Accident - accusing someone of hitting my vehicle

[NewbieP99]

Hi,

So basically a couple of wks ago, I walked out to my car which is parked on a public street in London and noticed some damage on the front - a small dent, a cracking of a light, and scrapes consistent with a vehicle like a jeep having reversed into my bonnet (my car is quite low to the ground). No note was left by them at the scene.

Over the past couple of wks, I have checked out jeeps that park regularly in the area, and this evening found one I believe to be consistent with the damage - scrapes on their bumper, and a sticking out rear parking sensor that is same height as what could have damaged the light/dent.

Damage is circa £500 to get front panel paint job to fix.

I have not reported it to the police yet. So my question is how to approach it now? Do I leave a note on the jeep asking if they crashed into my black car a couple wks ago? Do I leave my number and ask them to call me so I don't have to approach authorities? What should I write?

Many thanks for your help.

[Mk3Spitfire]

You could try a note, or a face to face chat. But you're going to be relying largely on their honesty, and based on their failure to leave a not at the time, I think you might be struggling. Very hard to prove it was that jeep. Good luck though. I doubt very much police will get involved at this stage.

[bigandclever]

Mk3Spitfire said:

I think you might be struggling.

Understatement of the year.

[MrOrange]

"I have not reported it to the police yet."

mmc

As said, no proof, you're stuffed. Suck it up or be ready for a fight if you choose to pick on.

[SV8Predator]

NewbieP99 said:

and scrapes consistent with a vehicle like a jeep having reversed into my bonnet

Now (seriously) what form of detective deduction leads you to believe that the damage is "consistent with a vehicle like a jeep"? And what exactly, in your mind, is a "jeep"?

Maybe it was a Transit van? You should now go out and scour the streets looking for a Transit van with scratches on its bumper.

[NiceCupOfTea]

The only way you will get any joy is if you chance it and say "you were witnessed..." and hope they cough to it and offer to pay.

[D_G]

Two weeks ago someone smashed the side off my car and drove off. Looking at the damage I thought a van had done it, it later turned out it was a Peugeot 206. Unless they come forward or admit it you have no chance.

[Mound Dawg]

Even assuming it is the correct Jeep you've got two chances of the owner coughing for this.

Fat and slim.

[scarble]

Fat and slim?
I praise you for your effort but I think you've confused the phrase, right here, right now, I can't remember the correct wording, it's going out of my head.

[Mk3Spitfire]

How about using the "two hopes" one instead?

[Mr2Mike]

scarble said:

Fat and slim?
I praise you for your effort but I think you've confused the phrase, right here, right now, I can't remember the correct wording, it's going out of my head.

No confusion, just a variation on "Bob Hope" and "No Hope", or "Somewhere between slim and none, and Slim's out of town".