Lost My Only Car Key — What Do I Do?
With no working key left, the usual route is an all-keys-lost replacement: a new key is cut to the vehicle and programmed to the immobiliser, in most cases at the roadside.
Read the full answerPlain answers to the questions we get asked on the phone every week — what a transponder actually does, why a key stops working, and what a replacement really depends on. No sales pitch, just the information that helps you decide what to do next.
With no working key left, the usual route is an all-keys-lost replacement: a new key is cut to the vehicle and programmed to the immobiliser, in most cases at the roadside.
Read the full answerYes, on the majority of vehicles. A key can be cut from the lock or from vehicle data and then programmed to the car, once ownership has been confirmed.
Read the full answerCost depends on the key type your vehicle uses, the programming involved and whether any working key remains. A registration allows a specific quote rather than a guess.
Read the full answerA dealer normally needs the vehicle brought in. A mobile auto locksmith travels to the car, which matters when there is no key to drive it with.
Read the full answerMost failures come down to a flat fob battery, a worn key blade, damaged internal contacts or a fault in the remote circuit board.
Read the full answerOften yes. Cracked shells, failed buttons and snapped blades can frequently be repaired while retaining the existing electronics.
Read the full answerMany smart and proximity keys can be programmed by an auto locksmith with the right equipment, though support varies by make, model and year.
Read the full answerRegistration, make, model, year, where the vehicle is, whether any working key remains, and proof that the vehicle is yours.
Read the full answerA transponder key contains a small chip that answers a signal from the immobiliser. Without the right response the engine will not start, even with a correctly cut blade.
Read the full answerA remote key needs a button press and is usually turned in the ignition. A smart key stays in your pocket, unlocking and starting the car by proximity.
Read the full answerStill Not Sure?
Call 01962 458094 with your registration and we will tell you what your vehicle needs.