Help in solving a problem please.

[ladybirder]

I have a designated parking space where I live which is between two others. On the driver's side of my car I don't have a problem but to my left, on the passenger's side my car has lots of scuff marks where whoever is using that parking spot must be opening their door and knocking my car. I believe it is happening when the car is parked at home as I am retired and that is where it spends most of its time. Surely if it was happening when I was out and about it would by the law of averages sometimes be on the driver's side as well. And it isn't. I want to buy a new car but don't want it ruined. Trouble is the chap who owns said parking spot doesn't have a car nor does his lodger. BUT their girlfriends, their visitors and relatives, and in particular the owner's mother, all park there. Owner and his mother are very aggressive, arrogant people and the minute I politely say something, I know they will take offence and deny it is anything to do with them. And thy won't be nice about it. Am I being unreasonable in deducing where the damage is coming from and how do ABers suggest I go about solving the problem?

[bimbo123456]

It's a shame there is not a car equivalent to vandal paint, or a cover you could put over your car that would mark someones paintwork. Hey there's another idea I will never patent. LOL

[tamborine]

Dangerous to accuse without proof, set up a cctv camera. Reverse park your car to even up damage :)

[dotty.]

can you not put a fence around your space? You can get thise metal posts that are concreted into the ground and unlock and flatten.

[ladybirder]

Thank you for your suggestions. I suppose covering the target area might be a solution and also if I could rig up a cctv in my car. Agree I can't accuse without proof. The whole thing is an irritation I could do without. There are 8 or 9 marks on my car FGS, doesn't anyone take car anymore.

[ladybirder]

Dotty no it wouldn't be feasible to put a post or fence on the lines designating my space I' afraid. And can anyone tell me why "Mark as Best Answer" is appearing on the comments in this thread?

[boxtops]

ladybirder, everyone gets Mark as Best Answer on their own threads - if you think one is better than another then you click it, but it doesn't make any difference and nobody else can see it but you.

[tamborine]

Rig up cctv from a room that overlooks your parked car. With that evidence the police would take action for you.

[jomifl]

The worst culprits are 4x4s with a wheel arch cutout on the back door that leaves a pointy bit on the back doors. If there are children getting out they usually fling the door open carelessly. A friend of mine with a newish Merc. always parks at an angle but still within his parking space Which means that cars can't park close enough to do damage. An alarm triggered by a movement sensor might discourage them or at least ambarrass them if such is possible.

[gingejbee]

Even with proof of who the culprit is, I doubt that you can do much about this sort of thing. My best idea is to make sure that any new car has protective mouldings running the whole length of it - think they're called "rubbing strips", or something similar.

[ladybirder]

Thanks Boxtops that explains it. Thought I was doing something wrong. Tambourine would the police really take action if I had proof? And jomifl "An alarm triggered by a movement sensor might discourage them or at least ambarrass them if such is possible" - great idea if there is such a thing. I shall investigate. CCTV would be good but I am some way from my space, and to get a shot of the "knock" and the number plate at the same time would be difficult. But I shall have a ponder. If I get a new car would it be safer on the road I ask myself.

[tamborine]

cctv evidence shown to cops allowed them to interview culprit and give URN case number for claim against their insurance. Cops gave their insurance details and culprits were sued for damage.....it does work !

[gingejbee]

Unfortunately, scratches and scuff marks wouldn't be regarded as serious damage in the same way as,say, deliberate vandalism.

[Dagman]

A late reply but can you occupy the spot yourself with an old car you don't use or a better neighbour to use the space?

[ladybirder]

Dagman thanks for the reply, late or not. Unfortunately I can't do that as we bought our parking spaces and that one belongs to him. Wish I could. I might get a "spare" traffic cone and put that between his spot and mine. I'm still weighing up the suggestions. Thanks for your.