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?

Get a babysitter or friend over for an hour in the evenings, Op
.
Spend ten minutes putting all of her stuff into a large rubbish bag. Place the bag of stuff back into the boot.

Drive over and swap cars.

Tell your friend that, as a favour, you have removed all of her stuff into a rubbish bag so that her car will fit more when she removes the bag. Be ready to both belly laugh!!

I'd text 'Hey friend, I wasn't making a suggestion, I'm telling you I need my car back.
I will meet you tomorrow at xxx time and xxx place to exchange. '

Then never lend a thing to her again!

What "stuff" is her car full of? Is she hiding stuff from bailiffs?

So did you get the car back last night @BlueberryMummy?

My husband says I’m overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill.

Does your husband have a car? Maybe he can lend her his.

Just third party cover in a 2024 Range Rover? She’s barmy. Tell her to clear her car out and get the thing on Friday, you’re having your car back.

Really don’t understand why you haven’t done this immediately.

You need to give her a deadline before you report it stolen by her.

Just report it stolen. The whole sago is ridiculous.

Just saw the updates. I’d be going nuclear by now if I were you. Get angry!

Or is she hiding her car itself from the bailiffs?! I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a massive debt on it that she’s defaulted badly on.

She’s clearly lying to you OP…does she need yours so her car won’t be recognised or something? Is she stalking someone? She sounds unhinged.
When you get your car back don’t speak to her again. She has no regard for you at all.

Something like this surely. She’s hiding from someone.

I wouldn't be surprised if she's pranged it, and it won't be ready (at the garage) till tomorrow.

That is so weird. I’d take the kids at night and go get it back. Do you think she’s crashed it and is trying to sort it? Or she prefers your car and is trying to hang onto it? Truly strange. I would stop lending it to her if she’s going to hold it hostage.

Since she clearly isn't prepared to do anything to help swap over before Friday you may not have much you can really do that's proportionate, but I understand why you're pissed off with her about it and it would completely change the way I see her as friend.

Once your DH is back, I would put as many miles on it as you can and make sure the tank is empty then go over there and get the keys for your own ASAP. Ideally by having him drive you and leaving her car at yours for her to travel to and pick up (because I'm a petty fucker some times).

At this point I’d get the police involved. But I’m unsure if they’d do anything?

Why are people so scared to say stuff!

just say you are annoyed at this situation and want it back!

if she is a true friend she will return immediately !

do not be such a a pushover!

She’s either
a) bumped it and it’s being repaired
b) gone on holiday in it and it’s either sat on a caravan park now or parked up at the airport
c) hiding her car from bailiffs
d) using the car for other activities - could she be keeping tabs on her DH for example?

There is quite literally no other reason.

Do you have a trusted friend who could call her to ‘catch up’ with her and see where she is?

Anything on her social media to suggest she is on holiday? Her kids social media perhaps?

I agree OP - I wouldn’t want to drive a car with 3rd party either. DP and I only ever reserve having to drive each others cars on 3rd party as an absolute emergency

She is either using your car to drive some dodgy stuff around or she has damaged it and hoping to get it fixed. Never do this again (obvs) and go NC with her once you have it back. She is awful

Did you miss the bit where she can't get her car back?

If she is refusing to return it then I'd send her a final message saying either she comes to yours by X time or you will be reporting the theft to the police.

How far away does she live? Did you go round yesterday evening?

Then you need to text her that a) you will be calling the police and reporting your car as stolen and, b) as she is no longer using it with your permission you will also be notifying the insurance company so she will be criminally and legally liable for any damage.

Time to stop this nonsense.

I’d go super early in the morning and wait.

Ooh I didn’t consider that she might have another reason for not giving the car back…. 😳