AITA for refusing to let my brother borrow my car for his wedding after he trashed it the last time?

A Reddit user is facing backlash from family after refusing to let their brother borrow their car for his wedding exit. The brother had previously borrowed the car for a weekend trip, only to return it in poor condition—trashed interior, a scratch on the side, and an empty gas tank.

Despite the past incident, the brother insists on borrowing the car again, dismissing previous damages as “a small mistake” and accusing the user of being selfish for saying no. Now, the family is pressuring the user to relent, claiming they’re being unreasonable. Read the full story below…

‘ AITA for refusing to let my brother borrow my car for his wedding after he trashed it the last time?’

I (34M) own a car that I’ve worked really hard to afford. It’s not a luxury car, but it’s something I take pride in because I saved for years to buy it. I keep it in great condition and make sure it’s always clean and well-maintained. My brother (31M) is getting married soon and asked if he could borrow my car to use for his wedding exit because “it looks better than his.”

At first, I considered it because it’s a big day for him, but here’s the problem: he borrowed my car once a couple of years ago for a weekend trip and completely trashed it. When he returned it, there was trash everywhere, a scratch on the side, and the gas tank was nearly empty. He didn’t apologize or offer to fix the scratch—he just laughed it off and said, “It’s just a car, man.”

When I brought that up, he said I’m being dramatic and that “it’s just one day,” but I told him no. Now my parents are saying I’m being selfish and that it’s family, so I should get over it. My brother is also telling everyone I’m trying to ruin his wedding over “a small mistake” from years ago. I feel bad because I know weddings are stressful, but I don’t think I can trust him with my car again. AITA for refusing to let him borrow it?

These are the responses from Reddit users:

CrabbyPatty1876 −  Nope. Tell your parents it’s also an option to rent a car for him if he cares that much. If anyone returns something to me in a worse condition than when they borrowed it they will never borrow something from me again.

Ok-Control-787 −  Tell him to rent a car for the day. It’s just one day, after all. And it’s just a car, man. Now my parents are saying I’m being selfish and that it’s family, so I should get over it. Do your dopey parents have a car? Can they help him rent one? Why are they so selfish?

Infamous-Cash9165 −  NTA there at plenty of services that will rent him a nicer car than yours for his wedding day, and those places are insured for it.

HygorBohmHubner −  And make sure to keep your keys on you at all times… I have a feeling he could “accidentally” take them.

Rowana133 −  NTA but tell him and your parents to rent a car if such a small thing like not borrowing your car can “ruin his wedding day” smh.

lookingformiles −  Sure let him borrow it. As soon as he gives you a cash deposit worth the cost of replacing it and a few extra thousand for your trouble and for being without a car while he has it. If he doesn’t like those terms he can feel free to f**k off. And your parents can help him with the cost since they want him to have it so much.. NTA.

RandomReddit9791 −  NTA. He can rent a car if it’s that important to him.

d4everman −  I think I’ve read this story before…

Ipso-Pacto-Facto −  He should rent a really cool one. You need yours that day.

Emmaa-Jackson −  NTA, you’ve worked hard for your car and have every right to be cautious after how he treated it last time. It’s not selfish to protect your property.