I thought I would add another little bit to this. Not to do with the barrel lock, but the RAC call out because barrel lock broken meant I couldn't unlock the door.
I have never been an RAC customer before, having always been an AA member. So I used the app to call them out.
Nope can't do that - phone us
Phoned them - oh that 's a key problem, we don't cover keys .
Me -Ummmm no it's a lock out problem. The keys are fine
Her- Ohhhh I don't know it seems like a key problem
Me - Ummmm no the mechanic told me to inform you it is a lock out problem and get you to call him out. The key is fine. It's the barrel lock that came out. I took the key out of it and have the key in my hand.
Her - Oh but the key won't open the door.
Me - well it would but the barrel lock is broken. It is a lock out, not a key issue. The key is fine.
Her - Oh can you hold whilst I speak with my manager?
Me - Yeah sure.
5 minutes later....
Her - Sorry for the delay. Yes we can call him out.
Mechanic turns up. Golden Girl unlocked.
Now here comes the kicker.
Message comes through: please be aware if you call us out for the same problem, we will not cover this.
Followed by: please rate your experience
Soooo I phoned to double check the ' we won't come' message. The response was , yes that's correct. We don't attend if it is a problem that has happened before in a membership year.
I have never in all my years had the AA say they will not come out. As most will know I have a few battery issues, because I don't do a lot of mileage. I also own an L322
If over the years the AA had had the 'once a year' policy, I, and I am sure many other Range Rover owners would have been stuffed.
Needless to say when my policy is up I am returning to the AA fold. Where they don't try to wriggle out of attending, keys are covered as standard, and they understand similar issues can occur more than once.
Moral of the story: stay away from RAC.