. You're lucky they didnt insist on going through your insurance to be honest.

This ^

I wouldn't risk a DIY job on any part of my car to suit someone else. I'd want it properly fixed and I would also be going through insurance. Drive carefully next time.

Are you insured @Pleaseleavemealone ,is that the reason for the DIY job

Go through insurance, always! Never worth playing this game, take it from someone who used to deal with claims.

What is the part, makes a difference whether I'd feel more confident getting it done right or an amateur job that may cause issues later. I'd also want like for like, so manufacturer parts.

If you don't like the price go through your insurance.

@PinkCast

Mug. You can fix small dents by pouring boiling water from the kettle on them That might be fine if you sent your own car, but if someone hits my car and damages it I'm not going to pour boiling water from the kettle on it just to save you money!

Totally agree!!

It's one thing to fix your own car in that way, but if you damage another persons car then they get to say how it's repaired. There are other considerations like if it's leased etc which will determine how someone will want it fixed as cosmetic damage will affect the value.

I would want it done professionally. Who knows if there is hidden damage? It's a bit of a cheek to expect them to get a part off the internet for a DIY job.

If my car is damaged, it is getting fixed by a professional.

I have a regular garage I use and have developed trust with over time. In the event of an accident, it’s not unreasonable for you to ask for a second quote as long as the car is capable of being moved. Do keep in mind that takes time on the part of your neighbor and is can actually be quite inconvenient so if you don’t expect decent savings it’s not really worth the effort.

Maybe they are getting the part of the internet and fixing it themselves.
I’m cynical though!!
If you can’t afford it go through your insurance.

Hello, I damaged a friends car in a parking accident.

I gave them a choice: if the repair was low hundreds I'd pay cash, if it was high hundreds they needed to put through insurance. (BTW the amounts don't matter for comparison, it was what I was prepared to pay to not use insurance as I have a cheap policy with a high excess by choice).

They choose cash, but the point is it was their choice.

I would suggest same with neighbour. They are welcome to choose a dealer repair, (reasonable in my opinion) but if so it will need to be an insurance claim.

Tell them that you will have to go through your insurance because it is far too much.

I'm confused as to why you are complaining, I think they've been very kind considering you damaged your car, whether you think it is a quick, easy fix or not. Unless you are a qualified mechanic, you have to take their word. They were nice enough not to insist you go through your insurance, if they are providing receipts to show they paid out the cost quoted then you have no choice. Be more careful next time.

I think you are a cf. as others said it's their choice

😟 sorry but if this was me I’d put it into the garage too. I think you’re in the wrong.

Did you have this conversation with them?

I think hitting someone's car and not offering to pay for it to be fixed professionally is a little cheeky tbh.

Someone hit mine only last week and I told them I'd get it sorted at a local garage I trusted and they can pay. I did run the quote past them first though - that's one thing the neighbour could've done out of courtesy.

People will just go to the garage that they know and trust when there’s a problem with their car, that’s not ridiculous at all, assuming they’re prepared to show you the quote provided by the garage.