Do dealerships keep the cars unlocked overnight with the keys in it ?
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GLE 450
Do dealerships keep the cars unlocked overnight with the keys in it ?
I had my car at the dealership Service center for repairs and the dealership service center closes at 6 PM . I saw that my car was unlocked till 2 hours after the closing. I am not sure if the dealership keeps the car unlocked with key fobs in them. I know if anything happens, their insurance will take care of it , but I am trying to understand why such negligence.
Either of the following things occurred.
Any idea on what usually dealerships do with all the car keys that are kept in their lot for the repairs ? What is the standard practice here ?
Thanks !
Either of the following things occurred.
- The person left the key fob inside the car and left it unattended and unlocked.
- The person left the car unlocked and kept the key away from the car in some cabinet.
Any idea on what usually dealerships do with all the car keys that are kept in their lot for the repairs ? What is the standard practice here ?
Thanks !
Last edited by merz24; Jun 3, 2024 at 08:39 PM.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
I see mine as closed and locked unless they are actively working on it. Both local dealers here are consistent with that. I always assumed that would be a policy at every dealer - interested to hear if others have the same thing happen.
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2019 C63CS
No, they don't do that, at least in my experience with my dealership. The only time the car is unlocked with the fob inside is during drop off. After that they take out the fob and attach a smart tag to it. While the car is being moved around or getting ready for pick up, they keep the keys in a drawer in the service bay. If the car is parked in the back while not worked on, the key goes into a vault. That's what the smart tag is for. It allows the dealership to track the key and find it in the vault. If your car was unlocked, it was likely still in the service bay and then parked outside afterhours. The location tracking is quite accurate. I can see on the phone if my car is inside or outside in the lot.
Having said that, they did once forget to lock my car. I noticed in the evening that it was outside and still unlocked, so I locked it from the app. The fob was not inside, otherwise I most likely would have gotten a call the next day about the fob being locked in.
Having said that, they did once forget to lock my car. I noticed in the evening that it was outside and still unlocked, so I locked it from the app. The fob was not inside, otherwise I most likely would have gotten a call the next day about the fob being locked in.
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 4, 2024 at 12:46 AM.
Thread Starter
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GLE 450
No, they don't do that, at least in my experience with my dealership. The only time the car is unlocked with the fob inside is during drop off. After that they take out the fob and attach a smart tag to it. While the car is being moved around or getting ready for pick up, they keep the keys in a drawer in the service bay. If the car is parked in the back while not worked on, the key goes into a vault. That's what the smart tag is for. It allows the dealership to track the key and find it in the vault. If your car was unlocked, it was likely still in the service bay and then parked outside afterhours. The location tracking is quite accurate. I can see on the phone if my car is inside or outside in the lot.
Having said that, they did once forget to lock my car. I noticed in the evening that it was outside and still unlocked, so I locked it from the app. The fob was not inside, otherwise I most likely would have gotten a call the next day about the fob being locked in.
Having said that, they did once forget to lock my car. I noticed in the evening that it was outside and still unlocked, so I locked it from the app. The fob was not inside, otherwise I most likely would have gotten a call the next day about the fob being locked in.
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From: Tennessee
2015 MB S550 & 2020 MB GLS 450
Same with me. Receive notice on app if unlocked, so I know they are working on it. Even if it sits, it's no bid deal as I have a loaner.
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GLE 450
the issue is not about it being unlocked in working hours . It is more of a concern when left unlocked after hours when service center is closed.
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Super Member
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From: NJ
2022 GLE 450
This has never happened to me. It has only been unlocked while inside the shop. I can understand your concern; however, if someone made a mistake and left it unlocked, couldn't you just lock it from the app?
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2024 GLE63s, 2021 E63s, 2018 GLC43
Why don’t you just ask them about your concerns? In my dealership, cars are parked inside their parking structure/workshop and is gated with a garage door. The keys are probably locked inside a lock box too. And they could have security guards overnight. Your car isn’t the most expensive thing they have sitting around.
Last edited by taphil; Jun 5, 2024 at 01:13 PM.
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Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
I was browsing for a Jaguar at Autobahn about ten years ago on a Sunday. Right on top of one of the cars outside were the keys for that car. I did not even touch them but called the emergency phone number on that Sunday telliing someone/thing that the keys were on top of one of their new Jags outside the bldg. Stuff happens is where this falls.
Thread Starter
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GLE 450
Yeah ! Checked with the dealership and they said it was a mistake . They usually lock it but they missed it that day. After that i have always seen it locked. Cars are in fenced gate per them. But I was skeptical to lock it because I thought may be they have left the key in car which can lock them out if I lock from app.
To one of the comment here, I know my car wont be the most expensive out there , but I dont want anyone messing up with car and then dealing with insurance.
prevention is better than cure if that makes sense
To one of the comment here, I know my car wont be the most expensive out there , but I dont want anyone messing up with car and then dealing with insurance.
prevention is better than cure if that makes sense
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From: NJ
2022 GLE 450
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if one can lock the doors, via the app, if keys are inside? I would think not; but now that I think more about it, I guess the app wouldn't have to ability to sense the key.
Last edited by TonyF61; Jun 6, 2024 at 08:55 AM.
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I have had it do both. Your not "supposed" to be able to lock the keys in the car...but I have (and been able to unlock it with the app). I can 100% of the time lock the keys in the car with the second set of keys.
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2019 C63CS
Yes, you can as far as I know. You can also lock the second key in the car using the other key. I did this during my European delivery trip as I carried the second key in my luggage. The app/second key overrides the key inside of the car. This is somewhat useful if you want to lock the key inside and only take your phone with you. For example when going to the beach. To be sure, the fob itself can also be disabled by double pressing the lock button, or on newer cars a slightly different combination of pressing the buttons. It's explained in the owner's manual. But also as I said, the new fobs disable themselves after they don't sense any motion for 2 minutes.
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 6, 2024 at 12:21 PM.
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Yes you can lock a key in the car with another, or the app.
Be aware though, the interior monitor stays active unless you separately deactivate it (app), so any people or pets moving inside may set off an alarm.
Be aware though, the interior monitor stays active unless you separately deactivate it (app), so any people or pets moving inside may set off an alarm.
