Can burglars open your car at night with this simple trick? † drive

Central locking in cars is a blessing because you can lock or unlock your car at the touch of a button. However, there are also negative sides to it. Thieves can open them with special equipment and then even drive off if the car is also equipped with the so-called keyless go-system.

But thieves can also empty your car with an astonishingly simple trick without leaving any break-through marks. At least that’s what they claim sources on YouTube and social media for several years. It involves a trick where a coin is put into the door handle. A 10 euro cent coin, preferably at the right rear door so that the driver cannot see it, would ensure that your car is no longer locked via the remote control of the car key.

According to reports and videos, if the thief knows where you parked your car at night, he can easily get in to take it or steal any valuables. Additional problem for you: because there are no signs of burglary, the insurance company can refuse to pay for the damage.

But is it right? There may be remotes that will indeed not lock a car when a coin is slid between the handle. For example, of some older models with recessed door handles. But that doesn’t work with today’s so-called mainstream models. Tests by various German media as 24Auto.de and Focus showed that in a large number of cars examined, ranging from the Opel Astra to the VW Touran, the car is simply locked in all cases.

Even a pin that holds the door handle open about four times as far as the coin doesn’t impress the electric closing mechanism, it found German newsmagazine Focus in the past. The car will not lock unless the door handle is held fully open. But the driver would notice that, if only because of the lack of reaction (clicking of the locks, beeping, flashing, etc.) of the car. So a hoax. That saves walking around the car again in the morning.