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

moonrakerz wrote: »

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.

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

vikingaero

KeithP wrote: »

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

vikingaero wrote: »

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

BenL wrote: »

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