You put your car keys in the boot while you unload the shopping and close it without thinking.
Or leave them in the ignition while you nip back inside for your phone.
A few seconds later, your car has locked itself, and you’re looking at your keys through the window. Calling an auto locksmith is the obvious next step, but the call will go a lot better if you know what you’ll be asked.
At Grays Locksmiths, we open locked cars across Nottingham and the surrounding areas at any hour, and we’ve noticed that the people who get back on the road fastest are the ones who can answer a handful of questions straight away. None of them are difficult and most of the answers are already in your pocket or on your phone.
This guide covers what we’ll ask for, why we ask and what will happen once you’ve hung up, so you know what to expect before you need us.
Why we ask for information before we arrive
When you call us to request an emergency auto locksmith, we’ll ask a few questions before we set off. They help us send the right person with the right equipment, because the way we open a ten-year-old hatchback won’t be the way we open a new SUV with keyless entry. The answers also let us give you an estimated arrival time and a clear price before we start.
There’s one more reason, and it’s about you. We need to be sure the car belongs to you, or that you have permission to be in it. That’s why we’ll ask for some details that might seem unusual at first, and why any reputable locksmith will do the same. More on that shortly.
Where are you?
The first thing we’ll ask is where you are. The more precise you can be, the quicker we can reach you. Give us the street name and postcode if you know it, or the name of the car park, shop or business if you don’t. If you’re somewhere that’s hard to describe, such as a country lane or a corner of a large retail park, a nearby landmark or a what3words location works well. Your phone’s maps app can usually give you a pin to read out.
We’re a mobile service, so we’ll come to you at home, at work or wherever you’ve ended up. If your car is in a multi-storey or private car park, tell us the level and bay number and let us know about any barriers, height restrictions or access codes. It’s also worth mentioning if the car is on a driveway or in a garage, as that can affect how we reach it. These small details can save our locksmiths a lot of driving around and phone calls once they arrive.
Your vehicle details
Next, we’ll ask about the vehicle itself. Have the make, model, approximate year and colour ready, along with the registration number. If you’re not sure of the year, the registration plate usually gives it away, and the V5C logbook or your insurance app will have everything else if you can get to it.
We ask because key and lock systems vary widely between manufacturers and ages of vehicle. An older car with a traditional lock is a very different job from a newer one with deadlocks, immobilisers or keyless entry. Knowing what we’re dealing with before we set off means our locksmith will arrive with the right tools.
Don’t worry if your car is older, less common or imported. We can work with virtually every make and model, and a few details are usually enough for us to know which method will work best.
It’s also useful to tell us whether it’s a car or a van, and whether it’s a company or lease vehicle rather than your own. That won’t stop us from helping, but it does change the paperwork we’ll ask to see, which we’ll cover next. If you drive a van for work, it’s worth having the fleet manager’s or registered keeper’s phone number to hand, because we may need to confirm that you’re allowed to be in the vehicle. A quick message to them first can save time.
Proving the car is yours
Before we open your car, we’ll ask you to show that it’s yours, or that you have the owner’s permission to be in it. It’s a standard part of the job and it protects you as much as anyone, because it stops a stranger from talking their way into your vehicle. It might feel like an unnecessary hurdle when you’re cold, late or fed up, but it’s the same reason a bank asks for ID before it hands over your money.
A driving licence or passport will do. We’ll also look for something that links you to the car, such as the V5C logbook, an insurance certificate or policy details on your phone, or a purchase agreement if you’ve recently bought it. Any of these can be shown on a screen, so there’s no need to run home for paperwork. If your documents are locked in the car, tell us when you ring and we’ll talk through what else might work, such as a utility bill that matches the address registered to the vehicle.
If the car isn’t yours, the process is a little different. Company cars, lease vehicles and cars borrowed from friends or family all need confirmation from the registered keeper or employer. A text, email or phone call from them is usually enough, which is why it helps to have their number ready.
Be wary of any locksmith who offers to open a car without asking you a single question. Someone who will open any car for anyone isn’t protecting you or your property. As MLA-approved Master Locksmiths, we carry out these checks every time and we’re happy to explain what we need and why.
What’s happened to your keys?
We’ll also ask what’s happened to your keys, because the answer might change how we can help. If they’re locked inside, tell us whether you can see them on a seat, in the ignition or in the boot. If they’ve snapped in a lock or ignition, let us know which, as extracting a broken key is a different job from opening a door. If they’re lost or stolen, we’ll talk through getting you into the car first and arranging a replacement afterwards.
It also helps to tell us whether you have a spare. If somebody can bring it to you, that may be the quickest and cheapest fix, and we’ll tell you so if it is.
Finally, mention anything unusual about the car’s behaviour. Central locking that has stopped responding, warning lights on the dash or a flat battery can all be behind a lockout. Knowing about them will help us choose the right approach. Nobody will judge how it happened, because we’ve heard every version and it happens to all sorts of people.
Anything that makes it urgent
If there’s a child or a pet inside the car, tell us in your first sentence. We’ll treat it as an emergency and get to you as fast as we can. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 straight away and ring us as well.
Extreme heat or freezing weather, being on your own after dark, travelling with someone vulnerable, or a time-critical appointment can all affect how we prioritise your call, so tell us about them. We’ll be honest about arrival times, so you can decide whether to wait or arrange a lift.
While you wait, stay somewhere safe. If you’re alone at night, a well-lit public place such as a petrol station or shop is better than standing by the car. You can always ring us back to update your location.
What happens after you’ve called?
Once we have your details, we’ll confirm the price before we start work, so there are no surprises at the roadside. We cover Nottingham and the surrounding areas around the clock, every day of the year. Our locksmiths come in marked Grays Locksmiths vehicles and carry ID. You’re welcome to ask to see it.
At the car, we’ll check your proof of ownership, then get to work using specialist tools and non-destructive techniques. That means no damage to your paintwork, door seals or locks, so the car is as you left it. We’d never suggest drilling a lock when a gentler method will do.
Once you’re in, tell the locksmith if you’d like a spare or replacement key and we’ll talk you through the options there and then.
Get a spare key so it doesn’t happen again
If a lockout has you thinking about a spare, we can help with that, too. At our security centre in Nottingham, we cut and programme replacement and spare keys for cars and vans, including transponder keys, remote fobs and flip keys, usually in around an hour. Because our mobile locksmiths come to you, there’s no need to tow the car anywhere, so the cost is often much lower than a dealership would charge. Keep the spare somewhere safe, away from your main set and not in the car.
How can Grays Locksmiths help?
Giving us your location, your vehicle details, proof of ownership and a quick explanation of what’s happened is all it takes to get things moving. Having them ready before you call will make the whole process quicker for both of us.
We’re available 24/7 across Nottingham and the surrounding areas for emergency car opening, using methods that leave your vehicle undamaged. Call us on 0115 942 2315 and we’ll talk you through everything. As MLA-approved Master Locksmiths, we’re happy to show you our credentials whenever you ask.