Car Scratch - Advice Please

ApplePie2019 · 7 December 2019 at 4:28PM

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anyone could advise. I very very lightly scraped the side of someone’s car today in a car park. I left a note with my number but as luck would have it the owner returned as I was doing so. I explained what had happened, he rubbed it and a lot of the mark came off straight away. He decided that the best course of action would be if he got the colour confirmed at a garage and then bought a can of spray paint and dealt with it himself. I was fine with this and he said he would get round to doing it after Christmas. I took his name, address and phone no and we left it there. I was just wondering, what will happen if he later changes his mind or he goes to a garage, gets them to do it all and clobbers me with a huge bill?

It has also occurred to me that he only has my first name and phone number.... I would absolutely not try to shirk responsibility, but at the same time I don’t want to be taken for a ride (pardon the pun). Thank you everyone.

Aylesbury_Duck · 7 December 2019 at 4:34PM

ApplePie2019 wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anyone could advise. I very very lightly scraped the side of someone’s car today in a car park. I left a note with my number but as luck would have it the owner returned as I was doing so. I explained what had happened, he rubbed it and a lot of the mark came off straight away. He decided that the best course of action would be if he got the colour confirmed at a garage and then bought a can of spray paint and dealt with it himself. I was fine with this and he said he would get round to doing it after Christmas. I took his name, address and phone no and we left it there. I was just wondering, what will happen if he later changes his mind or he goes to a garage, gets them to do it all and clobbers me with a huge bill?

It has also occurred to me that he only has my first name and phone number.... I would absolutely not try to shirk responsibility, but at the same time I don’t want to be taken for a ride (pardon the pun). Thank you everyone.

Presumably he'll notify his insurers who will then speak to yours. Sounds unlikely though, he probably won't want the hassle.

sheslookinhot · 7 December 2019 at 4:42PM

If he clobbers you with a huge bill do not pay it. It would mean he has taken a course of action without your agreement or knowledge.

ApplePie2019 · 7 December 2019 at 4:42PM

That’s the thing though - he has none of my personal info at present apart from my first name and phone no. He doesn’t even know what car I drive.

Aylesbury_Duck · 7 December 2019 at 4:47PM

Well don't worry about it then.

ApplePie2019 · 7 December 2019 at 4:51PM

Thank you ☺️

Arklight · 7 December 2019 at 5:17PM

ApplePie2019 wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anyone could advise. I very very lightly scraped the side of someone’s car today in a car park. I left a note with my number but as luck would have it the owner returned as I was doing so. I explained what had happened, he rubbed it and a lot of the mark came off straight away. He decided that the best course of action would be if he got the colour confirmed at a garage and then bought a can of spray paint and dealt with it himself. I was fine with this and he said he would get round to doing it after Christmas. I took his name, address and phone no and we left it there. I was just wondering, what will happen if he later changes his mind or he goes to a garage, gets them to do it all and clobbers me with a huge bill?

It has also occurred to me that he only has my first name and phone number.... I would absolutely not try to shirk responsibility, but at the same time I don’t want to be taken for a ride (pardon the pun). Thank you everyone.

Meaning, you intend to decide whether to reply to him or not when he gets in touch with you, depending on how much he wants to repair the damage you caused with the very very light scratch that's barely even there, you caused with your poor driving.

Assume he has told his insurers, who will find out your contact details from your first name and phone number if they need to, tell yours, swallow the £20 or so increase in premium next year, and enjoy a worry free Christmas.

ApplePie2019 · 7 December 2019 at 5:46PM

No, that’s not what I mean at all, which I think is clear from my original post. I have every intention of doing the right thing, hence the note. However, the remedy to the issue will need to be proportionate. That’s all I was asking about.

Ganga · 7 December 2019 at 9:00PM

Sound like you were lucky and did come across the type of person who would make a song and dance over a minor scratch that will probably polish out,was it an older car the person had? if not brand new probably not worth them making a fuss over it.

Cap2019 · 9 December 2019 at 1:04PM

ApplePie2019 wrote: »

No, that’s not what I mean at all, which I think is clear from my original post. I have every intention of doing the right thing, hence the note. However, the remedy to the issue will need to be proportionate. That’s all I was asking about.

And who gets to decide what is proportionate? you?

The third party has every right to repair the car to the standard it was before you caused any damage. If this entails replacing an entire body panel under the recommendation of their insurer then unfortunately so be it. Most people (myself included) wouldn't worry too much about a minor scratch but you have caused the damage and unfortunately doing the right thing means accepting the consequence, regardless of whether or not you agree it is proportionate.

Car Scratch - Advice Please

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