Locked Out of Your Car? Do This First

Almost every driver will lock themselves out of their car at least once. It usually happens at the worst possible time — at the supermarket with a boot full of shopping, at the airport long-stay car park after a long flight, or in the school run-rush. This is what to do, in order.

1. Check every door and the boot

Try every door and the tailgate before assuming you're fully locked out. Auto-locking systems sometimes leave one door unlatched.

2. Check for a spare

Is the spare key with a partner, a parent, at home, or at the office? If you can get to it within a reasonable time, that is usually the cheapest solution.

3. Children or pets inside? Dial 999

If there is any sign of distress from a child or animal locked inside the vehicle, dial 999 immediately. Then call us — we will still attend, but emergency services come first.

4. Call a mobile auto locksmith

A professional auto locksmith will arrive within 20–30 minutes for most of West London and the Thames Valley, with the right tools to open the door non-destructively. Most jobs are completed within 5–10 minutes of arrival.

5. Do not let anyone use a coat hanger

It almost never works on modern cars and frequently damages the door seal, the window regulator and the wiring inside the door. The same goes for slim-jims sold online: they are designed for older vehicles and routinely cause hundreds of pounds of damage on modern cars.

What does it cost?

A professional car unlock typically costs £120 fixed across the UK — far cheaper than the recovery-and-dealer combination, and usually faster.