Mechanic used my car to organise a drug deal

[Mr Dripping]

Hi - anyone have any advice?

My car has just been in the bodyshop for (insurance) repairs. During these repairs, the car needed to be moved to a main dealer for specialist diagnostics.

On the drive back from the dealer site to the bodyshop, my dashcam clearly recorded the driver (a bodyshop employee) making a phone call arranging a Class A drug deal (he being the supplier).

I am seriously uncomfortable knowing that my car was used for these purposes. Would reporting it to my insurance company, or the police, have any tangible benefit?

I am conscious of the fact that the bodyshop has all my personal details on file and available, rightly or wrongly, to anyone involved. I don't want to put me or my family at risk.

My dashcam is in plain sight - I make no attempt to hide it - so anyone driving would know they were being recorded.

[KungFuPanda]

Being pragmatic about it, I'd approach the bodyshop manager with the evidence and advise him that you want other non accident related damage to your car repaired free of charge and nothing more will be said.

That's just me though.

[Daggle74]

I think that is what's known as a Catch-22. I am a bit of a half glass full chap, so I consider the worst case scenario (practically speaking, not Hollywood worst case) where you report him to the Police and the 'dealer' checks out your home address on the works computer and puts a brick through your car window/house window? Is that something that is worth going through and feeling that you did the right thing?

I appreciate that there is a moral and social reason as to why this person should be brought to the attention of the authorities both in his workplace and through the Police but at the end of the day if he is a proper dealer he will be on the Police's radar already and although your dash cam evidence provides a picture of his actions it won't be the final nail in his coffin.

Can't say I am going to be much help here....

[paintman]

More likely the bodyshop manager - who I'm presuming isn't the local drug lord using his staff to deliver his wares - would want to use your evidence to sack the employee.
And likely involve the Police.

[Drezza]

Say nothing, there's zero risk to you by keeping shtum but potentially a lot of grief if you dob him in.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Mr Dripping said:

Hi - anyone have any advice?

My car has just been in the bodyshop for (insurance) repairs. During these repairs, the car needed to be moved to a main dealer for specialist diagnostics.

On the drive back from the dealer site to the bodyshop, my dashcam clearly recorded the driver (a bodyshop employee) making a phone call arranging a Class A drug deal (he being the supplier).

I am seriously uncomfortable knowing that my car was used for these purposes. Would reporting it to my insurance company, or the police, have any tangible benefit?

I am conscious of the fact that the bodyshop has all my personal details on file and available, rightly or wrongly, to anyone involved. I don't want to put me or my family at risk.

My dashcam is in plain sight - I make no attempt to hide it - so anyone driving would know they were being recorded.

Are you sure the employee wasn’t taking the piss, knowing full well he was being recorded?

I think the police would struggle to prosecute someone on the basis of a 3rd party recording of a ‘potential deal’

That aside, I don’t think I would put myself through the hassle and potential issues that may arise.

[Alucidnation]

[Mr Dripping]

Drezza said:

Say nothing, there's zero risk to you by keeping shtum but potentially a lot of grief if you dob him in.

I'm thinking this. I live about three streets away from the bodyshop and my car is fairly distinctive and parked on the driveway in front of the house.

[Centurion07]

Mr Dripping said:

I am seriously uncomfortable knowing that my car was used for these purposes.

Wut?

Your car wasn't used for anything. The guy made a phone call, presumably on his own phone, whilst moving your car from A to B. Not YOUR phone. NOT driving YOUR car to meet anyone. Purely to make a call.

Mr Dripping said:

Would reporting it to my insurance company, or the police, have any tangible benefit?

Why in hell would your insurance company be interested?!

The police MAY be interested if they don't have much on but it will involve speaking to the dealer to at the very least ascertain WHO it was you've recorded.

Mr Dripping said:

I am conscious of the fact that the bodyshop has all my personal details on file and available, rightly or wrongly, to anyone involved. I don't want to put me or my family at risk.

There's your answer then. There is no way for you to report this to anyone that can do anything about it without being identified.

Mr Dripping said:

My dashcam is in plain sight - I make no attempt to hide it - so anyone driving would know they were being recorded.

Maybe he assumed it was off? Maybe he was taking the piss? Maybe he thought it didn't record in-car sound?

[Trevor555]

Drezza said:

Say nothing, there's zero risk to you by keeping shtum but potentially a lot of grief if you dob him in.

This 200%

My Dad always said to me

"Never fall out with anyone who knows where you live"

Just keep the footage in case you get a knock on the door from BIB

[SlickSwissToni]

Mr Dripping said:

Drezza said:

Say nothing, there's zero risk to you by keeping shtum but potentially a lot of grief if you dob him in.

I'm thinking this. I live about three streets away from the bodyshop and my car is fairly distinctive and parked on the driveway in front of the house.

If you report it, it'll be linked to you...and more than likely come back to bite you!

I don't condone what was done, but perhaps turning a blind eye on this occasion is the best option for your own peace of mind (and possibly safety).

[Mr Dripping]

Centurion07 said:

Mr Dripping said:

I am seriously uncomfortable knowing that my car was used for these purposes.

Wut?

If I entrust my expensive, insured, taxed property to someone else to look after for a legitimate purpose, I don't expect it to be used as an accessory for criminal activity.

I don't care if the bodyshop employee chats to his mates while in charge of my car. However, if he wants to arrange his coke deals, he can do so well away from the vehicle I drive my family around in.

Sorry if I'm being unfashionable here.

[10126 Torino]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

What's a "reprussion" ?

[p4cks]

Not every incident that is captured on a dashcam is worthy of uploading/discussion/reporting.

Ignore it. I'd actually find it quite funny if it were me!

[dudleybloke]

What's his prices like?

[coffeebreath]

One might consider a bodyshop mechanic with extracurricular interests could be a friend worth making.

[untakenname]

dudleybloke said:

What's his prices like?

Could probably negotiate a discount.

[ClaphamGT3]

You know all that annoying white, powdery dust that gets all over the interior whenever your car’s been to the body shop? This time it may not be filler dust......

[Jasandjules]

ClaphamGT3 said:

You know all that annoying white, powdery dust that gets all over the interior whenever your car’s been to the body shop? This time it may not be filler dust......

But, just don't sniff it to check...

[ClaphamGT3]

Jasandjules said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

You know all that annoying white, powdery dust that gets all over the interior whenever your car’s been to the body shop? This time it may not be filler dust......

But, just don't sniff it to check...

For the next few weeks, taking a ride in the OPs car is going to be like going to a pool party at Michael Barrymore’s gaffe