Thieves broke into PSB Motorbodies, in Walmsley Street, Rishton, and tried to steal a car.
After breaking a lock and chain securing the gates to the site, they got into the building through a window and stole keys to some of the cars parked in the yard.
Police said the offenders tampered with ignition of one vehicle and started to reverse it.
But they left it where it was after damaging it.
They made off with a power drill from Woolworths, worth £20.
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