Dad has scratched my car, what should I do?

lawstudent

I'm so angry I've just gone out to my car and have found a huge scratch across the front. My father had asked me to move my car out in front of his so he could get in the garage to mow the lawn yesterday. There was no scratch on the car when I moved it and it hasn't been used since.

When I went out today his car had moved. There is no way he could have stayed on the drive and got passed my car so he must have gone up onto the grass and squeezed past. I looked on his car and there is a mark in the corresponding place to my scratch and when I asked him he said he didn't think he had scratched my car but when I told him about the mark on his he was straight out trying to help fix mine. He has only just got his license back as he suffers from Parkinson's syndrome, all of this together I think is pretty conclusive proof that he has scratched it.

I don't have the best of relationships with my father and this mark isn't coming out anytime soon. I'm going to take it to the garage tomorrow to get a price to fix it but I would like some advice on how to approach this with him because I am expecting him to pay to fix it. I know I would be expecting (and expected) to sort any damage I had caused to his car. Any ideas how I should bring this us?

McKneff

Yes, you could say,

Love you Dad, I'll sort it. Don't worry about it.

I wonder how much you have cost him from birth.

motorguy

Probably would be better on the relationships forum than the motoring one?

Personally, i'd say up front now and show him how this is line with his lawn mower handle and the recent move of it. Say you need to get it repaired and is he happy to cover the cost.

mcja

I agree. I wouldn't even go there asking my dad for the money and I have a brilliant relationship with him.

PasturesNew

It's just a car. You only get one dad.

mrcow

Do you live in his house?

scotsbob

As above, it's your Dad. What more needs to be said?

andygb

lawstudent wrote: »

I'm so angry I've just gone out to my car and have found a huge scratch across the front. My father had asked me to move my car out in front of his so he could get in the garage to mow the lawn yesterday. There was no scratch on the car when I moved it and it hasn't been used since.

When I went out today his car had moved. There is no way he could have stayed on the drive and got passed my car so he must have gone up onto the grass and squeezed past. I looked on his car and there is a mark in the corresponding place to my scratch and when I asked him he said he didn't think he had scratched my car but when I told him about the mark on his he was straight out trying to help fix mine. He has only just got his license back as he suffers from Parkinson's syndrome, all of this together I think is pretty conclusive proof that he has scratched it.

I don't have the best of relationships with my father and this mark isn't coming out anytime soon. I'm going to take it to the garage tomorrow to get a price to fix it but I would like some advice on how to approach this with him because I am expecting him to pay to fix it. I know I would be expecting (and expected) to sort any damage I had caused to his car. Any ideas how I should bring this us?

You sound like the perfect law student, the sort of person who would sell their own grandmother, or in this case, ask for advice on how to confront their father over an accident.
Why don't you go up to one of those large law firms in the city - "Stopyer, Grabbit and Run" are quite good I think, and try to get some free advice from them;)
They may advise that you report your father to the police for failing to notify an accident, or because of your exemplary behaviour and zealous mindset, they may suggest that you join their firm, and who knows, you could be a partner in record time.:D

custardy

mrcow wrote: »

Do you live in his house?

exactly my thoughts

piglet74

You should be more worried about what might to your poor dad when he is out driving on the open road than some daft scratch.

arbroath_lass

McKneff wrote: »

Yes, you could say,

Love you Dad, I'll sort it. Don't worry about it.

I wonder how much you have cost him from birth.

And next time I'll mow the lawn.