How much will it cost is the first question everyone asks when they need a new car key. The honest answer is that it depends on your make, model and the type of key, but unlike a lot of the trade, we publish clear from-prices so there are no surprises. Here is what to expect.

What affects the price of a car key

Modern car keys are far more than a cut blade, and the electronics inside are what drive the cost. The main factors are:

• Key type, a basic transponder key is cheaper than a remote flip key, which is cheaper than a keyless proximity smart key.
• Whether you have a spare, cloning an existing key is cheaper than generating a new one from scratch.
• Your make and model, some high-security and prestige vehicles need more advanced programming.

Car key prices by service

These are our mobile, on-site from-prices across the North West:

• Spare or duplicate key, from £94.95
• All keys lost (new key), from £179.95
• Car unlocking / lockout, from £94.95
• Key fob repair, from £129.95
• Key programming, from £84.95
• Ignition and barrel repair, from £239.95

You can see prices for your specific make on our vehicles pages.

Why is a dealer more expensive?

A main dealer usually needs the car recovered to them, charges a premium for the key and programming, and can keep the vehicle in for the day. Because we come to you and do everything on-site, we cut out the recovery cost and the markup, which is why we are typically 30 to 60 percent cheaper.

Do keyless and smart keys cost more?

Usually a little, yes. Keyless push-to-start and proximity smart keys have more complex electronics and take longer to code, so they sit at the higher end. We still program them on-site and always give you the price before we start.

Are there any hidden charges?

No. There is no call-out fee, you only pay on completion, and for lockouts we work on a no access, no fee basis. Every key we cut and program is backed by a 12-month warranty.

Want a guide price for your car? Tell us your reg and make and we will give you a no-obligation quote. We cover Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester and the wider North West.

When something goes wrong with your car keys, the last thing you want is to be passed between a dealer, a breakdown service and a locksmith. As a dedicated mobile auto locksmith, we handle every part of car key repair and replacement ourselves, and we come to you. Here is everything we cover.

Spare and duplicate keys

The cheapest insurance for your car. If you still have a working key, we cut and code a spare or duplicate key on your driveway from £94.95, so you are never caught out.

Lost or stolen keys

Lost every key? No tow needed. Our all keys lost service reads your immobiliser, generates a brand-new key from scratch and wipes the missing keys for your security.

Locked out of your car

Keys locked inside, in the boot, or snapped in the door? We use non-destructive car unlocking to get you back in without a scratch, usually within about 30 minutes.

Key fob and remote repair

Worn buttons, a cracked case, water damage or a flat battery? Rather than buy a whole new key, we repair and re-shell your key fob on-site for a fraction of the cost.

Ignition and barrel repair

Key stuck, will not turn, or the ignition worn out? We repair and replace ignition barrels and lock sets at your location, matched to your existing key where possible.

Key programming and coding

Bought a key online or need a smart key coded? We program transponder, remote and keyless keys to your vehicle with dealer-level diagnostics.

Broken key extraction

Snapped a key in the lock or ignition? We carefully remove the broken piece with broken key extraction and cut you a fresh working key on the spot.

Vans and commercial vehicles

Keeping your fleet moving matters, so we cut, program and replace keys for vans and commercial vehicles, from Transit and Sprinter to Vivaro and beyond.

Every make on the road

Whatever you drive, we have the key. We cover every make from Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen to BMW, Mercedes, Audi and prestige marques, see your make for models and prices on our dedicated brand pages.

Wherever you are in the North West

Our mobile units cover the whole region: Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, St Helens, Wigan, Widnes and Runcorn, Chester and the Wirral. See every area we cover.

One team, one call, whatever your car key problem, we have it covered. Browse the makes we cover and the areas we serve, or get in touch below.

Losing your car keys is stressful, especially if it is your only set. The good news is that it is a very common problem and almost always fixable the same day. Here is exactly what to do, step by step.

1. Do not panic, retrace your steps

Most lost keys turn up close to home. Before anything else, calmly check the usual places: coat and trouser pockets, bags, the front door lock, the ignition and door of the car, bins, and any surfaces where you last had them. If you were out, call the last places you visited to ask if anything has been handed in.

2. Make sure your car is secure

If there is any chance your keys were stolen rather than mislaid, treat it seriously. A lost or stolen key can be used to unlock and, in many cases, start your car. Park it somewhere safe if you can, and consider having the missing keys wiped from the vehicle so they can no longer be used, something a good auto locksmith does as standard when cutting your new key.

3. Do you still have a spare?

If you have a second working key you are in the cheapest position. We can clone or duplicate it into a spare key on-site, from £94.95, so you are never caught out again. If a key is damaged rather than lost, we also handle fob repair and re-shelling.

4. If you have lost every key

Losing your only key sounds like a disaster, but it is routine for a mobile locksmith. Using dealer-level diagnostic equipment we read your immobiliser, generate a brand-new key from scratch and program it to your vehicle on the spot. This is called an all keys lost job, and there is no need to have the car towed anywhere. If your keys are locked inside the car, we can also get you back in with non-destructive car unlocking.

5. Dealer, locksmith or breakdown cover?

You have three options, and they are not equal:

• Main dealer, usually the most expensive and slowest. The car often has to be recovered to them, and you may wait days for an appointment.
• Breakdown cover, great for getting you moving, but most providers cannot cut or program a key and will call an auto locksmith anyway.
• Mobile auto locksmith, comes to you, cuts and codes the key on-site, and is typically 30 to 60 percent cheaper than a dealer.

How much does a replacement car key cost?

It depends on your make, model and key type, but as a guide our from-prices are: a spare or duplicate key from £94.95, a full all keys lost replacement from £179.95, fob repair from £129.95 and programming from £84.95. There is no call-out fee and you only pay on completion. See prices for your make on our vehicles pages.

What you will need

To make a new key we need the vehicle present, your registration and the make, model and year, plus proof that the car is yours, usually a V5C logbook or insurance document with matching photo ID. These checks make sure a key can only ever be cut for the rightful owner.

Locked out or lost your keys right now? We cover Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester and the wider North West, 6am to 8pm, seven days a week.