Well, I'm 90% sure they did. I noticed a couple of days ago that the paint is chipped down to the metal on the rear wheel arch, and there is a scratch about 4 inches along following the line round the arch. We live in a cul-de-sac so cars use driveways for turning round, so I assumed someone must have caught mine doing this.

However, my neighbour has a driveway adjourning mine and when I saw their car tonight I noticed they have a scratch along their rear passenger door on the side of the car next to mine. I got the tape measure and the scratches are the same height, just waiting for daylight tomorrow to look at colour of the scratch on their car.

So... this happened on Tuesday and they haven't said anything to us yet. They either don't know they did it (is that possible?) or they know and don't want to say anything. Now, we get on pretty well with them so how best to broach the subject of "did you scratch my car and will you pay for it be repaired". In the nicest possible way of course.

Set fire to their house.

Set fire to their house.

Don't be so ridiculous!

His house might catch fire too. I favour a crossbow.

How about threatening them with a machete ?

Don't be so ridiculous!

His house might catch fire too. I favour a crossbow.

True , my mistake.

If the houses are close enough that the clueless tit can ram other people's cars then obviously flames may spread.

Execution is the only way.

Thanks for the feedback so far, chaps, but anything less extreme?

Knock on their door, say you've noticed they've scratched their car and wondered when they did it. Embarrassment may force the issue. They're unlikely to say "what's it got to do with you ?" if they've done it and if they do, you can raise it directly. If all else fails, claim and grin and bear it, but I do think a machete in your hand might help....

Bump into them outside (metaphorically) and mention that your car's been damaged, gauge their reaction (they may even come clean).

edit - great minds...

I find an 18 - 20oz alloy baseball bat makes a great leveller and has the added benefit of making a nice "ping" when it connects..........

I find talking preferable to the bat/machete/fire method.

Don't be embarassed or nervous, just suggest you think they may have scratched your car, show them your scratch, and then point out their scratch, and then they'll probably say, 'You did that to OUR car, not the other way round.' In which case deploy the bat/machete/fire method

I find an 18 - 20oz alloy baseball bat makes a great leveller and has the added benefit of making a nice "ping" when it connects..........

Nah!.......32oz Louisville Slugger! If it's worth doing it's worth doing well!

Since my new neighbours moved in 6 months ago, my car has been hit by their car doors twice, possibly 3 times.

1st time i couldnt be 100% sure it was them, but probably was.

2nd time a mark appeared on the fuel cap, lined up with their rear door as i tend to park more forward than they do, and i know it wasnt there the day before as i had fuelled up. I had a word with the guy and he said he would speak to his wife as she's the only one who drives. I just asked them to be more careful with their kids opening the doors.

3rd time they got their 3 year old to knock on my door and apologise for hitting the car, luckily it was just a scuff on the plastic bump strip, but its hard to be angry at a 3 year old with a sad face on.

I now check the car every time I park up and again before i go out.

Nah!.......32oz Louisville Slugger! If it's worth doing it's worth doing well!

Dear oh dear guys, surely it's better to behave like gentlemen .... I suggest pistols at dawn !

You could always get the people that dumped dung on Clarksons lawn to do the same to your neighbours!

Just say some kids told you it was them, and unless they own up your getting the police

Torch there car

just suggest you think they may have scratched your car, show them your scratch, and then point out their scratch, and then they'll probably say, 'You did that to OUR car, not the other way round.'

That has crossed my mind! Just been outside, and in the light of day I can see some race blue paint transfer on their silver car (been watching CSI Miami to brush up on my skills). WIll knock on their door later to see what they have to say,,,

I had a similar situation a few years back, I didn't really get on with the neighbour in question, but at the end of the day, if they've done it and are aware, it's criminal damage, I confronted my neighbour and they coughed to the damage, paid cash for the repair to. From what you say it sounds like it was definately them. Just knock the door and ask, they can only deny it, if they do, wait till it gets dark, collect up some dog 'stuff' in a paper bag, place it on their door step and set it on fire, then ring their bell step back and enjoy them stamping it out!!!

That has crossed my mind! Just been outside, and in the light of day I can see some race blue paint transfer on their silver car (been watching CSI Miami to brush up on my skills). WIll knock on their door later to see what they have to say,,,

Let me know what they say or do!

Sounds like this could get nasty and interesting!:eek:

Just knock the door and ask, they can only deny it, if they do, wait till it gets dark, collect up some dog 'stuff' in a paper bag, place it on their door step and set it on fire, then ring their bell step back and enjoy them stamping it out!!!

I presume that the above was said in jest but the OP said that he gets on with his neighbour and personally I think I'd rather pay for the damage myself than risk falling out with a neighbour that I get on with. I used to live next door to a neigbour who was a nightmare and I wouldn't want to do so again for the sake of a scuff on the car. If they're decent people then they'll probably feel the same.

reminds me of when my next door neighbour knocked over a fence post with her ka, which made the fence panel fall on one of my felicia's, then when she scurried away to get her husband to come round and confess it was him (i saw her do it ) the wind blew the fence panel off and it landed on hers

....... the wind blew the fence panel off and it landed on hers

That's what's called summary justice!

Thanks for the feedback so far, chaps, but anything less extreme?

Hire a cement mixer and pour concrete in through the sunroof.

Just make sure all the doors and windows are firmly closed first, though.

Get some of that cavity expanding foam and a length of hose and casualty squirt it up there exhaust