Neighbour has scratched my car

skiffle

Hi all,

Yesterday I discovered the rear passenger side corner of my car has been scratched fairly deeply, and upon investigating today I have found that my neighbour's car has a long scratch along the side at exactly the same height as the scratch on my car.

We park on a very narrow road (it has a large stone wall along one side), and the neighbour frequently parks in the space behind my car, so what I suspect has happened is as they have pulled out of their space they've misjudged the amount of room they had and ended up scraping along my car.

Now I don't actually know which neighbour it is that owns this car, nor which house they live in (there are a series of houses which have been converted into HMO flats).

What would people recommend I do? Is it worth talking to the police? Should I attempt to contact the neighbour? If I do anything wrt insurance will this affect my premiums (I'm a 24 yr old female)?

Thanks in advance all!

skiffle

Obukit

Honestly, people will tell you to contact insurance/police, but you will never prove it was them without witnesses. Even if they do admit it and you claim on their insurance a not-at-fault claim will still push your premium up.

How much is your car worth? Depending on how deep the scratch is a DIY job or mobile repairer will save you money in the long run. Yes, it sucks people aren't honest but sadly an at-fault claim pushes insurance premiums up so much otherwise honest people don't man up and accept their mistake.

oldhand

skiffle wrote: »

Hi all,

Yesterday I discovered the rear passenger side corner of my car has been scratched fairly deeply, and upon investigating today I have found that my neighbour's car has a long scratch along the side at exactly the same height as the scratch on my car.

We park on a very narrow road (it has a large stone wall along one side), and the neighbour frequently parks in the space behind my car, so what I suspect has happened is as they have pulled out of their space they've misjudged the amount of room they had and ended up scraping along my car.

Now I don't actually know which neighbour it is that owns this car, nor which house they live in (there are a series of houses which have been converted into HMO flats).

What would people recommend I do? Is it worth talking to the police? Should I attempt to contact the neighbour? If I do anything wrt insurance will this affect my premiums (I'm a 24 yr old female)?

Thanks in advance all!

skiffle

First thing is to contact the neighbour and tell them you believe they caused the damage to your car and why then see if they are willing to repair it,if not then inform them you will report it to the police though I doubt plod would be very interested.If its not a deep scratch it may "Tcut" out but talk to the neighbour first,if your not sure where they live leave a note on their windscreen with your number and phone number asking them to contact you as you believe they may have "accidently" scratched your car.Be polite with your note and give them a day or two to contact you,if they dont and you still cant find where they live leave a last note advising them if they dont contact you then you will involve the police,as I said police wont want to get involved but it may spur other party on,good luck.

JQ.

In all honesty if you don't have any witnesses and they deny liability you've go no chance. The police will not be sending out a CSI team to take paint samples for analysis from the 2 cars. So I certainly wouldn't be going through insurance companies, as you'll probably end up worst off.

I've had exactly the same problem and the other party completely denied knowledge, although I was enough of a pain to them that they gave me £250 towards a £400 repair, as they agreed it was most likely them, but they had absolutely no knowledge of causing the damage.

krlyr

The other possibility is that if the scratches are at the same height, could it just be that the same person/vehicle/thing scratched both your cars ?

Sgt_Pepper_2

LordSVS wrote: »

Unless you have evidence (and I mean rock solid evidence like CCTV) you have no chance.

I should add, it's not a police matter. They have better things to deal with than civil matters like this.

Regards,

When did fail to stop and report become civil?

Destination_..._?

There is a slim possibility the driver had kids in the car crying and shouting distracting them and not noticing or realising they have accidentally scratched your car.
Maybe give them the benefit of doubt . Or on the other hand just dishonest .

Sgt_Pepper_2

LordSVS wrote: »

It has nothing to do with failing to stop. It's a civil matter.

The op is claiming a non stop collision are they not?

What's civil about that?

Gladys_Friday

Ring plod then OP and tell them a bloke called Pepper sent you.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Gladys_Friday wrote: »

Ring plod then OP and tell them a bloke called Pepper sent you.

Can you not explain it?

That's cause you're wrong chap.

marywooyeah

Me thinks a PPR Has come back with an ae!