DKP in numbers
The specialist in damage-free unlocking since 2014
Why pick the lock rather than break a window
The economic and technical case
The temptation is understandable. At the roadside, a broken window seems like the quickest fix. But in reality, it is almost always the wrong choice.
First, the cost. A standard side window at Carglass or Mondial Pare-Brise runs €220 to €380, with a workshop call-out within 24-72h. For laminated glazing (Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, Tesla Model S from 2021 onwards), allow €600 to €900. A driver's door on a Range Rover Sport? €720. Our average call-out: €89-149.
Next, the hidden damage. When a window shatters, the shards migrate into the window mechanism, into the seals, into the door's electrical loom. Specialist cleaning (HEPA vacuum, door panel removal) costs an extra €80-150. On vehicles with a rain sensor on the windscreen, the shock vibrations can misalign the optical loom — a diagnosis that costs 1 to 2 hours of dealership labour.
Finally, the insurance angle. A broken window triggers a claim. Depending on your policy, you may lose your no-claims discount, pay an excess (€200-400), or see your premium rise at renewal. A DKP unlock is not a claim: it's an assistance service, often covered by your policy with no impact on your profile.
The professional techniques we use
Five tool families based on your model
The trade's flagship tool. The Lishi combines a pin feeler and a tension indicator that simulates the rotation of a legitimate key. On a Peugeot 308 HU83, picking takes 3 to 5 minutes on average. On a BMW 3 Series E90 HU92, 4 to 8 minutes. The big advantage: by the end of the operation, the tool has not only opened the lock but also read the mechanical code, which then allows us to cut a key identical to the original without disassembly.
Rubber wedge inserted into the top corner of the driver's door, gradually inflated to 5-7 PSI to spread the frame by 4 to 6 mm. A sheathed carbon rod is then passed through the opening to operate the interior lock button, door handle lever or central locking button. Preferred method on saloons with soft aluminium frames: Renault Mégane, Peugeot 308, VW Golf, Ford Focus. On models with a rigid steel door frame (Toyota, BMW 5 Series), effectiveness is more limited.
On lock cylinders where Lishi access is limited (recent Mercedes HU64, Opel HU100 R, Renault Trafic VAC102), we use a 3mm diameter digital endoscope coupled with pin decoding software. Optical reading reconstructs the exact cut of the original key in 8-15 minutes, then we immediately cut a blade on-site via a Silca Triax code cutter. Advantage: no mechanical risk to the barrel.
For Keyless cars with a flat 12V battery (Tesla Model 3, BMW Comfort Access, Mercedes EQ, Audi e-tron, Volvo XC60), mechanical opening is not enough: the BCM (Body Control Module) also has to be woken up so it accepts the unlock command. Our Autel IM608 Pro or Abrites AVDI case connects to the OBD port via a door cracked open with an air wedge, powers the CAN bus, sends the unlock command and disarms the alarm. Compatible with 95% of electric and hybrid models from 2018-2026.
Electrically retracted handles (Tesla Model 3/Y/S, Mercedes EQS, Range Rover Velar, BMW iX) require proprietary tooling: handle motor trigger via external 12V power, or system wake-up via a short CCS contact. On the Tesla Model 3, we use the jump start frunk technique, which involves powering the front bonnet's external terminals to wake up the BCM. Allow 30 to 50 minutes in total.
Understanding your lock: anatomy by manufacturer group
Each HU profile has its own behaviour
Not all locks are equal. The blade profile (HU83, VA2, HU66, HU92, HU100…) determines not only the physical shape of the key, but also the number of pins, their arrangement, and the mechanical resistance to picking. Here are the main profiles we encounter and their intervention specifics.
Most frequent Lishi profiles in our call-outs
| HU83 (Stellantis PSA) | Peugeot 207, 208, 308, 3008 — Citroën C3, C4, DS3, DS4, DS5. 8 pins. Average picking 4-6 min. |
| VA2 (Renault classic) | Clio II/III, Mégane II/III, Twingo II, Scénic II. 8 pins. Fast picking 3-5 min. |
| HU64 (Mercedes-Benz) | Vito, Sprinter, A-Class W169, C-Class W203/W204. 10 pins, 4 levels. Technical picking 8-15 min. |
| HU66 (VW Group) | Golf IV/V/VI/VII, Polo, Tiguan, Audi A3 8L/8P, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia. 10 pins, double-sided. Picking 5-10 min. |
| HU92 (BMW classic) | 1 Series E81/E87, 3 Series E46/E90, 5 Series E60, Mini R56. 10 pins. Picking 6-12 min. |
| HU100 (GM / Opel) | Astra G/H/J, Corsa C/D, Insignia, Zafira. 8 pins. Picking 5-8 min. |
| TOY43 (Toyota) | Yaris, Aygo, Corolla, Auris. 8 pins. Picking 4-7 min. |
| HY22 (Hyundai/Kia) | i20, i30, ix35, Sportage, Ceed. 8 pins. Picking 5-9 min. |
| FO38R (Ford) | Fiesta, Focus II/III, Kuga, Mondeo. 8 pins. Picking 5-10 min. |
On vehicles built after 2020, many manufacturers have removed the visible lock cylinder on the passenger door — or even on both sides (Tesla, BMW iX, Mercedes EQE). It's precisely on these models that OBD decoding becomes essential: no mechanical picking is possible from the bodywork side.
Indicative pricing — car unlock without key
| Situation | Price inc. VAT | On-site duration |
|---|---|---|
| City car / standard saloon (HU83, VA2, HU66 lock cylinder) | €69 – €119 | 30-50 min |
| SUV / MPV (Captur, 3008, Tiguan, Kuga, X1) | €89 – €149 | 40-70 min |
| Classic premium (BMW E90/F30, Mercedes W203/W205, Audi A4) | €119 – €189 | 45-80 min |
| Keyless with dead 12V battery (OBD wake-up required) | €149 – €240 | 50-100 min |
| Flush handles (Tesla Model 3/Y, Range Rover Velar, BMW iX) | €189 – €280 | 60-120 min |
| Boot/tailgate opening only | €79 – €159 | 30-60 min |
| Night surcharge (10pm-6am), Sunday, bank holiday | +€39 to €99 | — |
Coverage areas
FR, BE, NL — fast dispatch
Customer testimonials
They avoided the broken window