[jwalker87]

The situation sucks for all parties, but at the end of the day, he didn't do anything that should have broken the car, so you are at fault.

I've had 2 similar (but not so pricey) situations with a car of mine and a friend. First time, he drove it around the block for me (was in storage, I was away), and a part broke due to old age. I replaced it. Second time, we were jacking up the car and he messed up the jack point somehow, and the jack ended up in the side of the door. $1000 for a new door panel. He footed that one.

So it depends, but in this case he had no reason not to do what he did, and should not be held responsible for pre-existing damage to your car.