Help - only set of keys locked in Car

full-time-mum

My mum has just managed to lock her only set of keys in her car (Toyota Starlet).

Not sure of regestration year but it doesn't have central locking just the old fashioned pop up buttons.

Any suggestions on who might be able to get in for her?

She is ringing breakdown company to see if they have any suggestions.
I guess the Toyota garage might help but probably charge an arm and a leg.

Thanks

opinions4u

The breakdown company will get them out for her.

pstuart

opinions4u wrote: »

The breakdown company will get them out for her.

We had this on an old Mercedes the other year - the breakdown company would only suggest a window being broken.

Had noughty thoughts of getting a friendly windscreen company to replace the 'broken windscreen' - depending on your insurance cover - but then phoned the main dealer who asked us to present ourselves with the suitable ID and owners paperwork and low and behold within six days new keys.

The damage was less than £10 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am speaking historically now but don't depend on the RAC etc. - try the Dealers first because you are not the first to do this and certainly not the last!

colino

In an older car like this a tug of the drivers door frame to give a gap and a bit of fishing with either a straightened coat hanger or a loop of fine cord on the button to pop it up usually works. After you've got in, remember to do a bit of gentle rebending of the frame to stop draughts!
If this absolutely fails, and you don't want to lever the tailgate open, pick the smallest window (I think older Starlets had quarterlights), smash this and get the keys that way. You should be able to replace the side glass from a scrappy for a fiver.

Bannik

The breakdown company will normally prise the door open enough to get an inflatable device between the doorframe and car which will then make a gap big enough to slide a tool in to open the door. It's worryingly easy to do, depending on the design of the latch inside the car. It's unlikely to damage the door but if it does, the cost of repair isn't down to the breakdown company.

I had a brand new peugeot years ago that dropped it's own central locking when I stepped out of the car with the engine running while 50 miles from the spare set (don't know about nowadays but they were renowned for electrical faults). It took the RAC guy about 1 minute to open it with no damage.

Bowling_4_Gold

I would also suggest gently bending the door frame open and 'fishing' for the door latch to let yourself in. Someone in my family once had someone attempt to bend our door open (presumably to take the car) on a Fiat Siecento, and it was just a case of bending the door back into place to fix!

colino

In an older car like this a tug of the drivers door frame to give a gap and a bit of fishing with either a straightened coat hanger or a loop of fine cord on the button to pop it up usually works. After you've got in, remember to do a bit of gentle rebending of the frame to stop draughts!
If this absolutely fails, and you don't want to lever the tailgate open, pick the smallest window (I think older Starlets had quarterlights), smash this and get the keys that way. You should be able to replace the side glass from a scrappy for a fiver.

daveyjp

The plastic strips uses to wrap around boxes of photocopier paper etc are excellent as it can be folded and fitted between door and frame then looped over the handle.

LilacPixie

Can she get something between window and door frame to loop on the botton and pull it up?

daveyjp

The plastic strips uses to wrap around boxes of photocopier paper etc are excellent as it can be folded and fitted between door and frame then looped over the handle.

olly300

When I locked my keys in my car years ago - it was an old one - the RAC guy used a straightened coat hanger to wedge the lock up and open the door. The only damage was a very small dent in the rubber seal where the coat hanger was pushed through.

So I suggest OP if your mum, you or a helpful neighbour hasn't done anything like this before get the RAC, AA or whatever breakdown company to come and do it as they have done things like this plenty of time.