How Often Do Cars Get Key'd?

JustJames111 on 19/07/2019 - 13:54
Last edited 19/07/2019 - 13:55

I'm thinking about buying my mom a nice car for her birthday (Tesla in mind) as she's never had a nice car and lives a very modest lifestyle.

When I told my friends this they told me it would be a bad idea as Teslas are often key'd by strangers.

She lives west of Sydney around Ashfield/Burwood/Campsie/Strathfield area.

I wanted to open up to the general public to let me know how often this occurs?

Just in theory if I were to buy my mom a nice car and it gets keyed I would feel bad as it inadvertently was my fault for choosing that car.

Poll Options

  • 34
    Only if it's a nice car
  • 11
    Quite often
  • 280
    Not often
  • 37
    It depends
Automotive Tesla Inc

Comments

  • Fergy1987 on 19/07/2019 - 13:58
    +39

    Depends how much your ex hates you

    • CharityCase on 21/07/2019 - 12:11
      +6

      Please tell us your stories :)

      • Mallard on 22/07/2019 - 16:34
        +1

        A friend of ours separated from her husband but they lived in the same house as it was amicable and they had a child. Sydney south east. She got a new bloke who was a nutter and after she split up with him he keyed her car and her ex husband's car with SLUT and BITCH in letters.

        That my true story. But the original comment is valid.

        Imagine divorcing a woman and having her new boyfriend key your car because she broke up with him.

        "When will the trouble ever end?"

        • THICKnSLOW on 22/07/2019 - 16:55
          -1

          @Mallard - Why did your friend date a nutter? Big jalopy, big wallet? What was the attraction?

        • swings on 23/07/2019 - 22:12

          That's quite a story, the amicable split was tested hard by this situation I'd guess.

      • Euphemistic on 22/07/2019 - 18:04
        +1

        Saw a small runabout at the tip once. Looked like a block splitter or axe had been put through the hull about a hundred times, no more than half a metre between holes. The trailer tyres were done and the outboard all smashed up.

        Story was that it was owned by someone who was caught cheating.

  • altomic on 19/07/2019 - 13:58
    +73

    never had my car keyed - but I have never had so many door dings. my current car (owned for 5 years) has more than the sum of all previous cars (25 years)

    people are inconsiderate assholes

    • resisting the urge on 22/07/2019 - 11:38
      +2

      People used to prefer cars with rubber strips, and even bought little stick on door protector as accessories.

      Now noone cares, they think the car will go to landfill in under 5 years anyhow, so even open doors in car parks without a care in the world.

      More hatcbacks and SUVs with protruding sharp creases on the far end of the door, 'right where it does its worst' too.

      Combined all that with inadequate of shopping centre parking spaces and the number of times people now park in one (instead of visiting high street shops where they park in lines, not rows) and I guess you have root cause for all those little bastard bangs.

  • Iggemo on 19/07/2019 - 14:03
    +9

    "keyed"

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/07/2019 - 14:07
    +14

    How Often Do Cars Get Key'd?

    Somewhere in between more than once but less than a million times.

    • daleyboy79 on 23/07/2019 - 14:58
      +2

      incorrect … 20yrs of driving and im in the less than once category.
      My experience has been that people who tend to always complain about their cars getting keyed are terrible at parking, and also seem to be one of those people that always has some sort of drama happening in their lives

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/07/2019 - 14:14
      +12

      Who knows. Someone could.

      Last weekend a kid walked down my street hitting car doors with his cricket bat as he passed. Yelled and he ran. Lucky mine was in the garage.

      • Kangal on 19/07/2019 - 16:22
        +3

        Maybe she travels a lot, and hates public transport. And if OP has bought her a house, and a solar panel, and a Home Battery.

        …basically free energy and transport for her, though hundreds of thousands of dollars cost to OP.

      • Baysew on 19/07/2019 - 19:39
        +15

        Your car or cricket bat?

      • Never Pay RRP on 20/07/2019 - 11:14
        +7

        You should have filmed it and reported him. Jerks like that need a proper lesson

    • plmko on 19/07/2019 - 17:10
      +12

      You must live a sheltered life, ABSOLUTELY people walk around keying cars. Happened to my old bomb 2 times along with several cars in the same car park.

      • gimme on 20/07/2019 - 19:49
        +14

        30 years noone has ever keyed my car living in 3 states. I wouldn't attribute it to.a sheltered life. I have no idea where some of you live or how many people you piss off.

        • Sxio on 22/07/2019 - 13:48

          My car hasn't been keyed but I absolutely know people's who have.

        • macrocephalic on 22/07/2019 - 16:59

          Some people are just unlucky. I rode my old motorcycle to work and parked it on the footpath every day for 5 years. The only thing that ever happened was someone one once knocked it over and broke the clutch lever (probably a genuine accident, but they just stood it back up without leaving a note). I sold that bike to a friend in Melbourne and in just over a year it's been stolen and trashed (then recovered), and just the other day it was trashed again (someone ripped off all the plastics and the number plate). Both times it was parked in his driveway.

    • HighAndDry on 19/07/2019 - 17:29
      +13

      I second the "Why a Tesla?" question but for different reasons. Teslas are still quite niche - OP is going to be acting as tech support for a long while, plus the mum's going to have to learn how to charge it, finding charging stations, etc. If she's technologically minded it wouldn't be an issue, but if she's anything like my mum, that Tesla's going to just sit in the garage for a long time because she won't know how to use it, will be too worried about doing something wrong when using it, and will feel bad about asking OP…

    • gromit on 21/07/2019 - 07:58
      +1

      yes they do. You have been blessed it hasn't happened to you but I can assure you some people do walk around keying cars, sometimes kids that get a kick out of it or just aholes. My wife was in tears after she went to pay for rego for her new mini and came back to a long key mark down the side of her car and she could see about 20 cars had been done, my previous car a VW R36 was also keyed while in a car park. Partly bad luck, where you park or simply bad parts of town.

    • triplenet on 23/07/2019 - 19:59

      because it's his mum? if he can afford to give her a nice present why not. it's his parent. I can't believe you said something like a waste of money when giving something special to parent. I am not sure if you have your own kids or not but if you do have or in the future, if they ever wish to give you something special just keep telling them it's a waste of money.

  • rompastompa on 19/07/2019 - 14:16
    +60

    My car hasn't been keyed since I got keyless entry.

    • idonotknowwhy on 20/07/2019 - 20:47
      +4

      I guess you haven't keyed any cars since then

      • resisting the urge on 22/07/2019 - 11:40
        +1

        Once everyone has Keyless entry, less keying?

  • Room Temperature on 19/07/2019 - 14:50
    +17

    It obviously depends on the individual keying the car. If you're implying that people target 'Luxury' cars, I would think a Tesla would be at less of a risk than a Mercedes for example.
    Also, if your mum doesn't necessarily need a new car right now, pay for a holiday or help with her mortgage instead of getting her a flashy car, it might be a good gift in your eyes, but your mum might not associate the same worth to a Tesla as you do.

    • Room Temperature on 22/07/2019 - 10:12
      +8

      Also OP, just a word of advice.

      It's a good idea to reply to people's comments here as they are legitimately trying to help you with a question you have asked.

  • DreadPirateRoberts on 19/07/2019 - 16:01
    +16

    At least the Tesla's Sentry mode will catch anyone keying the car. There's been a few cases in the States of cops finding the key-ers from sentry mode footage

  • Tightpocket on 19/07/2019 - 16:07
    +10

    For the areas you mentioned, you don't wanna buy anything fancier than Corolla. its a packed area, very hard to find parking combined with people who just can't park properly.

    • Okayy on 20/07/2019 - 20:18

      Do you live there?

      • Chumly on 21/07/2019 - 08:25
        +7

        I live in the area and trust me people cannot park.

        Also insurance premiums are very high if you live in the area due to people making a lot of claims. ie. There are a high percentage of hopeless drivers. Source? Two insurers told me and my own eyes seeing indiscretions every day.

        • mousie on 22/07/2019 - 19:06

          After parking at pretty much every shopping district in the state, these are not bad areas to park in..

          Northridge, mosman.. for the lols

    • abb on 22/07/2019 - 09:59
      +1

      Plenty of nice cars in that area. Never seen any with vandal damage.

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/07/2019 - 16:31
    +3

    Will you be upset if she doesn't look after it? Is a fancy car something she'd like or would she prefer a cruise, or trip oversea or just a Corolla that she doesn't have to worry about?

  • Euphemistic on 19/07/2019 - 17:12
    -1

    Meh. It’s just a car. Don’t know anyone who has had it done. Have seen a car or two in my lifetime that have been keyed. I suspect the vast majority of cases are not random, but a form of revenge.

    if you are that worried about it don’t buy a flash one, or don’t park it in public places.

    Make up your own mind by checking out he flash cars locally and see how many have damage.

  • crentist on 19/07/2019 - 17:16
    +6

    What are you hoping she will get out of the car?
    If it's a taste of luxury, Tesla may not be the best way to go

    They are very nice and all, but not exactly luxury cars. They seem a little plain inside, and a lot of the benefit is that they are "nice" electric cars. But if she doesn't care about the drivetrain, it might not feel that special abd will just attract attention.
    On the other hand, an actual "luxury" car is a bit more plush, silent, and comfortable inside. A used Lexus or something might be a noticeable class above what she is used to, inside and out.

    I'll mention that I've never driven a Tesla, but recently almost rented one before deciding on an older S-class instead, because of the luxury factor (and I figured I'd end up in a Tesla soon enough). Very nice car, feels like floating above the road. Chews petrol though.

      • crentist on 20/07/2019 - 16:43
        +3

        I’ve sat in a model S, just not driven one. Was in a showroom just last weekend. And weighed them up very heavily when deciding which to rent. Not saying they aren’t very nice, but there are plenty of very nice cars around.
        The question was more about why OP was going straight to a Tesla over any other very nice car, and if it’s because they assumed that it must also be the most luxurious because of all the attention it gets.

        Also don’t call me a keyboard warrior while missing the point. It just makes you seem needlessly combative. Ironically, like an absolute keyboard warrior trying to pick an e-fight.

        • salekhard on 20/07/2019 - 18:03
          +3

          I would agree with crentist in terms of Tesla's not being luxury. I was in an uber Tesla not that long ago, and it was pretty spartan inside.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2019 - 21:01
          -1

          You're not going to find many cars for the price of a Model S that have alcantara headliner, stitched surfaces, on all parts you touch (doors, dash, arm rests). The Model S shares it's switch gear (windows, stalks etc) and wood with the E class. It has an all glass roof and superior infotainment. An E class is certainly more spartan for the same money.

          • brendanm on 21/07/2019 - 10:07
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Anyone who buys a Tesla model s and not a Porsche GT2 rs is an absolute pleb.

          • sockpuppy on 21/07/2019 - 11:52
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: I tested the E class and Model S. The Model-S which I purchased was IMHO a better car by far, but if it was just based on the interior I found the E-Class to be slightly superior and better executed in design and finish.

        • mousie on 22/07/2019 - 19:14
          -2

          I've driven the p90D a while back. Good fun. These knobs that complain about plastic think they are Jeremy Clarkson.

  • crentist on 19/07/2019 - 17:18
    +1

    What kind of cars has she had before?
    I always go for toyotas, but a few years ago the gf got a VW Golf, and even that was noticeably a step above.

    • ribbonsofnight on 20/07/2019 - 13:21
      +11

      Are the bills from mechanics two steps above?

      • crentist on 21/07/2019 - 01:52
        +10

        you enter a whole different class of mechanical issues.

  • shaybisc on 19/07/2019 - 19:47
    +1

    Has your mother ever expressed any interest in a Tesla or are you going to surprise her?

  • juzza87 on 19/07/2019 - 19:54
    +17

    Hey it's me, your mom. Actually why are you using American spelling?

    If your mum parks well in the lines there shouldn't be an issue.

  • lainey13 on 20/07/2019 - 00:21
    +2

    Ah, family members and the presents they give. That's another post right there.

  • crashloaded on 20/07/2019 - 07:54
    -1

    I'd like to hijack this thread to find out the exact date of my death since obviously ozb can tell the future.

  • brendanm on 20/07/2019 - 10:34
    +14

    Mum

  • Hirolol on 20/07/2019 - 10:48

    My mate got a brand new VW and it got keyd in a car park.
    They had dash cam and the culprit looked like he may have been from a low socioeconomic household.

    • Never Pay RRP on 20/07/2019 - 11:22
      +1

      Good, hope they throw the book at him. We need less of people who would randomly key cars. I wonder what perceived benefit they get from keying some random car

      • shaybisc on 20/07/2019 - 14:38

        Same one they get from vandalising public property like street signs, garbage bins etc.

  • the Unforgiven on 20/07/2019 - 12:09

    ask Shannons how often it happens
    while you are there, see how much it costs to insure comprehensively

  • Thinkscape on 20/07/2019 - 13:13
    -2

    Great choice!
    Model S and X would be considered luxurious, and, specific to Australia, they sometimes get negative attention from some backward-thinking individuals in-love with their fart-cars, UTEs etc. All Teslas might be considered "exotic" in Australia, given that there are less than 3000 of them on Australian roads at the moment, and there's still not enough EVs in general to improve general awareness of how those work and the benefits of having one.

    One of many unique things to a Tesla is Sentry Mode. Here's one of a few clips on Youtube, recorded by a Tesla in Sentry Mode, showing someone keying the car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy37eeVLEqM - YMMV depending on the angle etc. but at least you get a chance of catching the perp. keying your car. Makes it easier to report it to the police, serves as a deterrent, might make it easier to claim it with your insurance.

    Not sure how old your mom is, but if you were choosing between a lux German brand and Tesla, contrary to public belief of some, it might be easier for her to understand and start using the technology in a Tesla; thanks to all the UI, in plain English, on one screen. If she can handle a smartphone (touch interface), she'll be fine in a Tesla (even if she doesn't need or use all of the features like Auto Pilot)

    In terms of charging etc. you'd be getting a high-speed charger to install at her home. She will have her car charged and ready to go every morning, no more trips to a stinky petrol station. If she does any road trips (400km+) then she'll be able to use one of many superchargers, which are trivial to use (just plug it in and forget, you get a notification when it finishes). https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/findus#/bounds/-0.6911344,166.74…
    No superchargers around? (esp WA or NT), how about thousands of 3rd party charging locations: https://www.plugshare.com/

    If I were in your shoes, I'd probably get her a Model 3 - smaller, more practical, feels more grounded and "sporty", latest Tesla tech included, half the price of an S in Australia.

    ps: remember when ordering a Tesla, use a referral code to get free 1500KM of charging. PM me and I can send you mine if you'd like.

    Lastly, looking at police statistics (http://crimetool.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/bocsar/), the number is not very high - i.e. in FY19 reported damage to property on car parks was 21 in Burwood for example, stable YoY (I've done a search on "Incidents of Malicious damage to property on Carpark Premises from April 2017 to March 2019"). Blacktown had 164. Of course it's only reported incidents, and the resolution of the statistics is not very high, so I'd take it with a grain of salt.

    • Thinkscape on 20/07/2019 - 13:26
      +1

      Oh, the best physical protection against keying (and other light damage) is wrapping.
      * It will cost around $5000 in Sydney for Model 3
      * the application takes a day or two when done professionally (or longer if you're doing it yourself)
      * the film is self-healing (which means either on its own, or you can use a heat-gun to repair a scratch)
      * can be re-applied locally (if right door got keyed, you can replace the film wrap just on this one door).
      * there's tens of different colours and textures to choose from (as opposed to mere 5 colours that Tesla gives you)
      * protects from debris, rocks, small dents, scratches, weather (rain, hail, UV from sun)
      * increases resell value (you can even remove the wrap completely before selling and the paint underneath will be pristine)

      Here's a few videos about wraps:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTt_oGhxeKg
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwN_uIWpNOQ
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYlfN1ggmv0

      • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2019 - 13:28
        -2

        A $5000 wrap is just stupid on a $70k car. It's moron economics.

        • Thinkscape on 20/07/2019 - 13:35
          +3

          It depends. Have you ever paid for a body work on a decent car?

          Re-coating a multi-coat paint on a modern car can set you back a few grand. The red paint on Teslas is notoriously hard to tone-match.

          Film protects you from small debris. If you live in an area with poor roads, you will be saving yourself time and money on repairs (and Teslas currently are expensive to repair and spare parts have long waiting periods)

          For a car in the range of $70-110k I'd say it's something to consider.

          • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2019 - 13:36
            -3

            @Thinkscape: Only a moron would spend close to 10% of the cars value on a wrap.

          • This Guy on 22/07/2019 - 01:24

            @Thinkscape: To respray it's around $100 wholesale per panel with volume, $400 to $800 retail for a reasonable job.

            You are right, some people will charge though the nose. Multi layer metallic have been a problem for decades, that's why they do the whole panel.

      • This Guy on 22/07/2019 - 01:26

        best physical protection against keying

        ???

        I believe replacing all the panels with rusted, quarter inch steel would offer far more protection from keying, as you can keep the original panels pristine, locked away in your living room.

    • brendanm on 20/07/2019 - 17:31

      I have to say I've never seen ute written as UTE before. Quite unique.

      I'm sure there are lots of Tesla's in Blacktown lol

    • Thinkscape on 23/07/2019 - 09:13

      Hahah, the down votes with no counter-arguments on this comment are "priceless"… good job 3 random people.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2019 - 13:29
    +8

    OP. It's spelled mum. Not mom. We don't live in the USA.

    • shaybisc on 20/07/2019 - 14:40
      -1

      That's not what all the spell-checkers I encounter online say.

      • resisting the urge on 22/07/2019 - 11:43

        Yet. Locations services are getting creepier and more accurate (Not sure that spell checks will tho, lol!)

  • NightVision on 20/07/2019 - 16:47
    +1

    Yeah..Use to drive a Rav4 for 10 years… Never got key and never thought of it..Until bought a Lexus and got Keyed in the first 6 months..at Cosco Doclands.
    Never understand the mind of those people..
    They did it out of jealously or just crazy?

    • Cluster on 20/07/2019 - 18:18

      It's both jealousy and rage that they haven't been successful in life. They see someone else owning something nice and feel the urge to damage it. It's bizarre behaviour.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2019 - 21:10
        -7

        Or perhaps NightVision is just shit at parking. I don't think many people are going to key a Lexus.

        • NightVision on 20/07/2019 - 22:24
          +6

          Hmm…you know nothing about the person but yet you already made negative assumption about that person.
          R you Ok?

            • NightVision on 21/07/2019 - 13:28
              +2

              @[Deactivated]: You seem to get a few negative votes in this forum, you probably like the attention of being a troll.
              I can never understand the mind of a troll. So I'll ignore from now on.

              • brendanm on 21/07/2019 - 21:27

                @NightVision: Tesla owner, out of touch with the real world, have a look at Bob Brown.

  • brendanm on 20/07/2019 - 17:28
    +1

    60% of the time they get keyed every time.

    • dansblackcat on 23/07/2019 - 17:32
      +1

      This is only 1/2 true most of the time.

  • Name on 20/07/2019 - 17:38
    +2

    I wouldn't. But not because of the chance of keying. She probably wouldn't appreciate it given she doesn't live an extravagant life. She probably would see it as a waste of money.

    My parents are similar and scoff at people wasting money on cars that you are only in for 15 minutes a day to get you from a to b.

    But.. They aren't car people.

    My parents would prefer a holiday or to give it to the grand kids.

    • funnysht on 20/07/2019 - 18:54

      exactly. put in a high interest account under your name and then show it to her = she'll be proud or pay of their home/etc or holiday. I would hate to get a car as a present- especially a new one!

  • Omitsukasa on 20/07/2019 - 17:43
    +2

    I have a confession to make. When I was a high school student there was a car that was regularly parked right at the entrance/exit of a train station underpass, with car spots next to it. There were zebra lines - obviously the spot was for pedestrians but that damn car would always be there, because parking was full and he was a selfish ass. Wheelchairs would not have been able to go through the gap.
    After seeing the car there for a week I keyed it. The car stopped parking there soon after.

  • Resin on 20/07/2019 - 17:43
    -1

    As someone who lives in the area, my only advice to you is;

    You are far more likely to have an accident with a foreign national in this area or a trolley ding than have your car keyed

    • RSmith on 21/07/2019 - 08:55
      +2

      foreign national

      Foreign looking national.

      • Resin on 21/07/2019 - 23:45

        Foreign looking national.

        Are you a racist or something?

        • RSmith on 22/07/2019 - 04:38

          Are you a racist or something?

          No.

  • RSmith on 20/07/2019 - 18:00
    +10

    Six degrees of separation… If your car gets keyed, you got to key six cars till you get to the bastard who keyed yours.

  • Cluster on 20/07/2019 - 18:16

    Keying cars is rare in my area, but I would beware of parking on the street in front of someone else's house. That's probably the most likely place to get your car damaged that way. A work colleague had her car keyed across the entire side of the car.

  • funnysht on 20/07/2019 - 18:51
    -2

    There should be another section of hybrids and 'teslas"

    btw why so secretive "She lives west of Sydney around Ashfield/Burwood/Campsie/Strathfield area"?

    • idonotknowwhy on 20/07/2019 - 20:49
      +2

      It's good OpSec practice to keep your identity anonymous when you've already told the world that you can afford to buy a Tesla for your mum.

      • funnysht on 20/07/2019 - 21:02

        yeah but he's revealing his mom's suburb (not his)
        and there are like 0.5million people living there, what chance

        3rdly and most importantly ozbargain ppl are fair dinukum ppl wanting a bargain.

  • HeWhoKnows on 20/07/2019 - 19:48
    +1

    Any car might get keyed if parked irresponsibly and a causing particular inconvenience or a safety hazard to others.

    Id suggest you dont buy any new car unless it can be kept safe OFF the road. i.e. Garaged!

    • ChickenTalon on 21/07/2019 - 00:12
      +1

      And never take it anywhere too?

  • sockpuppy on 20/07/2019 - 21:17
    +4

    I have a Tesla Model-S and it is a great car, dare I say the best car ever, but it's not for everyone. It is big, wide, fast in a nice kind of American way. For my mum, it would be the wrong kind of car the cool things like self-driving, auto parking, it's acceleration are scary for her, just as the computer-based interface is just too confrontational. My internet native daughters on the other hand just "get it" without explanation.

    So my question is are you buying a "status" symbol for your mum or something you mum will love getting around in? Has she ever said "love that kind of car"? Maybe as one poster recommend she may prefer some life experiences, maybe with you and family on an international trip and with the change a nice new fully optioned Mazda3.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 21/07/2019 - 00:27

    It has never happened to me but i've had a number of people hit my car when it was past only once someone left a note on my old car

    On my current car i got at least 7-10 dins, scratches are scraps for people also never left a not….

    It is kind of why i'd never buy a high end car, i got upset when my civic had a scrape on it when i parked at the gym can imagine how i would of been if it was a 150k Tesla…

    ALSO how bloody rich are you that you can drop enough money to buy your mum a Tesla for her birthday? - did you win Powerball?

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