Few things are as frustrating as walking back to your car and finding a long scratch along the side. Keying is deliberate damage, which makes it feel worse than an accidental scuff. The good news is that key scratches can usually be repaired very well, often without respraying whole panels.
What to do first
- Take photos of the damage and the location, including any nearby cameras or landmarks.
- Report it to the police. Vandalism is a crime. You can report it online or by calling 101, and you'll get a crime reference number, which your insurer may ask for.
- Check for footage. If you have a dashcam with a parking mode, save the recording. Nearby businesses or neighbours may have CCTV.
- Get a repair quote before deciding whether to claim.
Should you claim on your insurance?
Vandalism is often covered by comprehensive policies, but there are things to weigh up. You'll usually pay an excess, and a claim may affect your no claims discount, depending on your policy. For key scratches along one or two panels, a SMART repair can sometimes cost less than, or close to, your excess. Get a quote first, then check your policy, so you can make an informed choice.
How bad is the damage?
Try the fingernail test described in our scratch repair guide. Keys are sharp, so most key scratches go through the clear coat into the colour, and some go down to primer or bare metal. Light marks may polish out, but deeper scratches need filling and refinishing.
How key scratches are repaired
- Each scratch is cleaned and assessed along its full length
- Shallow sections are refined and polished
- Deeper sections are filled, levelled and primed
- Colour matched paint is applied and blended into the surrounding area
- The area is lacquered, cured and polished to match
When a scratch runs across several panels, each panel is repaired and blended in turn. Bigger jobs may take longer, or be finished in our workshop in Balby, but most keyed cars can still be repaired far more quickly than a traditional respray.
Protecting your car afterwards
- Park in well lit, busy areas or within view of cameras where you can
- Consider a dashcam with a parking mode
- Get the damage repaired, so a scratch that's gone through to metal doesn't start to rust
Frequently asked questions
Can a key scratch be completely removed?
Light key marks may polish out. Deeper scratches are filled, colour matched and blended, and when done properly the repair should be very hard to spot.
Is it cheaper to repair a keyed car privately than to claim?
It can be, depending on your excess, your policy and how many panels are affected. Get a repair quote first, then compare it with your policy terms.
How long does it take to repair a keyed car?
A scratch on one or two panels can often be repaired in a day. Damage across several panels takes longer. We'll give you a timescale with your quote.
