Warning to Audi car owners

Thieves use emergency key located in glovebox to steal car.

20 February 2012 06:30

Audi motorists in Aberdeen have been warned to be extra vigilant after reports that thieves are targeting the cars.

The thieves are understood to be breaking into the cars to obtain an emergency key that is located in the glovebox before making off with the vehicle.

One Aberdeen man, who did not want to be named, told STV Local that over £1000 worth of damage was caused to his Audi A5 after the thieves broke into his car.

He said: “I had no idea that there was an emergency key in my glovebox that could be used to start the car. I was never told this by Audi or I would obviously have removed it straight away.

“I have heard that there has been a number of Audis in the Bridge of Don and Bucksburn areas that have also been targeted.

“I suspect people don’t realise that this key is even there and I would urge them to remove it so that they don’t go through a similar experience to myself.

“Fortunately my car was recovered after a few hours but whoever stole it must have went racing as there are chunks out of the tyres and my alloy wheels need replaced. The petrol cap has also been hauled off.

“It is quite an expensive car so you would expect when you buy the car you should be made aware that there is an extra key in the glovebox.”

A spokesperson for the car manufacturer said: “We are not aware of any similar activity elsewhere in the UK.

“The emergency key is formed of two elements – an adapter and a key. When cars are handed over to customers, the emergency key should always be supplied in its separate parts: the adapter is located in the glovebox while the key is handed to the customer. The car can only be started and driven away when the two elements of the key are combined.

“Therefore, the two parts to the key should never be kept in the same place. Advice about the emergency key is given in the owner’s manual for every car.”