Man demands coworker pay repair fees, after borrowing his car and returning it with a cracked windscreen, she refuses, claiming it was already damaged, goes on to tell all their coworkers that he's "punishing" her: 'They can’t prove it was me'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Dec 6, 2025 8:00 PM EST

One rule I was repeatedly taught growing up was to never borrow something unless I was certain I could return it in the same, if not better, condition than when it was borrowed. Whether it be a toy or a Toyota…it wasn't about the cost to replace it, it was about the principle. And if, by some unfortunate event, you did end up damaging someone else's belongings…the first step was accountability, and then offering to replace it! If you were unwilling to do either, then you should not have the luxury of borrowing. 

This employee is starting to regret his generosity as he lends his car to a fellow coworker for some last-minute after-work errands…He was pleasantly surprised to see that she had re-filled the tank upon its return. However, when he took a closer look at his car, he noticed something concerning. The windscreen looked as though it could have been the set of a Grim Reaper movie, covered in cracks. He confronted his coworker, as he was certain it was untouched before she borrowed it! But she denied any 'suspicious activity' happening under her watch, refusing to contribute to any repair costs…Maybe this will teach him not to lend out his car to any more coworkers…

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • She went as far as to claim that refilling the tank was an unnecessary favor and that his asking her to split the costs was completely uncalled for. However, some could argue that returning someone's car with a huge crack in the windscreen may also be considered highly ‘uncalled-for’…We don't predict that this office friendship will blossom much further…Perhaps that's the one thing they could both agree on? 

  • Workers replacing a car's windscreen
    via industrialphotograph

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

  • AITJ for not letting my coworker borrow my car again after she returned it with a full tank but a cracked windshield and said it “must’ve already been there”?

    I (29M) carpool with a few coworkers sometimes. One of them, Jess (26F), is always friendly and we've gotten along fine.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • Last week her car wouldn't start and she asked if she could borrow mine for the afternoon since she had to run a few errands after work.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • I hesitated but agreed. She brought it back that evening, tank full, everything seemed okay. The next morning, I noticed a long crack across the windshield.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • Not a tiny chip, an actual full diagonal crack. Hard to miss. I texted her immediately.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • She said, "Oh weird... I didn't notice anything. Maybe it was already like that?" It definitely wasn't.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • I brought it to a repair place, and they said it probably happened within the last 24 hours due to an impact (likely a rock).
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • When I told Jess this, she said, "Well, if they can't prove it was me, I don't think I should have to pay.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • Coworkers arguing in the office
    via davidpereiras

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

  • Cracks just happen sometimes." I said I wasn't asking her to pay the full repair but at least split it, and she refused, saying she "did me a favor returning the car with gas." I told her she can't borrow my car again.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • She's been cold and told other coworkers I'm "punishing her for something that wasn't her fault," making me look like I'm overreacting.
    via Odd_Evidence_5062
  • traciw67 Ntj. "You can't prove it's me." That's all you need to know. She's a liar and not responsible.
    via traciw67
  • Sweet-Adeptness-8785 I've had rock chips that you could barely see for weeks that turned into giant cracks overnight due to temperature changes or just wear and tear. It is entirely possible the initial event that caused the crack happened outside your coworker's use of the car. A rock chip has nothing to do with the negligence of the driver so even if it did happen while your coworker had the car it is your responsibility, not hers. Do you have insurance? If so you probably have comprehensive c
    via Sweet-Adeptness-8785
  • Puzzled-Award-2236 Perfect! Your coworkers can step up and loan her one of their cars.
    via Puzzled-Award-2236
  • United-Manner20 NTJ- she doesn't respect you or your property. She can ride public transport. She did the bare minimum by adding gas to a car she borrowed for free. She wouldn't set foot in that car again.
    via United-Manner20
  • Woman filling up the car with gas
    via noey-smiley

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

  • kimmy-mac Staaahp letting anyone borrow your car. Period. NTJ.
    via kimmy-mac
  • PattiiB NTJ, I lend my car to no one, not even my husband, he can drive his truck. I'm not mean, it's just my Jeep
    via PattiiB
  • Radio_Mime She did you a favour by returning the car with gas? That's the least she should do because you did her a favour by letting you use the car. She sounds like a user. Other people see right through her. Complain to HR if she doesn't stop. Perhaps she should maintain her own car better, or get another if hers isn't reliable.
    via Radio_Mime
  • Ok_Somewhere_8549 Never let anyone use your car. If she needed to run errands she could have taken public transportation Uber or rented a car.
    via Ok_Somewhere_8549
  • Pleasant Studio9690 Twice in the past ten years I've parked my car and walked into work with no cracked windshield and then returned to a large crack. It is feasible that the crack really wasn't there yet when she dropped it off, making her skeptical of the need to take any responsibility.
    via Pleasant_Studio9690
  • kkrolla NTJ. DON'T LEND PEOPLE YOUR CAR! Or anything that if they damage, you are willing to fix on your dime. Think of her as your hard earned lesson.
    via kkrolla
  • Lisa Knows Best Why in the world would you ever allow a coworker to borrow your car? Don't ever let anyone except maybe a spouse to drive your car. You know she broke your windshield and you know she's lying about it. Let her be cold and distant, who cares. Never give her a ride again and make sure your other coworkers know what she did.
    via Lisa_Knows_Best
  • Evening Delay_1856 NTJ. OP, she's just digging herself in deep by saying this stuff to your coworkers. Surely they're not stupid. They'll never let her borrow their cars. And now you know to go by Shakespeare's wise quote: Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
    via Evening_Delay_1856

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

cracked workplace-stories windscreen drama car work coworkers borrow
Scroll Down For The Next Article