Hi,

If I sound flustered, that's because I am.

Went to open driver's door after unlocking it (key operated lock not fancy central locking as my Panda is an early 53 plate car so one of the early less sophisticated ones) and applied too much pressure to the door handle lifting it up and I felt something snap. Holding my 4 year old in my arms didn't help either as he refused to walk :bang:, however, as I remind myself I am the adult here in this relationship so I couldn't throw a strop (although you can just tell that I wanted to have a tantaum there and then as everything is getting to me).

Now - car is just coming up for MOT (you wouldn't Xmas eve it) and I know that you have to have access to all four door both internally and externally, so if I buy another driver door lock from ebay/breakers yard, do I have to get the key aswell or can the barrel be pushed out of mine and inserted into the new lock.

For a quick fix I know I could fit a rear door/passenger door handle and rely on the immobiliser preventing the car getting stolen but don't want anything stolen inside the car either really.

Any thoughts:worship: please

The barrel in the old lock should be fine for transferring over.

It's probably some of the little plastic bits in the handle mechanism that have snapped. You'll need to have a check to see what has actually snapped before you just buy another handle. It might be something else within the door...

Scrappy should be a good source...

The lock barrel just swaps over, there is a circlip holding it in place

Wee Smurf,

thanks for the calming words and the sound advice, I will check the door panel

all the best

Dear MEP,

thanks for the soothing confirmation, much appreciated

all the best