Job completed in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent · September 2026
The problem: a Volkswagen Golf Mk6 TDI whose key had been getting stiffer for weeks — then stopped turning altogether, with the steering wheel locked solid. The owner had tried the steering-wheel rock, both keys, and a lot of patience. Nothing.
What we found: on this generation of Golf the ignition barrel and the steering lock are one cast unit. The lock mechanism inside had worn to the point where the barrel could no longer rotate, so the steering lock never released. A classic high-mileage Golf fault — and one that only gets worse with every forced turn.
What we did: replaced the complete ignition and steering lock unit at the customer's home, then pinned the new barrel to the original key, so the customer keeps one key for doors and ignition — no second key to carry. Tested, steering unlocked, engine running, all in a single visit on the driveway. No recovery truck, no dealer booking.
Cost: ignition barrel and steering lock repair or replacement from £150, call-out and labour included, with a 2-year warranty. The price was confirmed on the phone before we set off.
Before you call anyone, try the steering-lock trick in our key stuck in ignition guide — it frees the wheel in about a third of cases. If the key still won't turn, or both keys behave the same, it's the barrel, and it's a job we do at your location.
Similar problem in Tunbridge Wells or nearby? We cover Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and the surrounding villages 24/7 — see our Tunbridge Wells auto locksmith page, or the ignition barrel replacement service for what's included. Call 07777 676261 or WhatsApp us with your make, model and what the key is doing.