Old man trashed my car

Paul_stanyon

Hi there,

I'm looking for some advice.

I've just moved into a new flat and a few days ago (not entirely sure when) a lovely big scrape appeared on my front bumper. After some investigation it was apparent that this had been caused by a purple car (evidence: Massive streaks of purple paint within the damage). There is a Purple fiesta that parks next to me most days which belongs to an old man who visits the cafe next door. I thought I'd have a look at his car for signs of a scrape and lo and behold there it is, a massive scuff on his bumper, perfectly matching the one on mine. On confronting the man, he became immediately defensive and borderline abusive, saying the damage was weeks old and i was a f*** young Sh*** and he'd "See me in court".

Speaking to my insurance company they cant commit to anything as I didnt see the incident and its "My word against his".

WHAT SHOULD I DO??????

Thanks in anticipation

Paul - St Annes

mikey72

Paul_stanyon wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm looking for some advice.

I've just moved into a new flat and a few days ago (not entirely sure when) a lovely big scrape appeared on my front bumper. After some investigation it was apparent that this had been caused by a purple car (evidence: Massive streaks of purple paint within the damage). There is a Purple fiesta that parks next to me most days which belongs to an old man who visits the cafe next door. I thought I'd have a look at his car for signs of a scrape and lo and behold there it is, a massive scuff on his bumper, perfectly matching the one on mine. On confronting the man, he became immediately defensive and borderline abusive, saying the damage was weeks old and i was a f*** young Sh*** and he'd "See me in court".

Speaking to my insurance company they cant commit to anything as I didnt see the incident and its "My word against his".

WHAT SHOULD I DO??????

Thanks in anticipation

Paul - St Annes

Get photos, and get his insurance details from askmid.
Phone his insurance company and submit a claim.
It will tie up his no claims if nothing else, but if he counterclaims it may tie up yours.

andygb

Paint can be matched exactly, so if you have his paint on your car, then the police/insurance companies should be forced to take action. He has basically neglected to report an accident (even though nobody was hurt, there was damage to your vehicle).
There are lots of lazy people around nowadays who cannot/will not do their jobs properly, and it is up to the rest of us to force them into action.
If I were you, I would take all the details of the other car, and insist on further action - maybe call the police and threaten to destroy his car if they do nothing (you are not really going to do it, but it is amazing how this approach can work).

bryanb

Is "Trashed" a bit of exaggeration perhaps? It will go 50/50 if he doesn't admit it. Could be cheaper to forget it NCD wise.

Kilty_2

Report him to the police for leaving the scene of an accident.

DaveF327

Buy a wheelclamp and hold his car to ransom until he pays up.

Totally illegal of course, but then aren't some PPCs who do this?

ciano125

Paul, sorry to hear your car has been damaged first of all, I know its not a nice feeling. However, and please don't take offence at this as its not meant to be said in an offensive manner, but man up dude! So some old codger has sworn at you after he damaged your car, seriously, make life as difficult as possible for him, he sounds like a right (w)anchor and will walk all over you if you let him. Give him a piece of his own medicine, its the only thing some people understand.

What would I do? Confront him again. Nice and calm, inform him if he doesnt pay for it fixing you will see him in court. Then take photos of his car (let him see you doing this of course, that'll annoy him if nothing else). I also like the clamp him idea, so what if its illegal, is what he has done not illegal as well? I don't think deflating all the tyres on a car is illegal actually is it?! Mind you, you might not be a 15 stone rugby lad like I am, so reporting him to the feds and/or his insurance company might be the way for you.

Hope you get it sorted though. If not, go to your local rugby club and make friends with the forwards!

anewman

Screwdriver meets sidewall of 4 tyres on a Purple fiesta

Crabman

Kilty wrote: »

Report him to the police for leaving the scene of an accident.

I would suggest letting the police know asap.

See the below thread for an interesting news story... perhaps the old man will come to his senses if he realises there are consequences for leaving the scene of an accident:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2320887

laurel7172

What goes around comes around.

My workplace shares a car park with another. Last year, somebody parked a huge 4X4 on the line next to the last parking space. I had a bad feeling about it, and, sure enough, I came back to a white scrape on my car. But the 4X4 didn't return for months and I couldn't prove anything.

I'm sure you can imagine how utterly gutted I felt a couple of weeks back when the 4X4 turned up with its front end held together with duck tape.

I know you're angry, but don't stress out over it, and don't do anything illegal!

Paul_stanyon

ciano125 wrote: »

Paul, sorry to hear your car has been damaged first of all, I know its not a nice feeling. However, and please don't take offence at this as its not meant to be said in an offensive manner, but man up dude! So some old codger has sworn at you after he damaged your car, seriously, make life as difficult as possible for him, he sounds like a right (w)anchor and will walk all over you if you let him. Give him a piece of his own medicine, its the only thing some people understand.

What would I do? Confront him again. Nice and calm, inform him if he doesnt pay for it fixing you will see him in court. Then take photos of his car (let him see you doing this of course, that'll annoy him if nothing else). I also like the clamp him idea, so what if its illegal, is what he has done not illegal as well? I don't think deflating all the tyres on a car is illegal actually is it?! Mind you, you might not be a 15 stone rugby lad like I am, so reporting him to the feds and/or his insurance company might be the way for you.

Haha, "Man Up" I like it!! I'm actually a 6ft 7 19 stone rugby player, but off the pitch I'm a gentle giant. I've done exactly what you said re taking pictures and threatening further action. Was just wondering if there was a more straight forward course of action than gettin police / insurance companies involved that wouldnt end up with me shamefully beating an old man. I do like the screwdriver idea though! That'd teach him the cantankerous old !!!!er!
Hope you get it sorted though. If not, go to your local rugby club and make friends with the forwards!