When Should You Replace Your Door Locks? 7 Signs UK Homeowners Miss

Most homeowners only think about their door locks after something goes wrong.

A break-in.
A lost key.
A lock that suddenly jams at 10pm.

But by the time a lock fails, the risk has already been there for years.

According to official UK crime data published by the House of Commons Library, burglary remains a persistent issue across England and Wales, with thousands of residential break-ins recorded annually. Opportunistic entry is far more common than people assume — and outdated locks make that easier.

Here are 7 signs it’s time to replace your door locks — before they fail when you need them most.

1. Your Lock Is Over 10 Years Old

Locks aren’t lifetime hardware.

Security standards evolve.
Burglary methods adapt.
Internal components wear down.

If your lock was installed:

Before 2015
When you first moved in
When the door was originally fitted

…it likely predates modern anti-snap standards.

Upgrading to modern high-security door locks designed for UK homes significantly reduces vulnerability to snapping, drilling and forced-entry techniques — especially on uPVC and composite doors.

Older locks may still “work.”
That doesn’t mean they still protect.

Two cylindrical door locks, one silver and one gold, with the Avocet ABS branding on them.

2. You’ve Moved Into a New Property

When you move house, you don’t know:

How many keys are circulating
Who had copies made
Whether contractors retained access

Even if the previous owner seems trustworthy, replacing the lock resets control immediately.

It’s one of the simplest and most cost-effective security upgrades you can make after completion.

Waiting adds risk.
Replacing removes uncertainty.

3. Your Keys Have Been Lost — Even Temporarily

If your keys go missing and you cannot be 100% certain where they’ve been, replacing the lock is the safer decision.

Especially if:

Your address was attached
They were stolen from a vehicle
They were lost near your property

A replacement cylinder costs far less than a forced entry.

4. The Lock Feels Different Than It Used To

This is one of the most ignored warning signs.

The key sticks slightly
The handle feels loose
You need to lift the door to lock it
The turn isn’t as smooth

Subtle mechanical change usually means internal wear.

And worn cylinders are easier to force.

If your lock feels different compared to a year ago, that’s often the early warning. Waiting rarely makes it cheaper.

5. Your Lock Isn’t Anti-Snap or TS007 Rated

Lock snapping remains one of the most common forced-entry methods in the UK.

If your euro cylinder:

Protrudes beyond the handle
Has no anti-snap line
Was installed over a decade ago

…it may be vulnerable.

Upgrading to TS007-rated anti-snap euro cylinders built to current UK security standards dramatically increases resistance against snapping and drilling.

If you’re unsure what insurers expect, our guide explaining what makes a door lock insurance approved in the UK breaks down the standards clearly and practically.

6. You’ve Had an Attempted Break-In

If someone has:

Tried to force the cylinder
Scratched or twisted the face
Damaged the handle
Attempted snapping

Replace it immediately.

Even if the lock still turns.

Internal damage isn’t always visible — and weakened components reduce resistance dramatically.

Security is about resistance under force, not just function.

7. You’re Upgrading Security — But Ignoring the Lock

Many homeowners install:

Video doorbells
CCTV
Motion lighting

But leave a 12-year-old cylinder on the front door.

Surveillance records incidents.
Locks prevent entry.

If you’re investing in security, upgrading your locking system should be one of the first improvements — not the last.

Replacing Like-for-Like Isn’t Always an Upgrade

Replacing an old cylinder with the cheapest similar model doesn’t necessarily improve security.

If you’re upgrading, ensure the replacement meets modern standards — particularly TS007 rating for cylinders or appropriate BS standards for timber doors.

If you’re unsure which option is right for your property, our detailed buyer guide covering the best high-security door locks for UK homes explains what genuinely improves resistance.