someone drilled a hole in my car door

[paulboy83]

Some lovely person has drilled a hole below the lock of my car, i've reported it to the police and called my insurance company yesterday to see what they say, however it dawns on me that perhaps it will work out cheaper in the long run to pay to get it fixed myself. Does anyone know where I should start, or who are the best people to go to for that kind of thing? If i decide not to make a claim on my insurance does the fact i have told them about it affect my no claims bonus?

Thanks for any help, i'm a bit clueless about what to do from here!

[anewman]

Has the lock or door open mechanism been damaged? (i.e. can you unlock, open the door, and lock it again). If so, would a bodge job of some waxoyl around the drill hole, aluminium tape over the hole and some primer and paint be acceptable?

Also, consider getting an alarm fitted. Although if they're brazen enough to stand next to your car drilling a hole which must have made quite a noise, I must presume they'd ignore an alarm too.

This thief seems quite unprofessional to me.

[moonrakerz]

I would just prime the inside of the hole to stop it rusting and get a small solid rubber grommet to push into the hole.

[paulboy83]

The lock still works! They were pretty rubbish as they didnt even seem to have a rummage around my car, not that I leave anything worth stealing in there anyway.

I am a total clueless amateur when it comes to fixing car things. I don't want to fix it now only to have to do it again after some time, so i'll spend a bit more to do it if it is a permanant fix.

[KeithP]

I would just prime the inside of the hole to stop it rusting and get a small solid rubber grommet to push into the hole.

Not so sure that's a good idea Moonrakerz.

Seems to me that maybe the hole was drilled to access the lock mechanism to break into the car.
Any thief coming across this car, with a hole already drilled in the door by the lock, would find half his job already done for him. :D

Go to a bodyshop and get the door repaired properly is my suggestion.

[vikingaero]

Go to a bodyshop and get the door repaired properly is my suggestion.

Depends on the car. Brand new and nearly new I'd agree with you. If it's a banger or 5+ years old then do a fill n' bodge.

[KeithP]

Depends on the car. Brand new and nearly new I'd agree with you. If it's a banger or 5+ years old then do a fill n' bodge.

You are absolutely right Vikingaero.

The OP must decide.

[BenL]

Was this on the passenger side?

If your car has central locking it might be worth getting the key hole removed and filled sprayed at the same time.

Reduce the risk for the future.

A lot of newer cars only have a place for the key on the drivers side.

My Astra only has this and no visible lock on passenger side or boot.

[Inactive]

My Astra only has this and no visible lock on passenger side or boot.

But that isn't for security reasons, that is cheapskate Vauxhall saving a few pennies.

[hartcjhart]

with a small brush put some primer paint on any bare metal,then purchase a'lock scratch protector' sold in most good car spares places,its basically a stick on thingy that goes around the keyhole and down a bit.

looks like an arched window but smaller,the good thing is they come in many colours and will cover the hole nicely

[Iamthesmartestmanalive]

One thing to consider is that this will have an affect come renewal time even if you dont claim as you will need to disclose it as an accident now you have told them

Whether you claim or not

[manda1205]

what car is it?

most cars can be fitted with lock covers that cover damage and stop it happening again

its unlikely to be a drill hole, generally they would prise the door skin from round the lock then poke the bars to unlock the door

if its a big hole then maybe worth fixing but if its just little get a touch in pen and cover the bare metal so it dont go rusty

dont get into filling and painting you'll end up with a right !!!! up spoiling the whole door when you only started with a 5p size hole in the 1st place

all depends on the car, get us a pic of the damage tool

[anewman]

then purchase a'lock scratch protector' sold in most good car spares places

I've never seen any that look decent. They all seem to be multi-colour or have peculiar designs on them.

[hartcjhart]

agreed,although I have seen a few now and again that are just plain coloured

[Steve_xx]

One thing to consider is that this will have an affect come renewal time even if you dont claim as you will need to disclose it as an accident now you have told them

Whether you claim or not

It isn't an accident.

At renewal time you are asked if you have had any claims during the past 5 years. If you don't claim for it, then effectively you haven't had any claims. It should not affect your renewal premium.

[highguyuk]

A 306 by any chance?

[paulboy83]

Its a 2001 Punto, and it doesnt have central locking. The hole is about 1cm around (ish) I'm still waiting for the insurance lot to get back to me but I think i'll probably try and sort it out myself after your answers for me. I'll see if I can work out how to put a pic on here later on today and see if that helps!

Thanks for your help so far

[Nail_Lad]

Its a 2001 Punto, and it doesnt have central locking. The hole is about 1cm around (ish) I'm still waiting for the insurance lot to get back to me but I think i'll probably try and sort it out myself after your answers for me. I'll see if I can work out how to put a pic on here later on today and see if that helps!

Thanks for your help so far

In that case, do a google search for details on how to do your own filling. Get some filler, sand paper etc from Halfrauds and do the best job you can to fill the whole, then I'd get chipsaway out who will paint it and blend it in so you won't even notice its there. Assuming you did a good enough job with the filler!

[the_big_fact_hunt]

instead of body i would use a product called chemical metal, it sets much harder and is about the same price

[anewman]

instead of body i would use a product called chemical metal, it sets much harder and is about the same price

Last time I used something along those lines it set very quickly. If using I would advise a little practice at the temperature at which you intend to use it so you know and are used to how long it keeps pliable before it sets.

In general mix correct amounts as quickly and efficiently as possible and get it to it's pre-prepared destination as quickly as possible and smooth out as quickly as possible :)

[Haakon]

Another option is REVIVE! Ive seen some of Chipsaway work and the shine doesent last - whereas the Revive repair looks like the orininal factory finish- which is imperative if the damage is on the middle of a door!