Keyed Car - Advice and next steps

Returning to your car only to realise that it's been 'keyed' is a truly gut-wrenching experience. Keying a car is using a sharp object, typically a key, to scratch and damage a car’s exterior layer.

It raises more questions than answers, there’s damage to attend to and you need to work out if the damage was deliberate. We'll explain what to do if your car is keyed.

car door with a key scratch mark

First, report the incident. You should inform the police and contact your insurer.

You'll need to do this before you think about repairing your vehicle and taking steps to prevent it from happening again.

Immediate steps to take if your car is keyed

As mentioned, reporting to the police and your car insurer that your car has been keyed should be the immediate priority.

The reason you should contact the police before your insurer is that you'll need a crime reference number before progressing with any type of claim.

Before making a claim you should assess the extent of the damage. It could be a minor scratch as opposed to deep marks. It might also be worth requesting quotes to repair the damage.

It could be that the cost of a professional repairing your car is less than the total excess you would pay towards a car insurance claim. Whatever you decide to do, it's best to assess all options first before making a decision.

Having your car keyed can be a worrying experience. If you're struggling, chat to your friends and family. Or call a mental health helpline

Yes. Keying a car is an act of vandalism, so you should look to contact the police. Exactly who you should contact depends on the situation at hand. If there is no immediate danger, and no sign of the offender, consider using the non-emergency contact number (101). If the situation is ongoing, dial 999.

Will the police do anything about a keyed car

Vandalism is a crime, so the police should investigate the matter. Due to the nature of the crime, the police are more likely to catch the perpetrator if you've got footage. That's why a dash camera can be extremely useful.

If you or a neighbour, for example, doesn't have any footage of the incident, you could look for any CCTV cameras in the area. The camera could display an ID number that corresponds to its management by a local authority or private company.

You could consider requesting footage, but depending on who manages the CCTV camera, you may need to submit information, such as:

  • Your name and provide a form of identification
  • The date, time and place of when the incident occurred
  • The make, model and registration of the keyed car

Again, this largely depends on if the police can identify the perpetrator. If you don't have any evidence, it's unlikely you'll be able to press charges. However, if you have incriminating footage, you may be able to press charges against the individual(s) for keying your car.

Punishment for keying a car in the UK

There are several factors that determine the punishment, but principally it's the age of the offender and the extent of the damage.

Keying a car is a criminal offence. The criminal might face a fine or a prison sentence.

The good news is that in some instances you can repair the damage yourself. But this is almost solely dependent on the extent of the damage. You might be able to tackle light scratches with a scratch-removing product, but deeper marks may require professional help.

If you're using a scratch-remover, follow the application steps advised by the product. These often say:

  1. Clean the area to prevent further debris or dirt affecting the scratch - potentially making it worse.
  2. Check the manufacturer guidelines whether a buffing tool or pad is required. As a general rule, a dab of scratch remover the size of a 2 pence piece is needed.
  3. Apply the scratch-remover into the affected area, it's important you use the same motion throughout, to ensure an even covering.
  4. Once applied, clean away any excess debris with a microfibre cloth - it could affect your car's paintwork.

For deeper marks, or a like-new repair, you could consider requesting a quote from a professional. It might be a pricier option, so you'll need to weigh up your options.

If you do in fact decide to claim through your car insurance policy, some – if not all – of the repair cost may be covered. But check with your insurer first if you're covered for deliberate key damage repairs.

There are a number of options that can reduce the risk of your car being keyed, including:

  • Parking your car in a secure spot, particularly if you have a garage. If not, Park somewhere busy and well-lit.
  • Consider investing in a video-capture device. This could be CCTV, a smart doorbell, or a dash cam.
  • Ensure you leave enough space between your car and other parked vehicles. Doing this gives potential vandals less cover.

Unfortunately, key damage can affect the value of a car. The extent is determined by the damage to the car, and the steps you take to repair the affected area.

You can repair light scratches - it's also more likely it won't affect the appearance of the paintwork much. Deeper marks are not only tougher to restore, they also increase the risk of rust.

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