What to do first
Before you panic, work through the cheap options. Check pockets, bags, between the seats, and anywhere keys get dropped on the way in, then call anyone who has a spare. A surprising number of “lost” keys turn up in the car itself, in a coat at work, or with a partner, neighbour or family member who has a spare.
If you have breakdown cover, check your policy: some providers include lost-key assistance or will recover the car to a garage. It will not replace the key for free, but it can get the car somewhere it can be worked on, which matters if you cannot get the key cut on site.
If the key is genuinely gone and there is no spare, you have two routes: the dealer or an auto locksmith.
Dealer vs auto locksmith
The main dealer can supply a key cut and programmed to your car’s VIN. It is the most expensive option, typically ┬ú200ÔÇô┬ú400 or more depending on the make and the key type, and it is often slow: you may need to wait for the key to be ordered in, and the car may need to be taken or towed to the dealership.
A local auto locksmith is usually the cheaper and faster alternative. They come to you, cut the key on site where possible, and programme the chip or remote on the spot, meaning you are not stuck waiting for a dealer appointment. Because they are independent, their prices are typically well below dealer rates, and they are used to working on the car outside the house or on the street. Many locksmiths list auto work as a service, so searching for an auto locksmith near you will show who covers your car’s make.
How much does car key replacement cost?
The price depends mostly on the type of key your car uses:
- Standard key (metal, no chip), ┬ú50ÔÇô┬ú120. Older cars with plain keys are the cheapest to replace.
- Transponder / chip key (plastic head, immobiliser chip inside), ┬ú120ÔÇô┬ú250. The chip must be programmed to the car, which is most of the work.
- Remote / key fob (buttons to lock and unlock, often with a blade folded inside), ┬ú150ÔÇô┬ú300+. The fob and the immobiliser chip both need programming.
- Dealer-supplied keys, ┬ú200ÔÇô┬ú400+, and slow, as above.
Older cars are cheaper, a 20-year-old hatchback with a plain key can be sorted for well under £100, while a modern premium car with a smart fob is at the top of the range. Ask for a firm total before they start, including the programming. For context on how these compare with other locksmith work, see our full locksmith cost guide.
What you’ll need to prove ownership
A locksmith will not cut and programme a key for just anyone, that would make car theft too easy. Expect to show:
- Photo ID, driving licence or passport.
- Proof of ownership, the V5C logbook, ideally in your name, or proof of address matching your details.
A legitimate auto locksmith will always ask for this. If someone offers to replace your car key with no questions asked, that is a red flag, not a convenience.
Avoid car-key scams
Car-key replacement is a target for two kinds of scam. The first is the suspiciously low phone quote that jumps once the locksmith arrives, “the chip is a newer version”, “the fob needs a different programmer”, until you are paying far more than a dealer would have charged. The second is being pressured to pay before the key works.
Protect yourself: agree the total in writing (a text message or email is fine) before they start, and pay only once the new key locks and starts the car. Check whether they carry insurance and can give a receipt.
Find an auto locksmith near you
Search this directory for a locksmith who lists auto work in their services, their rates are visible before you call, and you deal with them directly rather than through a call-centre markup.
Find an auto locksmith near you and compare two or three quotes. If you are in a major city, locksmiths in Glasgow or locksmiths in Bristol are a good place to start. And if the car is locked rather than the key lost, see whether a locksmith can open your car without a key, it may be a cheaper fix than a replacement.