If you've lost a car key or need a spare, the first question is always the same: how much is this going to cost me? The honest answer is that it depends on your car and your situation — anywhere from around £50 for a simple repair to a few hundred pounds for a lost-only-key on a prestige model. This guide breaks down the real 2026 UK prices so you know what's fair before you call anyone, and so nobody can overcharge you.
We're a mobile auto locksmith covering Greater London, Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex — we cut and program keys at your location, usually the same day, for a fraction of dealer prices. Below are our actual prices, plus honest guidance on what changes them.
Want a price for your exact car right now? Tell us the make, model, and year, and we'll give you an honest quote in minutes — no obligation, no dealer markup.
Our starting prices across all makes:
These are starting prices. The exact figure depends on a few things — which we'll explain honestly below, because the biggest way people get overcharged is not understanding what actually drives the price.
Two identical-looking jobs can cost very differently. Here's what moves the number, so you can judge any quote for yourself:
This is the single biggest factor. If you have a working key, a spare can be copied and programmed quickly — that's the from-£79 job. If you've lost every key ("all keys lost"), the new key has to be generated from the car itself, which takes longer and needs more equipment — that's the from-£119 job. Same car, very different price, purely because of whether a working key exists.
Prestige and newer vehicles (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Land Rover, and similar) use more complex security systems, so their keys cost more to supply and program than a mainstream hatchback. It's not markup — it's the part and the equipment the car demands.
This is where most people overpay. A main dealer typically means the car recovered to them (£100–£300 towing if it won't start), a key ordered in, and days or weeks of waiting — often running well into four figures once everything's added. A mobile auto locksmith comes to the car, does the whole job on the spot, and almost always costs significantly less. Same key, very different total.
The smartest money you'll spend on your car. A spare cut and programmed while you still have a working key is far cheaper than replacing a lost-only-key later — and it means you're never one dropped key away from a stranded car. If you've only ever had one key, this is the job to book before you need it.
Lost every key, or bought a used car with only one? Still fully solvable at your location, no towing — the new key is generated from the vehicle. Costs more than a spare because of the extra time and equipment, and you'll need your V5C and ID so we can confirm you own the car.
Often overlooked. If your key has snapped, the buttons have worn out, or the remote's stopped working, a repair is frequently cheaper than a whole new key. A snapped blade can usually be extracted and recut; a tired fob can often be rebuilt. Always worth asking before paying for a replacement.
Keys locked inside the car isn't a key-replacement job at all — it's a non-destructive entry, quicker and cheaper. Your locks, paintwork, and seals stay intact. Don't let anyone talk you into a "new lock" for a simple lockout.
1. Free phone quote. You give us the make, model, year, and situation. We quote before we set off — no surprises on arrival.
2. We come to the car. Home, work, roadside, car park — the car doesn't move.
3. Ownership check. ID and vehicle documents, every time. It's what stops a stolen car getting a key made — it protects you.
4. Cut, program, test. The key is cut and programmed to your car with dealer-grade equipment; you watch it work before paying.
5. Pay on completion. Card, cash, or bank transfer — after the job's done, not before. Every job carries our 2-year warranty.
Ready for a real price? A two-minute call gets you an honest quote for your exact car — and if you're stranded, we can often be there within the hour across London, Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex.
Every make has its own key types and security systems. For guidance specific to your car — including the common faults and what a key costs — see our make pages:
Is a locksmith really cheaper than the dealer? In most cases, substantially — and that's before you count the towing and the days off the road the dealer route usually adds. We do the job where the car stands, so there's no recovery cost and no wait.
Can you make a key with no working key at all? Yes. All-keys-lost is routine work with proper diagnostic equipment — the key is generated from the car itself, at your location. Bring your V5C and ID.
Why is my quote different from my friend's for "the same" job? Almost always the key type or whether a working key exists. A basic blade for a 2010 hatchback and a keyless fob for a 2023 SUV are very different jobs, even though both are "a car key."
Should I buy a key online and just get it programmed? Sometimes that works — but the wrong blank is money wasted, and some keys must be supplied and programmed together. Ask first; we'll tell you honestly whether it'll save you anything.
Will a new key affect my car's warranty or insurance? No — key cutting and programming is standard automotive work and doesn't void anything.
The quickest way to know exactly what your key will cost is a two-minute phone call — we quote honestly, up front, for your specific make and model.
Call 07777 676261 or WhatsApp us on +44 7777 676261, 24/7. For a written quote or to book a spare key while you still have a working one — always the cheapest option — use our contact form or see our full pricing page.