How do I track down this idiot? What would you do?

[Speedbird]

Went in to town this morning to do some shopping. Got there quite early, and as usual, parked at the far end of the car park, in an end spot. There were no other cars around when I parked there.

Got back to my car a few hours later and found this:

They have clearly swung into the spot and scuffed my door as they have gone in, the evidence is as clear to see on their car as it is on my door!

It is an ANPR car park, my time was running out, and I didn't have the time stay and potentially wait hours for them to get back. Couldn't even leave a note as I didn't have pen and paper!

From their registration, is there any way I can find out who they are or where they live? Failing that, is there anything else I can do? In a twist of fate, their front tyre was already flat when I got back, so they will have that to sort out, which hopefully pushes them over their parking time limit and they get a fine!!

 

[RUM4MO]

I suppose that you could use your insurer to trace them, but that would come with its own issues I suppose.

 

[black_sheep]

Problem with involving insurance companies is that your premium will go up, regardless of fault and even with protected no claims, even if you don’t actually make a claim.

Other option is via DVLA:

Request information about a vehicle or its registered keeper from DVLA

Request details about a vehicle's registered keeper: bulk data, anonymised data, mileage data requests, other information requests

www.gov.uk

However, for both of above, whilst the balance of probability is in your favour, unless there are any witnesses or CCTV/dash cam footage, the registered keeper and/or driver can claim that it wasn’t them.

You may get away with a paint less dent removal and a detail on the paint work there as the damage looks like a light scuff. The swage line on the bottom of the door is where the paint looks most damaged, but hopefully just transferred from the other car - cost for this will probably be less than the average excess and premium increase.

 

[Seriously?]

I HATE public car parks. Our Leon has been 'attacked' 3 times now. People just don't give a ....
Simple answer to your issue is either you prepare yourself for a whole load of hassle trying to trace the guilty party through your insurance (which will ultimately mean you end up paying more at renewal time) or just suck it up and get the damage fixed out of your own pocket.

 

[rafletcher]

You did deflate their tyres I assume?

 

[SRGTD]

I HATE public car parks.

Me too. My previous car was damaged a few years ago when I had no option but to park in a public car park while I was at the dentist. Fortunately, it was fixable by a local independent PDR guy who did an excellent job.

I hate supermarket car parks too, and only go there very early in the day when they first open and there are few other vehicles in the car park. These days, pretty much any journey of less than 2-3 miles I’ll walk; leaving the car at home is better for the environment, it eliminates the risk of parking damage and it’s better for my health and helps towards me achieving my 10k a day step count. Win-Win!

 

[SteveGSXR600K1]

I had exactly the same thing happen to me before. This car pulled into the space next to mine, put a nice crease down the front wing and left the white paint on my car. It had only just happened as I only left the car a few mins. This chap who was near the cars, so I asked him if he witnessed anything. He said the car was his! He completely denied it and there were no other witnesses. I called the Police and they didn't give a sh!t as it was on private property. But they issued me a producer as I'd reported an accident!! I just had to suck it up and put it through my insurance. The worst thing was that this was a new car and was a larger car (Mondeo) and my wife was visiting us in hospital. I said please don't park it in the front car park as the spaces are smaller than normal........

 

[matthab]

The issue with that is even with photos it will be a he said she said argument, unless you have video. You can try but id chalk it up and fix yourself, it should only be a panel respray, which is about £350-400 a panel.

You park right at the back and some numpty parks right next to you, doesn't matter where you park the numpties still find you.