In Used Cars Simulator by DreamWay Games, lockpicks are purchased exclusively at the Break-in Store located inside Lake Camp, a secluded hideout in the northern swamp area of the map. They are sold in a pack of five for $500.
You will need lockpicks to quietly open locked vehicles when engaging in illegal car theft, allowing you to access the cabin and hotwire the ignition without shattering windows or reducing car value.
Break-in Store Location in Lake Camp
The Break-in Store (labeled in earlier development versions as the Lockpick Store) is tucked inside Lake Camp in the northern region of the map.
To reach this location:
- Head to any local bus stop in town.
- Select the Center transit route and choose the Lakeside Forest East stop.
- Walk or drive past the camp entrance gate into the swamp settlement.
- Follow the camp path past the camp boss to find the vendor stalls. The Break-in Store sits next to the License Plate Store and the collector bat vendor.
Players can also drive directly to the camp using a truck or passenger vehicle via the northern dirt roads heading into the woods, though taking the bus costs only $20 and saves travel time.
How to Unlock the Ability to Buy Lockpicks
While you can visit Lake Camp once you have access to the open world, acquiring lockpicks naturally fits into the early criminal questline provided by the camp boss:
- Talk to the power station contact near your initial shed. After completing your first legitimate car flips, he mentions that the best deals are not always legal and provides the secret password: "Oranges."
- Travel to Lake Camp and speak with the camp boss. Tell him "Oranges" to initiate business.
- Prove you are not an undercover cop. The boss instructs you to buy a baseball bat from the camp collector store for $200.
- Drive to the trailer park and destroy the trailer park leader's car until its damage reaches at least 75%.
- Return to the Lake Camp boss. Having earned his trust, he will formally direct you to purchase lockpicks and a matching hotwire kit from the nearby Break-in Store to begin stealing cars.
Lockpick Pricing and Break-In Equipment Overview
Illegal vehicle theft requires multiple items sold across Lake Camp vendors. Lockpicks handle the door entry, while separate kits and tools handle ignition and plate swapping.
| Item | Price | Vendor Location | In-Game Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockpicks (Pack of 5) | $500 | Break-in Store (Lake Camp) | Unlocks car doors via a sequence minigame |
| Hotwire Kit (e.g., Sportwagen Wolf) | ~$396 – $400 | Break-in Store (Lake Camp) | Hacks ignition for specific vehicle models |
| Hotwire Kit (High-End, e.g., McLorreta) | Up to ~$9,840 | Break-in Store (Lake Camp) | Ignition kit for luxury/sports models |
| Baseball Bat | $200 | Collector Bat Store (Lake Camp) | Melee tool used for boss quest or breaking glass |
| Almost Legal License Plate | ~$420 – $12,300+ | License Plate Store (Lake Camp) | Replaces original stolen plate to fool police |
| Angle Grinder | Free (from boss) or $500 | Camp Boss / Hardware Store | Cuts off the original vehicle license plate |
How Lockpicking Works
Once you acquire a pack of lockpicks, locate your target vehicle in the open world or through sale listings:
- Walk up to the driver's side door and interact to initiate the lock-breaking sequence.
- Complete the directional combination minigame on your screen (inputting arrow keys or D-pad sequences such as Up, Up, Down).
- Once the sequence matches, the door unlocks.
- Sit in the driver seat and select your model-compatible hotwire kit from your inventory to hack the ignition with a second directional puzzle.
Lockpicking vs. Smashing Windows
Players can also gain entry to a car by knocking out the seller and smashing a window with a baseball bat or tool. However, using a lockpick prevents unnecessary structural body damage and saves you from having to order and install replacement glass panels before listing the car for sale.
Related Lockpicking Achievements
Using lockpicks to break into vehicles contributes toward multiple Steam achievements:
- Pick A Lock: Picked your first lock in the game.
- Pick 10 Locks: Successfully opened 10 locks.
- Pick 20 Locks: Successfully opened 20 locks.
- Steal A Car: Stole your first vehicle after bypassing security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy lockpicks from your garage computer or the town hardware store?
No. The standard hardware store and your garage computer only sell legal repair tools and automotive replacement parts. Lockpicks and hotwire kits can only be bought in person from the Break-in Store at Lake Camp.
Can you sell leftover lockpicks?
Yes. Official game updates added the ability to sell lockpicks, hotwire kits, and license plates directly from your inventory screen if you have excess stock.
What should you do if police pursue you after picking a lock?
Breaking into a car raises your criminality and notoriety meter. To escape pursuit, drive toward designated hiding spots (such as your personal repair shed garage) or outrun police cruisers on straight asphalt roads before cutting off the old plates and installing an "Almost Legal" plate.
