uPVC Door LocksRepair, Replace & 3-Star Upgrade
Multi-point gearboxes, anti-snap euro cylinders, handle cassettes, shootbolt strips — we fix every uPVC lock fault homeowners in South London call about. Stock on the van for Yale, ERA, Mila, GU Ferco, Fullex and Avocet. 30-minute typical arrival across CR, SW, SE, SM and BR.
Fixed prices · No VAT · No call-out fee
What is actually locking your uPVC door — and where it usually fails.
Every uPVC door made since the mid-1990s uses a multi-point locking system rather than a single traditional mortice lock. Look at the open edge of the door and you will see a long metal strip running from near the top to near the bottom. That strip is the lock. Lift the handle and the strip drives several locking points out into the frame at the same time — typically two hooks, two compression rollers, and sometimes a deadbolt and a pair of shootbolts. Turn the key and that multi-point engagement is held in place until you unlock it again. Six or more points clamped against a reinforced uPVC frame is why these doors are so difficult to force open.
The small silver barrel sitting behind the handle on either side of the door is the euro cylinder. The cylinder is the brain — it is what the key actually turns. It drives a small cam that engages the gearbox inside the multi-point strip, which in turn drives every hook and roller. Because every uPVC door in the UK uses the same standard euro cylinder size (with only the length varying), the cylinder can be replaced independently of the rest of the lock. That is why a TS 007 3-star anti-snap cylinder upgrade is the single highest-value security improvement you can make to a uPVC door — it takes 15 minutes and transforms the door's resistance to the most common burglary method.
Where uPVC door locks go wrong
Nine times out of ten, when a South London homeowner calls us about a uPVC door, the fault is one of three things. The handle has stopped lifting properly — the handle cassette is worn. The handle lifts but the key will not turn — the gearbox inside the multi-point strip has failed. Or the key turns freely without locking anything — the cam inside the euro cylinder has sheared off. Each of these has a specific repair that does not require replacing the whole door. We cover every scenario on this page and across our uPVC door lock repair page, with fixed pricing and same-day attendance across every South London postcode. If you prefer to read around the problem first, our locksmith advice blog covers the technical detail.
If you just want a quote, the quickest route is a photo of your handle backplate and the door edge sent to our WhatsApp line. We will identify the brand, confirm what needs replacing and give a fixed price in minutes — no visit required just to quote. Full brand coverage is detailed further down. Learn more about the team or jump to our contact page. For the range of areas we cover, see areas we cover.
Eight components that together make a uPVC door lock work.
Understanding what is inside your door edge makes diagnosing a fault dramatically faster. Most homeowners never see the internals, which is why the same three parts get misdiagnosed every week. Here is every piece that plays a role.
Multi-Point Strip (Gearbox)
The long metal faceplate running the full height of the door edge. Houses the gearbox in the centre plus the shoot bars that extend upwards and downwards. This is the whole locking mechanism; the gearbox is the moving part inside it.
Euro Cylinder
The keyed barrel behind the handle, standardised across every UK uPVC door. Replaced in 15 minutes. The single biggest security weak point if it is a basic cylinder — and the single biggest security win if upgraded to TS 007 3-star.
Hook Bolts
Two curved steel hooks that rotate out of the door edge when you lift the handle and bite into keeps in the frame. Resist spreading (anti-jemmy) attacks. Typically one at handle height and one 40–50cm below.
Compression Rollers
Mushroom-shaped rollers that engage into angled keeps and pull the door tight against the weather seal. Usually two per door. They do not lock as such — they clamp the door into a draft-proof seal.
Shootbolts
Top and bottom steel bars that drop into sockets in the frame head and threshold. Not fitted on every door; common on French and patio-style doors. Provide the highest anti-forced-entry rating for vulnerable doors.
Centre Deadbolt
A square bolt at handle height that throws when you turn the key. Not all multi-point systems have one — some rely on hooks alone for the keyed locking. Adds a hardened resistance point in the middle.
Handle & Spring Cassette
The internal and external handles operate a spring cassette that returns the handle to the horizontal position after you lift it. When this cassette wears out, the handle starts drooping — the fault everyone mistakenly attributes to the cylinder.
Keeps (Strikes) & Frame Reinforcement
The metal plates screwed to the frame that receive the hooks, rollers and shootbolts. Good frame reinforcement is what stops the door being crowbarred. Poor keeps are why older uPVC doors can sometimes be forced despite the multi-point mechanism.
Four multi-point mechanisms — and what to look for on your door.
Not every uPVC multi-point lock is the same inside. The hooks, rollers and shootbolts combine in four common patterns. Identifying which one your door uses decides which replacement gearbox we bring out.
Hooks + Rollers (2H + 2R)
Two hook bolts plus two compression rollers — the default multi-point layout on single residential uPVC front and back doors fitted since 2000.
- Best for: most South London homes
- Common brands: Yale, ERA, Mila, Fullex
- Gearbox repair: from £350 fitted
Hooks + Rollers + Centre Deadbolt
Adds a keyed centre bolt between the hooks for a dedicated locking point at handle height. PAS 24 doors and Secured by Design properties often specify this layout.
- Best for: PAS 24 & Secured by Design
- Common brands: GU Ferco, Winkhaus, Fuhr
- Replacement: brand-specific gearbox
Shootbolts + Hooks + Rollers
Adds top and bottom shootbolts that drop into sockets in the frame head and threshold. Fitted on taller-than-average doors, French doors and uPVC patio sets to lock the passive leaf.
- Best for: French doors, patio doors
- Common brands: Avocet, Mila, Lockmaster
- Full strip replacement: from £450 fitted
Hook-Only Multi-Bolt (6H)
Six hook bolts with no rollers — the most resistant layout against forcing. Found on high-security composite and aluminium doors that share the uPVC multi-point chassis.
- Best for: composite doors, high security
- Common brands: Yale Platinum, Winkhaus
- Specialist gearbox; lead time applies
What happens when you lift the handle
Handle rotates
The internal handle spindle engages the gearbox follower and drives it 45 degrees upwards.
Gearbox drives the strip
Internal gears translate rotation into vertical movement along the multi-point faceplate.
Hooks and rollers deploy
Hook bolts rotate 90 degrees into keeps; rollers compress into angled strikes and seal the door.
Key turns the cylinder
The cam inside the cylinder locks the gearbox cassette — nothing can move until the key turns back.
The one upgrade that decides whether a uPVC door can actually be broken in.
The multi-point mechanism itself is almost unforceable. The euro cylinder is the single weak point burglars target. Here is how cylinder ratings compare — and why the 3-star upgrade pays for itself the first time someone rattles your door handle at 2am.
| Cylinder Rating | Anti-Snap | Anti-Pick | Anti-Bump | Anti-Drill | Insurer Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (no rating) | No | No | No | No | No |
| TS 007 1-Star | Partial | Basic | Partial | No | Only with 2-star handle |
| TS 007 3-Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes — meets all UK policies |
| SS 312 Diamond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes — Sold Secure equivalent |
Standard Not Accepted
- Anti-Snap
- No
- Anti-Pick
- No
- Anti-Bump
- No
- Anti-Drill
- No
TS 007 1-Star Only w/ 2★ handle
- Anti-Snap
- Partial
- Anti-Pick
- Basic
- Anti-Bump
- Partial
- Anti-Drill
- No
TS 007 3-Star Accepted
- Anti-Snap
- Yes
- Anti-Pick
- Yes
- Anti-Bump
- Yes
- Anti-Drill
- Yes
SS 312 Diamond Accepted
- Anti-Snap
- Yes
- Anti-Pick
- Yes
- Anti-Bump
- Yes
- Anti-Drill
- Yes
What cylinder snapping actually looks like
A standard euro cylinder can be gripped with a pair of mole-grips or a locksmith tool and snapped clean at the centre weak point in under 30 seconds. Once the outer half breaks off, the cam inside is exposed and the gearbox unlocks in seconds. This is the method behind most opportunist uPVC burglaries across London.
It does not require tools a casual intruder would not have and it leaves almost no evidence until the police arrive. A 3-star anti-snap cylinder includes a sacrificial front section — the cylinder breaks on purpose outside the cam, protecting the gearbox.
The 15-minute, insurance-rated upgrade
A TS 007 3-star or SS 312 Diamond cylinder fits the same euro cylinder slot as your existing cylinder. No new keeps, no new gearbox, no touching the door. Our engineer measures the length precisely (measured either side of the centre cam) to ensure the cylinder sits flush — projection is what lets snapping start.
Premium brands we carry: Brisant Ultion, Avocet ABS, Yale Platinum 3-Star, ERA Fortress 3-Star. Fitted from £200 including measurement, cut keys and a compliance certificate for your insurer.
Six faults we repair on uPVC doors every week — and what each actually costs.
Before you replace the whole door, read this. Most uPVC lock faults are a single worn component inside the multi-point strip. The correct repair is almost always cheaper than a whole new door — sometimes by a factor of twenty.
Handle droops & feels floppy
The handle sags down when you let go and does not spring back horizontal. The spring cassette inside the handle has worn out. The gearbox and cylinder are fine.
Handle lifts but key will not turn
The multi-point strip engages but the key binds in the cylinder, often mid-turn. The gearbox teeth have sheared or the cylinder cam is mismatched with the gearbox slot.
Key turns freely without locking
The cylinder rotates but nothing engages. The internal cam has sheared off the cylinder core — the key is disconnected from the gearbox.
Cylinder snapped by intruder
Front half of the cylinder is missing, pulled away from the door. This is a forced-entry attempt. The gearbox may or may not still be usable depending on how much pulling happened afterwards.
Door will not lock — handle jumps
When you lift the handle it springs back straight away without engaging. The gearbox follower is worn or the door has dropped on its hinges and the hooks are missing the keeps.
Locked in — door will not unlock from inside
Key turns on the inside but the hooks will not retract, trapping you indoors. Usually a snapped gearbox spindle or a failed internal handle return spring.
Nine uPVC multi-point manufacturers covered from van stock.
The brand fitted to your door depends on who manufactured the door — not who made the cylinder. We identify the gearbox from a photo of the faceplate stamp or the multi-point strip, and carry the matching replacement. If we don't have it on the van the first time, we source it to you within 24 hours at no additional callout fee.
Yale
The default on Anglian and Everest doors built 2005 onwards. Yale Platinum 3-Star cylinders are insurer-approved straight out of the box. Replacement gearboxes widely stocked.
Most common in South London.ERA
Fortress 3-Star cylinders and Saracen multi-point strips. Popular on trade-installed doors and new-build estates. Reversible latch gearboxes simplify inventory for landlords.
Good value · insurer-compliant.Mila
Fitted on a large share of 2000–2015 uPVC doors. Masterkey system lets landlords key-alike multiple doors. Several gearbox variants — we identify from the faceplate stamp.
Multiple sub-variants — photo first.GU Ferco
German engineering used by higher-spec door manufacturers. Tilt-and-turn variants common on French and patio doors. Replacement gearboxes need to match the exact generation.
Often on French doors & patios.Fullex
Crimebeater, XL and SL16 ranges are all widely installed across South London. Anti-slam versions protect against gust-drop when you pull the door shut.
Popular with independent installers.Avocet
ABS cylinders are among the most respected 3-star units on the market. Multi-point strips used on composite as well as uPVC doors. Ships with a snap-resistance guarantee.
ABS = premium anti-snap choice.Winkhaus
High-security German multi-point used on composite and PAS 24 doors. Tireno and AV2 ranges resist every common forcing attack. Usually paired with high-spec keeps.
Specified on PAS 24 doors.Fuhr
German multi-point with 6-hook variants for composite doors. Integrated anti-lift and anti-slam features. Parts are sourced to order rather than held in daily van stock.
Higher-security composite door spec.Lockmaster / Maco
Also branded under Maco, commonly fitted on older uPVC doors 1995–2008. Replacement strips can be backward-compatible with newer gearboxes, saving the cost of a full changeover.
Older doors — often repairable.A £30 cylinder is the gap between a secure door and a 30-second break-in.
A full uPVC door replacement in South London averages over £1,200. Fitting a TS 007 3-star cylinder to an existing door takes 15 minutes and costs a fraction of that. Upgrading the gearbox and handle in the same visit takes a door from borderline-compliant to PAS 24 equivalent without touching the frame. Our free insurance audit tells you which components need attention and which are still in good shape.
Four services that handle every call we take about a uPVC door.
Whether the key no longer turns, the handle is drooping, you have been locked out or locked in, or you want to upgrade security before something goes wrong — one of these four is what you need. Fixed pricing, same-day attendance, 24/7 cover.
Euro Cylinder Change
Standard-length measurement, like-for-like replacement, two keys cut on site. Also the route to an insurer-compliant 3-star upgrade.
3-Star Anti-Snap Upgrade
TS 007 3-star or SS 312 Diamond cylinder fitted flush to the door. Compliance certificate supplied. Brisant Ultion / Avocet ABS / Yale Platinum stocked.
Gearbox & Multi-Point Repair
Gearbox swap preserving original shoot bars, or full multi-point strip replacement where the shoot bars are bent. Brand-matched from van stock.
Emergency Open-Up
Locked out or locked in with a failed gearbox, snapped cylinder or key stuck in lock. Non-destructive entry where possible; new lock fitted same visit.
Three steps between you ringing and the new lock turning smoothly.
Call or WhatsApp a photo
Send a photo of the door edge, the handle backplate and (if possible) the keyhole. We identify the brand, the gearbox type and whether it is a cylinder, gearbox or handle fault within minutes. Fixed quote before we dispatch.
≈ 5 minutes30-Minute Arrival
Uniformed DBS-checked engineer arrives in a marked van with the matching Yale / ERA / Mila / GU Ferco / Fullex / Avocet gearbox, a TS 007 3-star cylinder option and handle cassettes. ID shown before anything else.
Across CR/SW/SE/SM/BRRepaired, Tested, Guaranteed
Replacement fitted, door tested from both sides, hinges re-aligned if needed, two keys cut and handed over. 12-month workmanship guarantee. Written invoice with compliance certificate for 3-star jobs.
Typically 30–60 minStock on the van. Compliance certificates by email. Zero surprises.
uPVC work is the single most frequent callout we take. Most companies arrive without the right gearbox, leave with a promise to return, and bill twice. We carry the stock, quote the price, finish the job.
Every Major Gearbox Brand On Van
Yale, ERA, Mila, GU Ferco, Fullex, Avocet, Winkhaus, Lockmaster. Brand-matched, fitted same visit.
TS 007 3-Star Cylinder Stock
Brisant Ultion, Avocet ABS, Yale Platinum, ERA Fortress 3-Star — insurer-compliant cylinders always ready.
Fixed Price, No VAT on Top
Quote stays quote. If the job needs more parts, you agree the cost before we open the door up.
30-Minute Typical Response
Average arrival time across the SW, SE, CR, SM and BR postcodes. 24/7 cover including nights and bank holidays.
Non-Destructive Entry First
We never drill a cylinder out first if there is a pick or bypass option. Saves you the cost of an avoidable replacement.
12-Month Workmanship Guarantee
Cylinder, gearbox, handle — all covered. If it fails for a reason we caused, we come back free.
DBS-Checked Engineers Only
Every engineer background-checked and uniformed. ID shown before crossing your threshold.
Written Compliance Certificate
3-star cylinder jobs come with a dated certificate your insurer will accept. Emailed before we leave.
Free Insurance Audit
We check the cylinder rating, handle spec and gearbox health against your policy wording before we charge.
Card & Cash Accepted
Card, cash — paid on completion, never upfront. No deposits, no holding fees.
uPVC door lock pricing — no call-out fee, no VAT on top.
Every figure below is the starting price for a standard South London residential job during business hours. After-midnight and bank-holiday rates are quoted separately before dispatch.
Cylinder Change
- Like-for-like replacement
- 2 keys cut on site
- 15-minute fit
3-Star Anti-Snap Upgrade
- TS 007 3-star or SS 312 Diamond
- Ultion / ABS / Yale Platinum
- Compliance certificate
- 12-month guarantee
Gearbox Repair
- Brand-matched van stock
- Original shoot bars kept
- Same-visit completion
Multi-Point Replacement
- New gearbox + shoot bars
- Keep realignment
- Handle replacement available
What customers say after a uPVC door lock visit.
Handle had been drooping for weeks, then one morning the key just spun. Sent a photo at 7.30am, engineer arrived before 9. New Fullex gearbox in and adjusted, a proper Ultion cylinder replacing the original — I can hear the difference when I lock it. Certificate emailed same afternoon.
Came home to a snapped cylinder on my back door — someone had tried to get in. Called at 9pm, Luca was on the driveway within forty minutes. Fitted a Diamond-rated replacement, re-keyed my front door to match so I only carry one set of keys. Calm, professional, fair price.
Previous locksmith told me the whole door needed replacing for £1,100. These guys looked at it, said the gearbox was the only part that had gone, quoted £350 fixed. Fitted a GU Ferco replacement and the door closes better than it has for years. Straight talk, no upselling.
The questions every uPVC owner ends up asking eventually.
What kind of lock is fitted to a uPVC door?
Almost every modern uPVC door uses a multi-point locking system: a long metal strip running down the inside door edge (the gearbox) that drives several locking points into the frame — usually two hooks, two rollers and often a deadbolt or shootbolts at the top and bottom. The whole strip is operated by a euro cylinder (the keyed barrel) at the centre, which sits behind the handle backplate.
How do I know if my uPVC door lock is broken?
The common signs are: the handle lifts but does not lock, the door locks but will not unlock, the key turns without engaging the gearbox, the handle droops or feels floppy, or you hear a grinding sound when you lift the handle. Each of these points to a specific failed component. See our uPVC door lock repair page for full diagnostics.
Can a uPVC door lock be repaired or does it need replacing?
Most uPVC door lock failures can be repaired without replacing the whole door or the full multi-point strip. A failed gearbox can be swapped for a new centre case while keeping the original shoot bars and keeps. A snapped cylinder can be replaced with a 3-star model in 15 minutes. Full strip replacement is only necessary when the shoot bars themselves are bent or corroded.
Are uPVC door locks secure?
The multi-point mechanism itself is extremely secure — six or more locking points make the door almost impossible to force. The weak link is the euro cylinder. An unprotected standard cylinder can be snapped in under 30 seconds. Upgrading to a TS 007 3-star or SS 312 Diamond anti-snap cylinder brings the whole door up to insurer-approved security.
What is the TS 007 3-star standard?
TS 007 is the British Standards specification for euro cylinder security. A 1-star cylinder meets basic requirements. A 3-star cylinder includes anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-drill protection. SS 312 Diamond is the equivalent Sold Secure rating. Either meets Secured by Design and is accepted by every mainstream UK home insurer.
How much does a uPVC door lock cost to replace in South London?
Euro cylinder replacement starts from £135 fitted. A TS 007 3-star anti-snap upgrade starts from £200. Gearbox-only multi-point repair starts from £350. Full multi-point strip replacement from £450. Handle replacement from £150. Every figure is a fixed starting price — no call-out fee, no VAT on top.
What brands of uPVC door locks do you fit?
We fit and carry stock of every major UK uPVC lock brand — Yale, ERA, Mila, GU Ferco, Fullex, Avocet, Winkhaus, Lockmaster and Fuhr. For cylinders we stock ABS, Avocet ABS, Yale Platinum 3-Star, Brisant Ultion and ERA Fortress 3-Star. Brand availability depends on the original door manufacturer — we identify yours from a photo of the gearbox or handle backplate.
Can I upgrade my uPVC door lock without replacing the door?
Yes — this is the most common upgrade we do. The euro cylinder is a standalone component that swaps out in 15 minutes. The gearbox inside the multi-point strip is also replaceable without touching the rest of the door. You can add a 3-star cylinder, a new gearbox and new handles for under £400 fitted, transforming security without buying a new door.
What is the difference between the gearbox and the cylinder?
The cylinder is the keyed barrel (the part the key goes into). The gearbox is the mechanism inside the multi-point strip that actually moves the hooks and rollers. The cylinder tells the gearbox whether to unlock. Both can fail independently. See our dedicated uPVC door lock mechanism page for a fuller breakdown.
Related lock types, repair services and areas we cover.
A uPVC door is rarely the only security item on a South London home. If you are upgrading or need more than one item on the same visit, the links below cover the full range of related work we do.
Explore the site
Related locks & problems
South London locations we cover
uPVC door lock fixed today across South London.
TS 007 3-star cylinders, matched gearboxes and handle assemblies on every van. Fixed prices from £135. No call-out fee, no VAT, 12-month guarantee. One photo on WhatsApp and the quote lands back before the kettle boils.
24/7 emergency locksmith serving South London since 2015 — trusted by homeowners, landlords and businesses across Sutton, Mitcham, Wallington, Cheam, Purley and surrounding areas.