Car broken into, lock damaged..need advice

Craazysteve

Hey guys, just looking for some advice here. My car was broken into the other day by forcing the drivers door lock (it's a 2nd gen facelifted focus), thankfully there wasn't much in the car worth stealing. I Initially thought no damage had been done as I locked the car (with key fob button) when I got it home and all seemed fine. There's no visible damage. My OH has the other keys, without the buttons, and she found out that her key no longer locks the car due to whatever damage has been done (it did unlock it however). Just wondering if I should just get a second key-fob style key or get the lock(s)? replaced. I know those sort of keys are expensive enough but I'm guessing replacing/fixing the lock will cost more?

Also I presume this will need to be brought to a main dealer?

(I'm a new driver and this is my first car)

listermint

AFAIK if you replace the door locks you will also have to replace the ignition barrell to keep them consistent otherwise youll end up with 2 keys.

Id suggest getting the keyfob as a cheaper option maybe something like autokey.ie could assist.

Check your insurance though you should be covered for this.

Craazysteve

Craazysteve wrote: »

............My OH has the other keys, without the buttons, and she found out that her key no longer locks the car due to whatever damage has been done.............

Can she lock it from the passenger side?
Can it be locked without the key, button down manually?

juice1304

If you go to a locksmith he will be able to replace the lock with one with the same wafers as the other ones.

martinr5232

Craazysteve wrote: »

Hey guys, just looking for some advice here. My car was broken into the other day by forcing the drivers door lock (it's a 2nd gen facelifted focus), thankfully there wasn't much in the car worth stealing. I Initially thought no damage had been done as I locked the car (with key fob button) when I got it home and all seemed fine. There's no visible damage. My OH has the other keys, without the buttons, and she found out that her key no longer locks the car due to whatever damage has been done (it did unlock it however). Just wondering if I should just get a second key-fob style key or get the lock(s)? replaced. I know those sort of keys are expensive enough but I'm guessing replacing/fixing the lock will cost more?

Also I presume this will need to be brought to a main dealer?

(I'm a new driver and this is my first car)

Those door barrells come as a kit that can be built to suit any key just drop into any dealer and they will code it to your own key.

Its an easy enough job takes about twenty minutes to do.

Craazysteve

Yeah I thought of the fact that replacing the door locks would mean replacing the ignition and also the bonnet opens by the key too, so pretty sure that'll work out costly. There's no keyhole on the passenger side so she can't lock it that way, I haven't tried locking the door from the inside before closing it, I'll give that a go now as that would help 'til we get it sorted.

Craazysteve

Ah that's good to hear Martinr5232, that sounds like it could be my best bet! appreciated!

martinr5232

Craazysteve wrote: »

Ah that's good to hear Martinr5232, that sounds like it could be my best bet! appreciated!

No problem if your around dublin ill do it for you.

johnayo

Its best to sort out the broken lock issue rather getting another remote key, as in the event of a flat battery, you would have issues getting into the car.

Craazysteve

Just rang the local Ford dealer garage, quoted €140 for barrel to be replaced and fitted..does that sound right?

martinr5232

Craazysteve wrote: »

Just rang the local Ford dealer garage, quoted €140 for barrel to be replaced and fitted..does that sound right?

The barrell kit is fifty quid and about half an hours labour.

Sounds a bit steep to me.

Craazysteve

Right, that does seem a bit steep so! Where would you recommend I get it fixed?

martinr5232

Craazysteve wrote: »

Right, that does seem a bit steep so! Where would you recommend I get it fixed?

Where are you ??

Craazysteve

I'm in Dublin 7

cplwhisper

if car broken into, why isnt your insurance sorting repairs and costs of same

Craazysteve

cplwhisper wrote: »

if car broken into, why isnt your insurance sorting repairs and costs of same

Well at the time I didn't think there was any damage done or anything valuable missing so didn't report it. Now that it's gonna cost €140 to fix, that still seems not worth losing no-claims bonus over.

Stheno

Craazysteve wrote: »

Well at the time I didn't think there was any damage done or anything valuable missing so didn't report it. Now that it's gonna cost €140 to fix, that still seems not worth losing no-claims bonus over.

Your excess is probably more than the cost of the repair to be honest, absolutely nothing to be gained by claiming.

Craazysteve

Stheno wrote: »

Your excess is probably more than the cost of the repair to be honest, absolutely nothing to be gained by claiming.

Exactly, just have to suck it up and fork over the cash! :mad: