18-year-old fixes his car with his late dad's tools to save money, neighbor reports him, and racks up enough fines to force him to sell it: ‘I stepped inside for 5 minutes’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Sep 7, 2026 9:45 AM EDT

When saving money on a car repair somehow ends up costing you the whole car.

Some neighbors seem like they're not normal people. Some of them live their lives based on anger and stress, and always find a way to spread that negative energy among the people they live with or cross paths with. In the story shared by u/Top_Total_8787, he explains that he was fixing his car clutch that broke with his late dad's tools to save some money. He was in his complex's parking lot and was very mindful about not making a mess and being as careful as possible.

We all know that fixing a car can be a tiring situation, so he decided to go inside for five minutes to grab a glass of water and then get to work. He was so unlucky that during those minutes that he stepped away, he's crazy neighbor took pictures of the tools on the floor and the car, and reported him to the building administrator. His goal? I guess he was just having a bad day…

Of course, the company sided with the neighbor and sent the 18-year-old boy a lot of fines that he had to pay very soon. And not only that: they threatened to get the car towed, since it was not working, so he had to sell it as quickly as possible, making him lose a lot of money. Not only the money he was saving by fixing the car on his own, but also the money that he would have made if he had the car fixed and ready to sell.

That's what I mean when I say that some people are just mean. This man had no business reporting him and putting a bunch of fines on his table. I'm sure that he's aware of his situation, and he was just fixing his car to save some cash. It's an honest answer, and he was not doing anything wrong. Hopefully, the neighbor gets the revenge he deserves, and it's put in the correct place… maybe life can teach him a karmic lesson.

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  • A young man repairs his car using hand tools after deciding he cannot afford to take it to a mechanic.
    via Unsplash+ (via Sten Rademaker)

    A young man repairs his car using hand tools after deciding he cannot afford to take it to a mechanic.

    Not actual story subjects.

  • I just turned 18 and work on a budget. My 2007 Civic's clutch d d, and I couldn't afford shop rates, so I spent days teaching myself how to replace it in my complex's parking lot using my late dad's hand tools.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • I kept the spot as clean as possible, packed up every night, and proactively cleaned any drips using cat litter and specialized oil cleaner. But the one time I stepped inside for 5 minutes to grab a drink of water, my
    via Top_Total_8787
  • neighbor came out and snapped photos of my tools sitting on the ground. He sent those photos straight to Strata along with complaints exaggerating permanent messes and oil spills.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Strata sided with him and hit me with so many fines that it completely wiped out what I saved doing the repair myself. They eventually threatened to tow the car, forcing me to sell it quickly just to clear the fines and avoid losing more money.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • The whole neighborhood (mostly retirees) already dislikes this guy because he complains about everything, but he completely ruined me financially over a basic repair. Since he loves reporting
    via Top_Total_8787
  • people to Strata, I cannot do anything that violates bylaws or puts me at risk of more fines. What are the best 100% legal, zero-risk ways to make his daily life slightly more annoying?
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Gogogrl Fines before a warning? Might want to check to see if that's allowed in the bylaws.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Naughtaclue242 Scatter some tools around his car and take some pictures...
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Any_Community_1819 Take photos of the spot you worked at, all cleaned up, and send them to Strata. Ask them to show you where you damaged the tarmac.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • A bitter neighbor watches closely after reporting an 18-year-old for repairing his car in the complex parking lot.
    via Unsplash+ (via René Ranisch)

    A bitter neighbor watches closely after reporting an 18-year-old for repairing his car in the complex parking lot.

    Representative only.

  • this_doggo r/pettyrevenge and r /unethicallifeprotips can help
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Affectionate_Sort_78 This dude maybe wrote a letter or made a phone call to the Latter Day Saints saying he need spiritual recovery, and that they should be persistent when they come because a lot of times the devil takes over his soul and he pushes people away
    via Top_Total_8787
  • PeggingOnMolly Look up the rules and then photo anytime he violates the rules. Doe he have any potted plants? Check the bylaws, curtains a weird color check the by laws, Xmas lights....
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Insufferable_Entity Funny, where did you get pictures of him working on his car? I mean it would be a shame if Strata had pictures of 'his' tools laid out to work on his car with his license plate on full view. No one would be petty enough to take 5 seconds laying out random tools and snapping a picture right?
    via Top_Total_8787
  • lens_cleaner Well in an apartment complex, they usually have fine print stating no vehicle work, not even oil changes. Sad but true.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • justanotherdamntroll Tuna juice along the bottom of his windshield, where the air inlets are or along the bottom of the passenger side window, bird seed on the top of his car
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Longshot1969 When people get like that, it's fair for you and your neighbors to use code enforcement on him as well. It's nearly impossible not to be in violation, so give it back.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • plantverdant Get an air horn. Occasionally blast as you walk past.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • NervousExcitement530 i think you need to teach him a lesson
    via Top_Total_8787
  • A young car owner works on his vehicle himself to save money on an expensive clutch repair.
    via Unsplash+ (via LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR)

    A young car owner works on his vehicle himself to save money on an expensive clutch repair.

    Licensed media provided as editorial context.

  • NutAli Cut a hole in the pockets of some old trousers &, with bird seeds in hands, take a walk right next to his car, scatter the seeds through the pocket holes. Birds love sitting on cars & crapping on them.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • SerialSection So you broke the rules of the complex and are now upset that you are fined. Yes, your neighbor isn't your friend but the fines and everything else is on you.
    via Top_Total_8787
  • Exciting-Warthog-129 Wouldn't be so strange if some dandelion seeds "accidentally" blew onto his lawn. Snap photos every time you walk past his lawn and see one growing. I don't think it's illegal to walk around with dry dandelions in your pocket.
    via Top_Total_8787

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parking lot fines car clutch Bad Neighbor fixing the car
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