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Original poster

Uninsured car underage driver

57 replies

Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 19:38

A boy who doesn't have a provisional licence yet although he's 17 has driven someone else's car without permission.

The car has been damaged and the repair bill is £2300.

The car wasn't insured by the owner and nor did it have an mot.

The car owner wants the repair paid for understandably,

What is best moving forward?

OP posts:
BaroldFromEastenders · 07/03/2023 19:42

Boy needs reporting to the police for stealing and damaging the car.

boy needs to pay the bill

car owner should have presumably SORNED the car and be keeping it off the road on private property. If the car owner has been driving it around, untaxed, uninsured, or keeping it parked on the public road then car owner should also be reported to the police.

WarningToTheCurious · 07/03/2023 19:47

Was the car SORN and if so did it have laid up insurance? (I’m assuming not).

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 19:55

Not sorned, was stopped by the police the day before.

The car owner works at a garage and as this isn't going through insurance as there is none, the usual policy of having a few quotes for repair work hasn't been implemented.

The car owner is a well known drug dealer and has been in prison a couple of times.

Sorry to drip feed.

OP posts:
RiktheButler · 07/03/2023 19:59

Your son (presumably) stole a drug dealer's car and crashed it?
Paying for the repairs is the least of your worries

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:04

He's nothing to be scared of, that's not part of my worries.

OP posts:
ColdfeetEd · 07/03/2023 20:07

So let’s not worry about all the other road users who could be seriously disadvantaged/injured by these two individuals who think they are above the law? Hopefully someone else will inform the police.

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 07/03/2023 20:08

Are the police aware?

Or has the car owner “suggested” that if you pay for repairs; he won’t report, but you don’t want to hand over £2.3k?

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:11

I want to inform the police.

I know from personal experience the devastation that's caused on the road.

OP posts:
Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:12

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 07/03/2023 20:08

Are the police aware?

Or has the car owner “suggested” that if you pay for repairs; he won’t report, but you don’t want to hand over £2.3k?

That's it exactly.

OP posts:
glasshole · 07/03/2023 20:14

Report report REPORT!

WuTangGran · 07/03/2023 20:14

Report it.

Led9519 · 07/03/2023 20:17

You can report it but as no one was injured and possibly no ‘evidence’ of the crime I.e proof 17 yr old was driving then what are the police expected to do? They’re barely dealing with violent crime/missing persons never mind a dent from a joy ride?

Led9519 · 07/03/2023 20:18

If it was your son I’d just hand over the money and work out with him a way he can pay you back? Although good luck as he literally sounds like a law unto himself!

RiktheButler · 07/03/2023 20:18

Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:11

I want to inform the police.

I know from personal experience the devastation that's caused on the road.

What is it that you're annoyed about?

The fact your son committed several offences, or the thought of being overcharged for repairs?

You'd rather see your son charged with at least three offences? (at my count)

Btjdkfnn · 07/03/2023 20:20

If this is your kid, and he drove someone's car without permission or supervision, he could get points on his licence, fined, banned, etc etc. Plus he could be done by the police for some sort of theft related crime for taking the vehicle. That being the case, I would pay the 2300, especially as it's a drug dealer after you for the money Shock
how has this 17yo got tangled up with criminals

Starlightstarbright1 · 07/03/2023 20:21

Tbh I think you need to pay. Car was damaged by D’s driving a car illegally - the fact he is a drug dealer , doesn’t follow the law would make me more concerned.

Drug dealers wrongs don’t make your ds’s any less

Quveas · 07/03/2023 20:21

I'm in favour of reporting it to the police. I also think that's the stupidest thing to do. The car may not be insured or SORNed. Your proof that it was not legally off the road would be? Who owns the car and their history is irrelevant. You son took a car and drove without a licence or insurance. That's illegal right now. Not history. And that's assuming this "drug dealer" is amenable to lawful resolutions. I don't know many that are.

MzHz · 07/03/2023 20:22

So a drug dealer will report this has happened to a car of his thats not insured at all, possibly proceeds of crime, possibly a vehicle used in dealing…

report to who? The Po Po… yeah right…

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:23

The car owner was his friend's mum's boyfriend.

He's never done anything like this before but he was staying with his dad who is an alcoholic and things went a bit downhill. He's back at my home now and not really going out anymore.

Thanks for the different viewpoints everyone, I really needed it as haven't told anyone in real life.

OP posts:
StreamingCervix · 07/03/2023 20:24

I know you say he’s not a frightening character, but most drug dealers if not themselves particularly menacing, will be familiar with people who are/don’t mind being so.

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:27

I'm willing to pay half and ds' dad pay half but this isn't likely to happen.

It's such a shit situation.

Ds can repay me with his child trust fund and wages.

OP posts:
Timeforachangeisitnot · 07/03/2023 20:28

What are the consequences to you and your son if you do not pay for the repair ?
Regardless of the tax / insurance/ mot status, if I understand it, your son took something without permission and damaged it. So he’s liable to pay for the damage ( civil law). He may also be charged with a crime and sounds like that would also be fair.

WarningToTheCurious · 07/03/2023 20:29

Was the friend also involved?

Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:29

Timeforachangeisitnot · 07/03/2023 20:28

What are the consequences to you and your son if you do not pay for the repair ?
Regardless of the tax / insurance/ mot status, if I understand it, your son took something without permission and damaged it. So he’s liable to pay for the damage ( civil law). He may also be charged with a crime and sounds like that would also be fair.

I don't know, I guess the car owner will start to become annoyed.

It went from being £300 to now £2300.

OP posts:
Original poster
Livedandlearned · 07/03/2023 20:29

Yes the friend was also involved.

OP posts:
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