A TEENAGER was left £750 out of pocket when a ‘de-icing’ hack he used on his car badly backfired.
Viral footage shows the moment Daniel Johnston is gripped by panic as his blue Ford Fiesta crashes through his neighbour’s garage door.
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The 19-year-old had been trying to de-ice the by switching on the car’s heated windscreen – but hadn’t properly put the handbrake on the last time he used it.
The car, which had also been left in gear and in reverse, slowly begins to roll back after he switches on the engine, gathering speed as it hurtles towards his neighbour’s garage door.
Daniel hopelessly tries to grab the wheel, but there is no way to stop it.
The hatchback then sails through the garage with an almighty bang as Daniel looks on in absolute horror.
The car salesman explained his neighbour had allowed him to park on his drive because there wasn’t much room at his home.
The smash caused 3750 worth of damage, crashing through the door and damaging a bike and a wall – as well as the car’s bumper.
Daniel said he knocked on his neighbour’s door straight away – but having heard the almighty bang, they already knew what had happened.
Daniel’s neighbour, Nick, 67, said he couldn’t be angry with the teenager, because he’s made a similar mistake before.
Nick, who shares the home with his wife, Jules, said: “We couldn’t get cross with the lad because the first thing he did was come straight to the front door.
“I think I’d have legged it down the street. Accidents happen.”
Nick added that he is covering costs until Daniel can afford to pay him back.
Daniel said: “I had to go and knock straight away, but when they answered they said ‘don’t worry we already know’.
“They were very understanding and calm about it, I was grateful for that, they’re nice people.
“I knew I’d have to pay up. You have savings for a reason, I guess.
“I’m going to park on the roads because I don’t need to be on the driveway.”
The teenager also explained he had a late night, which might be why he hadn’t properly put the handbrake on.
He added: “I never start my car [when I’m] outside and make sure it’s in neutral. I keep moving the gear stick left to right, left to right.
My handbrake was up but not fully locked up. Usually, if something happens you can push it out of gear, but I was too shocked to react and my hand stayed on my key.
“I grabbed my steering wheel but I didn’t know what I was trying to do. It was just blind panic and it was early in the morning so I was tired.”
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