Friend asking to pay for possible damage

[Nikki905]

My daughter and I travelled in the back of a friend's expensive newish car a few weeks ago for a short journey.

Today, she messaged me today to say she noticed a lot of scratches on the back seat of my car suddenly and did my daughter put her feet up at all?

I told her I didn't see her do this and it's not something she'd typically do. She then said she wants someone to repair it and it was probably her niece or nephew. I said, if no one else sat there since my daughter, it's a possibility and I would help sort it out. She then replied, 'yes please'.

I can't be sure it wasn't my daughter, but for the sake of this friendship, I've offered to help. Of course, if we saw my daughter kick or scuff the seat back, I would pay in full, however it's not clear.

What do you think is reasonable in this situation?

Wow - cars are there to be used. The back of the seats will get knocked and scuffed by feet accidentally all the time. If you don't want that then don't take people in the back. That's truly bizarre to bring that up especially when she has no idea who did it

I'm confused as to what "damage" would warrant having the material replaced if it wasn't with a knife or similar. Scuff marks from trainers just wipe off 😳

I don't think its too late to change your mind at all. Have you even seen a picture of the damage. A quick google showed loads of articles on how to repair scratches on plastic interiors and also Halfords have products for this. Even polishing with toothpaste.

I was concerned to hear that your car seat was damaged but on consideration I don't think it was my daughter. I've looked at her shoes and there's no sign of anything on them which could have caused extensive scratches to your car and I didn't see her getting agitated in the back seat enough to cause such a high level of damage.
You said you agreed readily to pay (without knowing how much) for the sake of keeping the friendship. But a true friend wouldn't try it on like this? She is very unreasonable.