Entitled friend uses roommate's car after her own car breaks down, roommate demands she stop when she takes it on leisure drives without asking: 'Fix your own car'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Nov 18, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Generally, no one likes saying 'no' to people they care about. If we could give the world to our loved ones, we would, no questions asked. But how far are we willing to go to give our loved ones things at the expense of our own benefit?

For example, if a friend asked you to borrow your car for a few weeks because their car broke down, your first instinct might be to say 'yes, of course', because you care about that person and want to help them whichever way you can. But then, if you think about it, giving someone else your car means that you won't have your car, which can truly complicate your day-to-day life. 

If you agree to share your car with your friend, you might end up like the roommates in the story below, and that is not a good thing. Since this young woman's car broke down, she has been using her roommate's car, but she isn't holding back. She takes the car wherever and whenever she feels like it, and that is not something the car's owner is happy about.

Keep scrolling to read the full story.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10576601856
    via Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for telling my roommate to stop using my car when hers technically still works.

    I am 25F share an apartment with my friend and roommate, Sarah 26F. We both have our own cars and normally handle our own expenses.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 03
    A few weeks ago, Sarah's car developed mechanical problems the check engine light came on and repairs would cost around $900.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 04
    She decided to delay fixing it, saying it could "hold up for now," and asked to borrow my car for a few errands.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 05
    I agreed, assuming it would just be temporary and limited to necessities like groceries or picking up packages.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 06
    But soon she started using my car much more taking it out for leisure drives, visiting friends, and running personal errands without checking with me first.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 07
    I became uncomfortable because I rely on my car for work, pay the insurance and maintenance myself, and didn't want extra wear or risk.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 08
    After one weekend when she took the car for a 3hour countryside drive while I needed it, I confronted her and told her she needed to stop using my car for trips that's not important.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 09
    I suggested she fix her own car or make other arrangements and I offered to help her with rides when convenient.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 10
    Sarah got upset, accusing me of being unsupportive and selfish, saying she thought we were friends who shared things.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 11
    I, however, feel she's overstepping and taking advantage of my initial kindness, and that if I continued to let her use my car freely that would make her over step her boundaries and create resentment.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 12
    Now I'm wondering if I was wrong for setting this boundary and telling her to stop using my car when she technically still has her own.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 13
    even though her car isn't broken beyond use, it just needs maintenance.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10576602112
    via evrim ertik

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    Mobile_Cranberry_575 Nta. You were being taken advantage of and have decided to stand up for yourself. Well done.
    via Mobile_Cranberry_575
  • 16
    OP One_Reveal_2717 Thanks, i feel a little bit relieved now.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 17
    KaliTheBlaze NTA. You were willing to help her out for necessities, which was generous and the kind of sharing a person might reasonably hope for with a close friend. (Note, not expect - cars are expensive things and car insurance tends to be really picky about other people driving your car, meaning a driver who's not on your insurance can leave you SOL if they get in a car accident.) You offered to give an inch, and she took a mile. Even if we ignore the financial side of things (which is a big
    via KaliTheBlaze
  • 18
    OP One Reveal_2717 Yes, I was willing to help her out for necessities. thanks for confirming it, I was wondering I overreacted, but I feel a bit relieved now.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 19
    ArriaLoom NTA. Sharing is fine, but you set a reasonable boundary; her extensive use of your property is taking advantage.
    via ArriaLoom
  • 20
    OP One_Reveal_2717 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I feel a bit relieved now.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 21
    NTA. No-Swimming-3599
    via No-Swimming-3599
  • 22
    OP One Reveal_2717 Thank you. I appreciate you saying that, it makes me feel better about the issue.
    via One_Reveal_2717
  • 23
    watchwatertilitboils If she lives with you, she has to be listed on your car insurance in order to be covered by it. It costs more to have additional people on your insurance. If she crashes your car and your insurance finds out she lives with you and is not on your insurance, they will give you nothing. Your car insurance covers other divers that don't live with you. FYI Be very, very careful with this situation.
    via watchwatertilitboils
  • 24
    Gulf CoastLover NTA but you will be one to yourself if you don't take the keys back. If there is a real emergency she can ask as long as you have the right to decline. If you choose to let her use it again, make sure your own insurance covers the usage in case hers does not - and set an expectation of the key being returned immediately when that incident of usage is done.
    via GulfCoastLover
  • 25
    Nanamoo2008 NTA Is she insured to drive your car though? You did a kind thing by letting her use your car, she abused your kindness! The thing is, she HAS a car herself, she just doesn't want to pay out to fix it. She's the selfish one here, not you. You can be friends and share things but that only works when 1 side doesn't abuse the kindness of the other, like she has done. Personally, even if she was insured to drive the car, i'd stop letting her use it. She'd then have to get her car fixed.
    via Nanamoo2008
  • 26
    Turtle_ti Take your car keys back, keep your car keys on you 24/7, keep them on your nightstand while you are sleeping When your roommate asks to use your vehicle, tell them No.
    via Turtle_ti
  • 27
    NTA. LittlestEcho You'll need to spell it out that she isn't to use your car anymore in a text. NOT with conditions. End of. Don't let her take it out anymore. She's banned forthright. Because unfortunately we've seen plenty of cases where the person takes it anyway, Wrecks it or the op reports it stolen. and the thief says or proves they have a blanket statement from the owner that they can use the car, or have set a precedent. And if she's not on your insurance as an insured driver when she ge
    via LittlestEcho

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friendship aita car work bad roommates friends cars reddit story driving entitled Reddit roommates breaking entitled people
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