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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:
darkdaysareover · 27/09/2026 20:55

Your street is full of twats. Leave the man alone Mrs Bucket.

Justttheone · 27/09/2026 20:55

If this is for real you should feel ashamed of yourself. What an attitude!

Gilead · 27/09/2026 20:56

You sound like a bunch of fucking snobs!

Ally886 · 27/09/2026 21:03

I had a mechanic fix one of my cars on the drive over 5 appointments over 5 weeks. You'd have hated it.

Pay for his repairs else you can't be that bothered....

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/09/2026 21:03

nolongeranutjob · 27/09/2026 20:50

My Mum was reported to the council for having her own taxed, insured, mot'd campervan parked on her own driveway. Another resident said it lowered the tone.

Sometimes these people are actually real!

My mother briefly considered this (edit) against her neighbours, mainly because there is a covenant on the properties that camper vans/caravans etc can't be kept on the drive. "Well we follow the covenant, why shouldnt they?" when it was pointed out that her and my father did not own a camper or caravan, that "wasn't the point". She did eventually concede that it had no impact on anyone and did nothing. They usually parked it under their car port with their 4x4 behind it, so you couldnt really see it anyway without effort.

I could see her point if it had been one of US Winnebago style campers that are fucking massive but it was one of the converted VW transporter vans. The only reason she knew it was converted was because the neighbour told her, up until then she thought he must have changed jobs and got a work van! When I asked why a work van wasnt a problem but them using it to sleep in was she said it was the principle...... 🙄

This tells you all you need to know about my mother.

tommyhoundmum · 27/09/2026 21:06

Arlanymor · 27/09/2026 18:15

If this had happened in our street, one of us would have been out with a cup of tea and biscuits, and asking if he needed a hand at all. I guess there is more than one type of neighbour...

A man camped outside our house in a campervan for weeks. I think he was on holiday. It was before we all had to pay to park outside our homes.

Moonlightdust · 27/09/2026 21:09

Not as bad as ours who have a fleet of cars parked on a bend causing obstruction and danger 😩

Diamondwindow · 27/09/2026 21:12

You all sound dreadfully snobby

Strawberrydelight78 · 27/09/2026 21:15

Bunch of snobs over an old man just tinkering with his car. Leave him alone he’s doing no harm. Why don’t some of you who know about car’s maybe help him to get his car fixed if it bothers you that much?

Iris2020 · 27/09/2026 21:17

The "it's just not done here" gives it away- has to be a rage bait post. Quite a funny though, credit for that!

CatsFromSpace · 27/09/2026 21:21

sliverette · 27/09/2026 18:22

While not causing a nuisance as such, we feel three weeks is too long to have the car parked there. It has even been left over night with the grille taken off. Yes he did say he wanted to repair it himself and “was doing his best”. One of the neighbours advised that “doing his best” would be getting it towed to his own street round the corner!

The whole night with the grille off?!?! 😳😳😳😳

PunnyPlumPanda · 27/09/2026 21:21

sliverette · 27/09/2026 18:22

While not causing a nuisance as such, we feel three weeks is too long to have the car parked there. It has even been left over night with the grille taken off. Yes he did say he wanted to repair it himself and “was doing his best”. One of the neighbours advised that “doing his best” would be getting it towed to his own street round the corner!

He’s not commiting a crime

the only time it would be maybe is if he’s stopping you from accessing a highway.

he is not,
hes trying to get it fixed

viques · 27/09/2026 21:24

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.

So this kind man has allowed you and your snotty neighbours to pretend that your sad little street of ticky tacky houses is classy enough to attract a resident with a vintage car.

In your dreams!

GrumpyButOk · 27/09/2026 21:30

Curious to know what you think the police could charge him with, as I'm fairly sure "Owns legal but slightly scruffy car" isn't a criminal offence. Although if it is, I might be in trouble. Luckily I live in a nice area with my own driveway with none of those "can't afford own driveway types" hanging around. You know the type.

Lifeomars · 27/09/2026 21:30

Thank god you haven't seen my street, I think the resultant attack of the vapours might end you and you would never post another daft thread on MN again...

Error404FucksNotFound · 27/09/2026 21:30

Yupstillhere · 27/09/2026 20:34

Lolza. Why are people responding to this, it's satire.

I believe the correct term is 'rage bait'.

BitterTits · 27/09/2026 21:33

You sound like a nasty piece of work. I have a 2008 reg car and can't afford a better one so your snotty comments have really got my back up.

WorsethingshappenatC · 27/09/2026 21:35

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!

I must admit OP that considering you're evidently a sensitive soul, being that you're so aghast at the sight of a car being tinkered on in your street. I am some what surprised that you've chosen the user name of silverete - As in a Nipple Cup.🤔

Ticktockwatchclock · 27/09/2026 21:38

If you and your neighbours were any sort of decent people, instead of berating a man doing his best, you would all try and help him, either with skills and knowledge to help him repair his car or by setting up a fund raiser and putting your hands in your pockets to help. If your street is so exclusive and you are all fairly well off, you would be a) helping a fellow human who is struggling and make the world a better place and b) hasten the repair of the car so it gets removed from you exclusive (snobby) street.
Instead, you just want to bitch about him on mumsnet.

havingoneofthosedays · 27/09/2026 21:41

Is it called a gaggle of pearl clutchers or something else?

Franjipanl8r · 27/09/2026 21:43

It’s great seeing people fixing and mending things themselves, that’s how the world should be. We’d be in a much better place with the environment if everyone had the skills and ability to repair things themselves rather than just chucking stuff into landfill as soon as it got a tiny bit old.

If you and your neighbours genuinely have nothing better to do than harass this man - why not set up a repair cafe where you all get together and fix things for the community?!

Fleurdalys · 27/09/2026 21:44

😂😂😂

Isabella70 · 27/09/2026 21:44

ExcitableCat · 27/09/2026 18:09

Poor guy. Let him fix his bloody car. He can leave his car anywhere on a public road whilst its taxed, motd and insured. He’s probably in dire straits financially hence not taking it to a garage. Have some compassion here

I'm not doubting you but every time I read a thread like this (and I agree with the 'leave him alone' posters) I'm reminded of what happened to me years ago as a student. I had a beat-up mini which I'd left parked for some time in the same spot and residents complained to the police. They paid me a visit and I asked directly - it's a public road, it's parked safely and there are no parking restrictions; am I not allowed to park there? The policeman claimed that no-one had the right to park indefinitely on a public road. Still unsure if I believe him.

CelticSilver · 27/09/2026 21:46

Pass the smelling salts, Hyacinth!

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/09/2026 21:46

havingoneofthosedays · 27/09/2026 21:41

Is it called a gaggle of pearl clutchers or something else?

A smacked arse of pearl clutchers?