Locking your keys inside your car can be a frustrating and stressful experience, almost uniquely so – and if you’ve ever done it, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about! It’s a surprisingly easy mistake to make, especially if you're in a hurry, distracted, or simply having an off day. Thankfully though, you don’t necessarily need to have to break a window to resolve it. Having to resort to that kind of course of action can be particularly irritating, whether you’re driving a new car, or one you’ve procured through our online car auctions.
So, what’s best to do instead? Let’s go through your options!
Stay calm and assess the situation
The first and most important step is also the one that’s perhaps the most annoying to hear, and that’s to stay calm. First and foremost, it helps you to potentially avoid any potentially panicked decisions, which can sometimes end up making things worse. (For example, breaking a window.)
So then, take a deep breath and start from the beginning. Are all the doors locked? Have you checked the boot or any other entry points like the windows? Sometimes, a window might be slightly open, or a door might not have been fully secured, which can give you an easy way back into your car.
What options do you have?
You’ve got a choice of three main options:
- Use a spare key
- Use a car companion app
- Damage the car
- Call for professional help
Let’s start with the most preferable option – if you have a spare key nearby, now is the time to retrieve it. Many people keep a spare key at home or with a trusted friend or family member. If you’re not too far from home, it might be worth arranging for someone to bring the spare key to you. Make sure to double-check with family members before you dismiss this option entirely – they might be aware of a spare key that you may not have known about, or forgotten.
For keyless entry systems, many newer cars have apps or services that allow you to unlock your car remotely. If you’re this kind of system, check whether the car manufacturer has a mobile app that you can use to unlock your vehicle. This can be easier in some situations than in others – if you don’t already have an app, it can be hard to get the data to download one when you’re stuck on the side of the motorway.
The third option is naturally going to be a last-resort, and will generally be reserved for situations where there’s an active safety risk – such as if the car is in an awkward or dangerous position, or there’s a vulnerable member of your family inside (such as a baby or a dog). Even in situations like that, it’s worth bearing in mind that breaking a window or prying a door open could be potentially dangerous; not just to you, but whoever’s inside as well. (Once again, reasons why this should only be a method of last resort!)
If you’ve exhausted all those options, the only thing left is to…
Contact a professional
If DIY methods don’t work or you’re concerned about causing damage to your vehicle, it’s time to call in the professionals. Depending on your situation, you have several options – roadside assistance, locksmiths, or the dealership.
Roadside assistance services can often unlock your car without causing any harm. If you have a membership with a breakdown service like the AA or RAC, they should be your first port of call.
Alternatively, a locksmith who specialises in car locks can help. They have the tools and expertise needed to unlock your car quickly and safely.
If your car is still under warranty, contacting your car dealership might also be a good option. Some dealerships offer services to help in situations like these, such as providing a spare key or unlocking your car remotely. Even if your vehicle is out of warranty, the dealership may still be able to offer assistance or advice on the best course of action.
Preventing future lockouts
Locking yourself out of a car is a hard way to learn a lesson, but sometimes irritating experiences like that one can do wonders for galvanising your long-term memory. So if it is indeed something you’ve experienced, and you’re understandably keen to prevent it from happening again, here are a couple of things we’d suggest:
- Keep a spare key in a safe but accessible location, such as with a trusted friend or in a secure box at home
- Invest in a magnetic key box that can be hidden somewhere on the exterior of your car
- Make use of keyless entry apps or services if your vehicle supports them
And of course, if you’re on the lookout for a new vehicle, or looking for aftermarket parts to fix up your existing one, you’re in exactly the right place.
We take pride in providing you with a huge range of salvage cars to choose from in our online car auctions, including not just models from the likes of Ford and Volkswagen, as well as our range of other world-famous brands like Mercedes, Honda, and Peugeot. Our auctions are refreshed on a daily and weekly basis, so there are always bargains to be found. Why not take a look around, and see what you can find?
