Car accident advice..

Trackworker

Hello everyone, I'm in a bit of a situation and I'm not sure what to do..

My wife a few weeks ago on the school run was parked up in a tight parking space, she reversed and touched another car very very lightly (happens to be a teachers car!)

They both got out and looked at the car and agreed there was no damage. So no details was taken, no pics etc both left happy and my wife thought no more of it as there is no damAge or scuffs on her car or the teachers.

2 days later we get a call saying there is a ding in the car.
My family run a mot and repair station and so I offered them for my father in law to take a look and repair it.

She agreed and was going to call our garage the next day to book in.
2 days later the husband called and said he has booked it in else where and it's going to cost £250 plus vat. I said I need to look at this and will not pay until I get to see the vehicle.

He said he was going to talk to the wife and get back to me, a week later he sends me the bill. It was from a recognised garage but was very vague on the invoice.

Do I ignore this now or should I pay? Can I be taken to court?
The insurance companies was not involved..

Help!

Quiet_Spark

Trackworker wrote: »

Do I ignore this now or should I pay?

Neither.
You now tell your old lady to do what she should have done in the beginning and notify the insurance company, and then let them deal with it.

Trackworker wrote: »

Can I be taken to court?

Depends on how the situation goes, but the potential for a court action is viable.

Stooby2

Personally I'd send the invoice back, with a letter explaining a) it was agreed at the time there was no damage.
you were not given the opportunity to inspect the damage they found even though you asked and Mrs Car Owner agreed to let you.
C) you would have requested them to get two independent quotes for damage before agreeing any repair. You clearly stated in your phone call you would not accept any repair bill without the chance to see the damage.
D) you were not given any opportunity to deal with this via insurance companies.
E) You're not going to pay it as they have been wholly unreasonable.

Yes they will threaten court, but I don't think they'll have much of a leg to stand on.

Let your insurance company know.

Trackworker

I was willing to pay. I simply wanted to see the damage for myself. There is not a scuff ding or even a crack on the bumper of my car.

My wife and the teacher did both inspect each other's cars and agreed there was no damage

Trackworker

Stooby2 wrote: »

Personally I'd send the invoice back, with a letter explaining a) it was agreed at the time there was no damage.
you were not given the opportunity to inspect the damage they found even though you asked and Mrs Car Owner agreed to let you.
C) you would have requested them to get two independent quotes for damage before agreeing any repair. You clearly stated in your phone call you would not accept any repair bill without the chance to see the damage.
D) you were not given any opportunity to deal with this via insurance companies.
E) You're not going to pay it as they have been wholly unreasonable.

Yes they will threaten court, but I don't think they'll have much of a leg to stand on.

Thanks for that. I did ask for 2 quotes if they didn't want me to sort it.
I'm just annoyed that I didn't get to see the damage and he wouldn't let see it. Is he hiding something.

Stooby2

That's my thought. Probably dinged the car himself a day later and decided you'd be the handy way to get it fixed.

Or it's a complete scam with a forged invoice.

Or they're just stupid and think you'll roll over.

knitnut

Any witnesses to incident?

Trackworker

I'm not sure about witnesses, it was in a school car park. My wife has admitted she did touch the car, but there was no damage and she knows what she has to look for as she works with her dad at his garage.

knitnut

No cctv cameras either?
Sounds like they are trying it on.
Can you see their car? Is your car paint on their car?
I would stand your ground and do nothing. Teacher confirmed there was no damage. I take it it was in the afternoon so good daylight.

Trackworker

CCTV yes, there was no car paint on either car, in broad daylight. I'm not trying to get out of paying. If there was damage, I would have liked to seen it. But to get the damn thing repaired anyway was at the very least sneaky. And I'm suspicious that they are trying to pull a fast one on us.

knitnut

If you can see cctv does it show amicable discussion between both parties? does it show both 'happily' walking away with out exchanging details - therefore no damage/further action needed? (if you know what I mean). Still sounds to me they are trying to pull a fast one.
Will any of this have repercussions with your child/children in the school?
Does teacher teach your kids? You might want to take this into consideration. I would say it is up to you how to play this.
If teacher teaches kids, come to some arrangement, even maybe offer to pay 50% of bill. If teacher doesn't have contact with your kids, stand your ground and tell them to prove it was your wife's car.
good luck with this.