What is the etiquette car borrowing

[Bangbangchittychitty]

My friend's car broke down, she doesn't have a lot of money and I told her she can borrow mine till she gets hers sorted. I am lucky we have two cars in my household, and we both work from home. She's had it for 3 weeks and she's just returned it with an empty tank. I wouldn't have expect a full tank but at least to leave it as she found it. I know money is tight for many of us so I am wondering AIBU?

Poor cat.

😄

Just be straightforward and text her and say she has returned it with less petrol than when she took it so please send you over £x.

I lent my car to a friend when both of theirs broke down at the same time. It was no biggie to me as we were away.

It was returned cleaned, hoovered, fully charged with a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers. I would do the same in the same situation.

I once borrowed a friend's car for 3 days, I not only filled the tank and all fluid reservoirs, I also cleaned the inside, rebuilt the engine, gave it a respray, replaced all the tires and fitted a new stereo

Think that covers the MN competitiveness Olympics 🤣🤣

My BIL has form for this. Did it to his MIL repeatedly, did it to me once. Has not borrowed the car since, despite asking. It’s real CF territory , and extremely rude.
I understand that money is tight for your friend, but I would expect her to mention something, like she owes you for the fuel, I would say something.

I quite often lend my car to my daughter. I just add her on to the insurance for however long its needed

I bet the cat is happy with this arrangement! 🐈

I always return friend’s cars freshly detailed and fully fuelled. This is why friends lend me expensive cars, they know they’re looked after well and come back better than they left.

She's a CF and free loader. I'd bill her for the gas she used. And obviously don't lend her the car again

Be careful relying on own car insurance. I am sure if I drive someone else's car that I am third party only so legal BUT if any damage to their car is my fault it would not be covered on my insurance.
Have always added someone to my insurance as a named driver if lent car and I expect them to pay insurance and bring it back with full tank, valet is a bonus.

Thank you all, so IANBU then , I was worried that I was being a bit insensitive as money is tight.
The cat post made me giggle, been picturing it in my head😂

This used to be standard for drivers over 25 but is becoming rare. Anyone who believes they have this cover should check their policy each renewal as it has a habit of disappearing without notice.

Even if you do have this cover be aware that it is normally third party only so if you damage the car for example by driving into a wall it won't be covered which might be a problem if you can't afford to replace the car.

Minimum - same amount of fuel and tidy. In reality everyone I know would have it filled and cleaned and probably a present so I guess that's what I'd actually expect unless I'd leant it in some awful situation - seriously unwell family member in faraway hospital/bereavement or something.

If it was me borrowing someone’s car, I sure as hell would be handing it back with a full tank of fuel and in a clean and tidy state.

And yes, I probably would leave a small thank you gift too.

Very rude and ungrateful of her.

If you have fully comp cover yourself you are can be entitled to drive other cars on your policy as long as you specify that when doing your insurance, and as long as the car you are borrowing is also independently insured.

Or you can have temporary cover or be added as a named driver, it's easily done.

She should have filled it up for you, that's what any decent human being would have done.

At a minimum it should be returned with a full tank and be freshly cleaned.

It's very generous to lend someone a car for three weeks, you would have saved her far more than a tank of petrol in money and convenience.

Cheeky cow.

Don't lend to her again.

She's had 3 weeks free car rental. Giving it back empty is taking the piss. I'd actually ask her to replace the fuel she used.

I would be tempted to message her and say “hey, you forgot to fill up before you dropped the car back”. CF.

My friends and I with multiple cars tend to have “any driver over 30” policies. Life is more fun that way!

I would be tempted to message her and say “hey, you forgot to fill up before you dropped the car back”

I'd send this and maybe add, "don't mind you borrowing the car, but I do mind paying for your petrol as well."

OP did you see proof that she had insured your car fully comp?

I'm afraid I would be concerned that someone who was thoughtless enough to return a car with an empty tank might have been equally careless about getting adequate insurance.

I'd be tempted to text her your payment details.

"Hi CF friend, so glad everything went well with the car and I was able to help you out. My payment details are xxxxx, when you have a moment could you please transfer £x to cover the fuel? Thanks in advance!"

Yes, of that I am certain as we looked for the insurance together, I made sure car was insured