To not want to drive someone else’s car all week?

[BlueberryMummy]

A friend borrowed my car on Friday because she needed to go and pick up something that wouldn’t fit in her car (it would fit in her car, the only reason it wouldn’t is because her car is full of stuff) and then I had to go out before she got back and her car keys were at mine so she told me to take her keys and her car and then since then our paths haven’t crossed to swap the cars back and I’ve messaged her and called her a few times to ask if we can swap the cars back and she just keeps saying she is busy at that moment but will find time soon to swap the cars back. She’s now asking if she can keep my car until Friday as she needs to go somewhere on Friday and what she is taking won’t fit in her car again because her car is full of stuff and in return I keep her car until Friday. But I just want my car back now. My car is a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan and her car is a 2024 Range Rover. My husband says I’m overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill. I feel she is being funny about just giving me my car back, she could have found time already to give me my car back and she certainly could find time before Friday to give me my car back. We both have fully comp insurance on our own cars and are insured to drive other cars but we are only covered for 3rd party damage on other cars. AIBU to not want to drive someone else’s car all week and AIBU to just want my car back now?

Whyyyyy are you on here picking out the posts that have little details you want to correct, and complaining to your husband while he's away, when you could have just texted your friend back to say no, I need my car back today/tomorrow please. Your husband is right, you are making a mountain out of a molehill!

Just tell her I’ll be at yours tomorrow to swap cars. Honestly I’d expect her to drive to you but clearly that won’t happen. I’d just say I want my own car back and I’ve helped you out already

Then put your kids in the friends’ car and drive to her house to get yours!

What a load of drama out of nothing.

Stop being such a doormat and go and get your bloody car back from her house/work wherever.

Third party insurance to drive another car is often only valid in case of an emergency - it's likely one or both of you are driving uninsured which risks a fine and 6 points.

My guess is she's bumped your car and it's not ready til Friday...

She’s now asking to keep it for longer than Friday! I’ve said no but she’s replied saying she won’t have chance to swap back sooner!

Threaten her with the police. She’s taken your car and is refusing to give it back!

Stop telling MN, drive to her work and swap the fucking cars over.

Tell her you revoke permission to drive it and you're on your way over to get it and if she's not there, you're calling the police to report it stolen.

Are you always so wet?

Tell her that if she doesn’t return it by [date] she no longer has your consent to drive it and you will report it stolen to the police. Then stop being friends with this pisstaker.

This is the most batshit thing I’ve ever read

Who swaps cars anyway? No one, absolutely no one (except maybe the mechanic in the local garage) is driving mine.
Why can’t you take the kids with you?
What car doesn’t have two keys?! What happens if you lose yours?

You have to be firm here, you have done her a favour, she doesn't get to call the shots. Tell her that she needs to find time because you need your own car back and to stop messing you around. She can't keep using your car, and if she has an accident, it's not covered because it's only third party.

She is no friend to treat you like this. Take an hour off work if necessary and go to her work and demand the swap.

Obviously never lend your car to her again.

You're being pathetic. Drive to her house, get your car back. As everyone is telling you. "I've got kids" isn't an excuse.

She’s probably damaged your car

I reckon you’re right. She’s had an accident and your car is in a garage somewhere!

This. She’s buying time…

’Hi Gemma, where will you be at 12 today? Home or work? I will drive to you to swap the cars as it needs to be done today before 3pm when I do school pickup.’

or

‘Hi Gemma,

Please don’t drive my car again, I would not have allowed you to borrow my car if I had know. It would not be returned the same day. I will be with you by 9am to collect my car from your house’

Is the reason you can't go to her to do with car seats for your children?

Otherwise what's the barrier to taking action?

She knows you are a pushover so is taking advantage of that.

Drive to her workplace, hopefully it has a reception. Tell them you are there to swap back cars. If she tries to say she is 'too busy' then tell receptionist that she will want to swap otherwise she will be driving your car without your permission so without insurance.

Say it all quite clearly and cheerfully, lots of smiles. In every office I have ever worked in this should have the gossip round the building in about 3 minutes.
This should get her out of whatever is so important to come and talk to you.

Do not swap keys in reception. Go out to the cars and check yours over.

Do not be surprised to find that she has damaged your car or lent it to someone else.

She is treating you as a mug so stop being one.

What a completely ludicrous situation.

You need to prioritise getting (what’s left of) your car back. Swapping cars with someone is bonkers.

Go in the night, go to her work, go to her house and block it in or call the police and ask them to meet you at the car but get your car back.

You know unless you've made special insurance arrangements if she has an accident she'll only be covered for 3rd party damage. I would never lend someone my car.

Read the post responses maybe for your answer?!!

Tell her to return it or you are reporting it to the police.
Go and park outside her work or outside her house until she comes home and you get it back.
Get someone else to look after the kids if you can't take them with you.

Getting your own car back is the most important thing at this stage.

I'd be at her house at 5am to swap car, before she has a chance to bugger off for the day taking your car. This would also be the end of the friendship for me because she has no respect for you or your things. I bet she runs roughshod over you in lots of other ways