We've all done it, locked our vehicle only to realise that we have left our keys in the ignition. So should you call a locksmith or have a go yourself?
Anything to do with vehicles, car key programming, car key cutting and duplication etc requires a specialist automotive locksmith or vehicle locksmith, you can't call a standard commercial or domestic locksmith because they simply wont have the knowledge or the specialist equipment to work on vehicles.
If you find yourself locked out of you home or office and you then search for an emergency 24 hour locksmith - Thank God for the invention of the Smartphone - you'll typically see pages and pages of results, whereas if you search for an automotive locksmith you'll have fewer engineers to choose from, but why is this?
The locksmith industry - like many industries - is completely unregulated meaning than anyone can set themselves up as an emergency locksmith and start touting for work regardless of their skill and training, some amateur locksmiths don't do any training at all, they'll simply watch a few Youtube videos on how to drill out a lock whilst others attend what people in the industry call " crash courses". Crash courses are run by private companies and typically run for between 1 and 3 days.
We are not saying that there aren't any skilled domestic/commercial locksmiths out there with the ability to pick locks and gain non destructive entry its just that there are a lot of amateurs muddying the water so you need to be careful who you call.
There in an official, Gov't approved locksmith training course which is the Level 3 Diploma in Commercial Locksmiths & Property Security, this official course is run in approved colleges and take around 6 months to complete.
However, locksmiths who are only in the industry to pick up a few emergency callout jobs generally forgo the officially training and opt of youtube videos and/or one of the many crash courses being touted online.
So What About Automotive Locksmiths?
Automotive or Vehicle Locksmiths can't wing it in the same why that a domestic locksmith can. He/she needs to know the ins and outs of a vehicle security needs to be able to access a locked vehicle without cause any damage and needs the know-how and the specialist equipment to cut and programme car keys.
This is the reason that they are far fewer auto locksmiths than there are domestic and commercial locksmiths. Most Automotive Locksmiths will have taken the official Level 3 Diploma in Automotive Locksmiths & Vehicle Security because short amateur course simply can't teach you enough.
So how do locksmiths gain entry to a locked vehicle?
Each automotive locksmith will have his/her preferred technique for opening a vehicle
The most common ways an auto locksmiths opens locked cars are:
- Using Multi Car Opening Tools (MCOT)
- Using a Slim Jim
- Picking the wafers in the door lock
- Using a long reach tool
- Use the VIN number to cut a car key
The favoured entry method and the technique depend on the vehicle being opened, its age. Its manufacturer and varies from car to car. For example, there are lots of types of Slim Jim tools that are designed to open specific types of cars. And there are lots of more general tools that can be used across a range of vehicles to gain none destructive access.
Gaining access to a locked vehicle, especially a modern one is a skill and you should never try to gain access yourself as you may damage your vehicle and void its warranty.
Always find your local automotive locksmith by either searching google or by visiting a trustworthy directory of locksmiths such as Smart Locksmiths
Find an automotive locksmith in Greater Manchester
Astley, Atherton, Blackrod, Bolton, Bromley Cross, Farnworth, Hindley, Hindley Green, Horwich, Leigh, Little Hulton, Over Hulton, Standish, Swinton, Tyldesley, Walkden, Warrington, Westhoughton, Wigan, Worsley
