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Neighbour’s car ruining neighbourhood

253 replies

sliverette · 27/09/2026 17:59

Would love to know what you all think of this. We live in a lovely little street, we all take pride in our homes. There is no off-street parking unfortunately. Recently an older man (early sixties?)left his car next to an embankment which faces our homes. The problem is, his car had broken down on a busy street and had to be towed somewhere. This was about three weeks ago. The man has been trying to fix it himself and has sometimes had the front grille off and even jacks under the front of the car (all wheels are on). A few of us have challenged him about it. One neighbour has explained that it looks unsightly and none of us here fix our cars in the street. His car is noticeably older than most in our street. His answer has been that there was no space for it to be left in his own road around the corner when the recovery vehicle rescued him. Three of us have challenged him. We asked him if he was even from our neighbourhood, as it’s just not done here! The latest time he got quite angry and said he was doing his best and was waiting for a part to arrive. We all feel he should get a garage to tow it away and fix it there. We have checked online and his vehicle is taxed, insured, and has a MOT. The repair he is attempting involves his getting under the car, but no noise involved, which is something I suppose! A few of us want to call the police about him. Three people have told him already that it’s unsightly with the grille removed, so he’s already been warned!

OP posts:
alcovecupboards · 27/09/2026 19:29

Are you offering to pay this man to have his car fixed by a professional garage? If not - shut up. You don't own the street.

Franxi · 27/09/2026 19:32

Is this the plot to a midsummer murders episode?

DaisyChain505 · 27/09/2026 19:33

I have neighbours like you. Our four houses are the end of the cul de sac and we don’t have parking yet the whole road of houses leading to it all have big drives that could fit 3/4 cars easily.

They are constantly leaving notes on the cars parked on the street outside their houses telling people not to park there and they even pull their cars off of their drives to take up spaces and then leave cones out when they leave.

I cannot imagine being so petty that I let something as minor as a car have an effect on my life.

Unless someone is parking on your property or blocking you getting out of it, get over it and move on.

BansheeOfTheSouth · 27/09/2026 19:34

Please do phone the police @sliverette I'm sure they will be interested in how much harassment this poor old man has received from you and your little gang of bullies.

Bedlingtonwarrior · 27/09/2026 19:34

FFS.
He's trying his best and the car is legal and can park on any unrestricted road.
Have you any idea that this post makes you and your neighbours look like deeply unpleasant snobby people

NIMBYism at its finest.....

Gengha · 27/09/2026 19:36

Get a grip honestly. If he isn’t having it towed away for repair maybe he can’t afford it? It doesn’t seem like it’s been abandoned. Presumably having a non functioning car isn’t a barrel of laughs for him either. I’d probably be irked too but I’d accept there is nothing I could do. How exactly is it a police matter?

Starlight7080 · 27/09/2026 19:38

If this is real then I feel very sorry for this man. You all sound awful .

Mapletree1985 · 27/09/2026 19:39

sliverette · 27/09/2026 17:59

Would love to know what you all think of this. We live in a lovely little street, we all take pride in our homes. There is no off-street parking unfortunately. Recently an older man (early sixties?)left his car next to an embankment which faces our homes. The problem is, his car had broken down on a busy street and had to be towed somewhere. This was about three weeks ago. The man has been trying to fix it himself and has sometimes had the front grille off and even jacks under the front of the car (all wheels are on). A few of us have challenged him about it. One neighbour has explained that it looks unsightly and none of us here fix our cars in the street. His car is noticeably older than most in our street. His answer has been that there was no space for it to be left in his own road around the corner when the recovery vehicle rescued him. Three of us have challenged him. We asked him if he was even from our neighbourhood, as it’s just not done here! The latest time he got quite angry and said he was doing his best and was waiting for a part to arrive. We all feel he should get a garage to tow it away and fix it there. We have checked online and his vehicle is taxed, insured, and has a MOT. The repair he is attempting involves his getting under the car, but no noise involved, which is something I suppose! A few of us want to call the police about him. Three people have told him already that it’s unsightly with the grille removed, so he’s already been warned!

It looks "unsightly". So what? Let the man have fun fixing his car. Why don't you help him? You might learn something about mechanics.

I can't stand people who value appearances over human relationships.

Imonmyownhere · 27/09/2026 19:41

WTF have I just read?

I dread to think how you deal with real problems. He's not doing any harm and he's trying to fix it. Don't be snooty.

Edictfromno10 · 27/09/2026 19:41

Call the police? For what crime? Having an old car that broke down? Poor bloke.

Frostynoman · 27/09/2026 19:41

Calm down Hyacinth.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 27/09/2026 19:42

Cushionseams · 27/09/2026 18:12

His car is noticeably older than most in our street
How dreadful! You should call the police for that if nothing else.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

BobMumBobIsMyDog · 27/09/2026 19:45

HRTFT so sorry if this has already been said, but calm down Mrs Bucket.

Unknown127 · 27/09/2026 19:46

BobMumBobIsMyDog · 27/09/2026 19:45

HRTFT so sorry if this has already been said, but calm down Mrs Bucket.

It’s bouquet! 🤣

Marieb19 · 27/09/2026 19:46

You are not be unreasonable! Your road is not a garage. I would suggest you contact the council, who can contact the owner to have the car removed as it is not roadworthy and unsafe. I can't beleive that previous posters would be happy to have other people's cars repaired outside their homes.

DizziLizzy · 27/09/2026 19:48

Reverse!

Sunflower07 · 27/09/2026 19:50

Frostynoman · 27/09/2026 19:41

Calm down Hyacinth.

You beat me to it 🤣

UnwillingAdvocate · 27/09/2026 19:50

Are you even allowed to have broken down cars on the highway undergoing repairs?

Chockachip · 27/09/2026 19:51

Stop being such a snob. Leave him alone.

TurnItIn4 · 27/09/2026 19:53

ForGreenHiker · 27/09/2026 18:05

I see that rage baiting is now on Mumsnet!

Immediate first thought! Not even well hidden, the sentence ‘it’s just not done here’ was too telling

ClairDeLaLune · 27/09/2026 19:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Shodan · 27/09/2026 19:54

UnwillingAdvocate · 27/09/2026 19:50

Are you even allowed to have broken down cars on the highway undergoing repairs?

As long as it's not obstructing the highway, yes, which it doesn't sound like this chap's car is.

One thing this street clearly isn't, though, is 'lovely'. House prices wouldn't be brought down by one bloke temporarily fixing his car there, but rather by the appalling inhabitants of the road.

2children3dogs · 27/09/2026 19:56

No words OP.
Get a bloody grip and unclench.

Mapletree1985 · 27/09/2026 19:57

Will nobody think of the tourists??