Car keeps getting reversed into - what to do?
Discussion
I live on a busy residential street in central London and although you need a parking permit, there are too many cars for the street. People are fighting for spaces, regularly bullying their way into spaces too small for their cars. I've seen people reverse into the car behind them, then the car in front of them, then think, "Nope, I can't fit" and drive off!
My car has been reversed into three times (probably more but I say three times because that's how many times I've had to pay to repair it!) in the past 9 months. Once was last night and I saw the idiot doing it. I'd actually returned home from work on my bike and seen that a car was parked 1 inch from my rear bumper with very little maneuvering space; I had a strong belief that he'd already nudged it.
So, I went over and used my bike light to see if there was any damage. The car was parked so close that I couldn't walk between them or get to my boot. Sure enough, some light scratches and evidence that it had been 'gently brushed'. Nothing too much to worry about, T-Cut stuff. But, I'm angry as I could do without this nonsense happening all the time.
As I'm doing this, a guy approaches the car, gets in and starts reversing. I'm literally standing there with my torch on the bumper of my car as he drives into the f
king thing!! Calmly, I walk over to his passenger window as he's now putting it into 1st gear and knock on it. Window goes down:
"You just reveresed into my car, again. I suggest you stay there whilst I check for damage."
"What?! I didn't do it again. Promise! Besides mate, it's just a little touch, yeah?"
"We shall see, won't we?"
Anyway, couldn't see anything more than some extra scratches due to it being dark and my bumper having motorway detritus. I let him drive off. Probably stupidly as I haven't see it in the daylight.
My question is - Shall I move house (hold on, we've also been robbed when we first got here, as have 6 other houses
) or shall I buy a Defender with a tow bar and make sure their cars are irreversibly damaged when they use my car as a battering ram??
For the record, it's supposed to be a nice area and my rent is astronomical but I think I've had it. Maybe I'm too sensitive for the city...
My car has been reversed into three times (probably more but I say three times because that's how many times I've had to pay to repair it!) in the past 9 months. Once was last night and I saw the idiot doing it. I'd actually returned home from work on my bike and seen that a car was parked 1 inch from my rear bumper with very little maneuvering space; I had a strong belief that he'd already nudged it.
So, I went over and used my bike light to see if there was any damage. The car was parked so close that I couldn't walk between them or get to my boot. Sure enough, some light scratches and evidence that it had been 'gently brushed'. Nothing too much to worry about, T-Cut stuff. But, I'm angry as I could do without this nonsense happening all the time.
As I'm doing this, a guy approaches the car, gets in and starts reversing. I'm literally standing there with my torch on the bumper of my car as he drives into the f
king thing!! Calmly, I walk over to his passenger window as he's now putting it into 1st gear and knock on it. Window goes down:"You just reveresed into my car, again. I suggest you stay there whilst I check for damage."
"What?! I didn't do it again. Promise! Besides mate, it's just a little touch, yeah?"
"We shall see, won't we?"
Anyway, couldn't see anything more than some extra scratches due to it being dark and my bumper having motorway detritus. I let him drive off. Probably stupidly as I haven't see it in the daylight.
My question is - Shall I move house (hold on, we've also been robbed when we first got here, as have 6 other houses
) or shall I buy a Defender with a tow bar and make sure their cars are irreversibly damaged when they use my car as a battering ram??For the record, it's supposed to be a nice area and my rent is astronomical but I think I've had it. Maybe I'm too sensitive for the city...
Edited by The Stiglet on Saturday 14th January 13:46
Tow bar's a great idea. 
Where abouts in Central London are you? I used to live on Bedford Square for a few years and gave up counting the number of times I had my car nudged, rear wiper nicked, scooter broken into etc etc etc.
It got to the point where it really wasn't worth having anything nice on the street.
Where abouts in Central London are you? I used to live on Bedford Square for a few years and gave up counting the number of times I had my car nudged, rear wiper nicked, scooter broken into etc etc etc.
It got to the point where it really wasn't worth having anything nice on the street.
FRMATT said:
Are you allowed to drive around with the front towing hook on? could add a bit of frontal protection with that and as suggested a towbar at the back. Depends what car you have I guess
I was thinking this. There's the risk of it going missing or someone hitting it, but then spares are only a few quid on ebay. Screw it in when you park up, remove when you leave. Doesn't the E39 have one at each end too?
sjg said:
I was thinking this. There's the risk of it going missing or someone hitting it, but then spares are only a few quid on ebay. Screw it in when you park up, remove when you leave. Doesn't the E39 have one at each end too?
Just the one but I'm sure it would get nicked then some idiot would probably use it to smash my window in!It would also be pretty bad if it snapped...
Not sure if this would be practical but maybe one of those little cameras that cyclists use but hide it on the parcel shelf or something similar
The slightest bump would see the lense wobble so proof of contact and it would catch there number plate!
Like i say dont know how long they can record for or how much data they hold!
The slightest bump would see the lense wobble so proof of contact and it would catch there number plate!
Like i say dont know how long they can record for or how much data they hold!
I keep my Defender in a similar street where everyone parks like Parisians. I'm always finding bits of broken headlamp next to it, but one day I noticed that somebody had twisted my front bumper and left lots of body filler on the ground. From the looks of things they'd snagged a wheelarch whilst pulling into the space in front and pulled half the side out of their car! Bet they were gutted. 
However, my other car is one that just accumulates the knocks like yours. My attitude is that it's unfortunate, but until I can cough up for a house with a drive it's something I've just got to suck up.
However, my other car is one that just accumulates the knocks like yours. My attitude is that it's unfortunate, but until I can cough up for a house with a drive it's something I've just got to suck up.
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