Discovering that someone has deliberately keyed your car can be both frustrating and upsetting. Keying is when someone scratches the bodywork of your vehicle using a key or another sharp object. Unlike accidental scratches, deliberate damage can feel personal, leaving you wondering if you inadvertently upset someone.
Deliberate scratches are, in fact, the most common type of intentional car damage in the UK, accounting for 41% of all vandalism offences. While this may feel overwhelming, it’s important to stay calm and understand your options. Experiencing keying can be emotionally taxing, but understanding the right steps to take can help reduce stress and prevent further issues. By knowing your options, you can respond quickly and protect your vehicle’s appearance and value.
In this blog, we will cover what steps to take immediately, repair options, preventative measures, legal actions, and additional tips to protect your car.
Since keying a car is an act of vandalism, the ball is in your court regarding whether you wish to contact the police or not. If you do wish to contact the police, you can call the 101 non-emergency number. Even if nothing comes of the case, it’s worth noting on a record in case it happens to you again, or if somebody in your area also gets keyed. The police will then provide you with a crime reference number from which you can make an insurance claim.
Some car insurance policies will cover vandalism, while others will not. You will have to get in touch with your insurance provider to find out the verdict. If your insurance provider does protect you against vandalism, you will then have to decide whether you wish to take the insurance or not. You will need to consider how bad the damage is, how much the value of your car is affected by appearance and how much excess you will have to fork out. If your excess costs are more than the repair costs, making a claim will not benefit you.
It’s also important to document the damage thoroughly. Take clear photos from multiple angles, note the date, time, and location, and keep all evidence safe. This documentation is helpful for both insurance claims and any legal action you may choose to pursue.
If you have some DIY skills up your sleeve, it might be worth seeing if you can repair the damage yourself. Depending on how deep the scratches are, you may be able to buff them out using a DIY scratch repair kit. Bear in mind that DIY doesn’t come without risks, if you want a sleek finish, it’s best to get the professionals in like Scuff Doc.
A good way to know whether to get the professionals in is by looking at whether the metal is showing behind the paint. If you can see the metal, it’s probably not worth doing it yourself. Deep scratches can leave the metal exposed and more prone to rust and corrosion, meaning it’s best if someone takes a look at it straight away. Paintwork can be expensive, but this might be covered by your insurance.
Professional repairs can range in cost depending on severity. Minor scratches can start around £50–£300, while deeper scratches or full panel repainting may cost £800–£1500+. In some cases, combining minor scratches with alloy wheel refurbishment or other paintwork repairs can be a cost-effective solution.
DIY repair kits are best for superficial scratches only. If the metal is exposed, or if the scratch is extensive, professional intervention is necessary to prevent long-term damage and maintain the car’s resale value.
It’s natural to be worried if someone keys your car, but there are a few tips and tricks to make sure that it doesn’t happen again:
- If you have a garage, keep your car locked away.
- Park somewhere busy and well lit.
- Make sure that your car has an alarm.
- Leave plenty of space between your car and others as then the vandal has less chance to hide
- If your car is parked just outside your home, install security cameras that you can control through your phone.
Additional preventative measures can help protect your car from future keying incidents. Using a high-quality car cover, especially overnight, makes it more difficult for vandals to target your vehicle. Installing motion-sensor lights in driveways or parking areas can further deter unwanted attention.
Being involved in a neighborhood watch or alerting local community groups about suspicious activity adds an extra layer of vigilance. Finally, regularly checking and maintaining alarms or immobilisers ensures they remain effective in preventing tampering.
You can press charges, but it all depends on whether you know who the person is who did it. If your car was parked in a busy area, go back to the location in which the vandalism took place and see if there are any security cameras. If you do spot any, there is usually an ID number on the camera, you will then be able to call the council or business number if they have footage of the crime. Alternatively, some councils have maps which show where security cameras are which you can find on your council’s website.
Other steps to take if you want to pursue legal action:
- Gather witness statements if anyone saw the act.
- Keep a timeline of the incident, including photos and dates, for evidence.
- Contact your insurance provider with all gathered evidence.
- Consider civil action if the identity of the vandal is known, as you may be able to recover repair costs.
Even if the perpetrator cannot be identified, having a police report is valuable for insurance purposes and can help authorities monitor repeated vandalism in the area.
Dealing with keyed damage can be stressful, but taking prompt and professional action is the key to preserving your car’s appearance, value, and safety.
Scuff Doc in Nottingham provides expert repair services, from scratch and panel repairs to alloy wheel refurbishment, ensuring your vehicle looks as good as new. By addressing damage quickly, implementing preventative measures, and using professional services, you can reduce the risk of recurring incidents and maintain your car in top condition. Protecting your car doesn’t just restore its look—it safeguards your investment for the long term.
Thank you for reading our blog ‘what to do if someone keys your car’. If you would like to repair scratches on your car, get in touch with Scuff Doc today.
