Oct 16, 2026 · 4,691 recorded views
The new shield is available for the Nissan Primastar: the Nissan Primastar (2001-2014) Rear Barn Door External Repair Shield, brushed stainless. It is made from 2mm stainless steel and fixes over the factory handle with 12 x M6 studs, nuts and washers, so those fixings help stop a thief simply ripping the handle off to reach the door latch. It also covers an existing hole in the rear barn door. It comes with a gasket, fitting kit and full fitting instructions, and can be bought parts only or professionally fitted.
13 Years Later, Thieves STILL Use This Van Break-In Method! (Vivaro, Trafic & Primastar)
Between 2001 and 2014, the Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar were among the UK's most popular commercial vans. Unfortunately, their rear barn door handles became a common target for thieves, who could rip the handle from the door to attack the locking mechanism.
Back in 2013, I published a YouTube video demonstrating how we repaired this type of damage and upgraded the van's security by fitting a SlamHandle — a replacement handle incorporating a slamlock.
For the last 13 years, van owners searching for a solution to this problem have been able to find that original video.
But there's now a problem.
The manufacturers have discontinued these replacement SlamHandles as the original vans have aged, leaving owners without the security and repair solution we previously recommended.
And the vulnerability hasn't simply disappeared. The same rear door handle design continues to be used on certain high-roof Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar vehicles.
So we've developed a new solution.
Our new external stainless steel security shield bolts over the original rear door handle, providing several benefits:
In this video, I revisit my original footage from 2013, explain why this break-in method is still relevant in 2026 and demonstrate our latest security shield.
At Sussex Installations, we've specialised in van security since 2008, investigating real break-ins, developing security products and manufacturing vehicle-specific protection here in the UK.
Find out more:
https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk/
Did you own a Vivaro, Trafic or Primastar that suffered this type of break-in? Have you previously fitted one of our recommended SlamHandles? Let us know in the comments.
#VanSecurity #VauxhallVivaro #RenaultTrafic #NissanPrimastar #VanTheft #VanSecurityShields #SussexInstallations
Historical context: This video records the advice, products and attack methods relevant when it was published. Current recommendations may have changed as vehicles, products and criminal methods evolved.
Yes. Jeff Scott explains that this old-school break-in method is still happening 13 or 14 years after he first filmed it. The vans were made between 2001 and 2014, but the same rear door handle design is still used on certain high-roof Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar vehicles, and thieves rip the handle from the door to attack the locking mechanism.
The manufacturers have discontinued the replacement SlamHandles as the original vans have aged. Sussex Installations has developed an external stainless steel security shield that bolts over the original rear door handle. It helps prevent the handle being ripped out, strengthens the surrounding door panel, covers existing damage around the handle and gives an alternative security and repair solution.
In the repair shown, a replacement handle was bolted in place top and bottom and the hammered-back metal behind it was straightened. The shield then fits over the top of the handle and its studs, covering damage around the outside of the handle and giving the handle an extra securing point so it cannot simply be pulled out again.
Transcript source: the YouTube auto-generated transcript, re-grouped into longer passages with corrections to misheard words (for example Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro, Nissan Primastar and "high top") and with the music-only sections removed. Automated transcripts can contain recognition errors and should be checked against the original video.
