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Auto locksmith

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How can a car locksmith help you?

An auto locksmith is a trained professional who works with the lock and key system of vehicles. Unlike a traditional locksmith, an auto locksmith has specialist knowledge of a car’s internal computer system, allowing them to reprogram keys and key fobs to fix any problems with the locking system.

Chances are, you’ll know when you need an auto locksmith, as you won’t be able to use your keys to get into or start your car. Auto locksmiths can help with a range of problems, including:

  • Lost car keys 

  • An electronic car fob that no longer unlocks your car doors

  • A metal car key that no longer works, or breaks in your car doors

  • An electronic car fob that no longer starts your engine

  • A metal car key that no longer turns in the ignition to start your car

  • A broken or snapped metal car key

Auto locksmith costs

The average price of an auto locksmith booked is £278.16. However, the exact price of an auto locksmith and the costs involved in getting your car keys working properly again will depend on a number of factors, including the type of vehicle you have. A key replacement for example costs around £281.78, based on WhoCanFixMyCar data.

Below, you can find the average auto locksmith price for a range of popular car makes.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£268.92
BMW£301.58
Citroen£359.89
Ford£291.32
Honda£229.20
Hyundai£225.14
Jaguar£491.50
Mercedes£251.85
Nissan£350.68
Peugeot£233.95
Renault£295.81
SEAT£286.62
Vauxhall£258.68
Volkswagen£218.22

Find a car locksmith near you

Most car locksmiths are mobile because if you need your car locks repaired and replaced, it’s likely that you’re not able to get yourself to a garage to solve the problem.

You can find trusted auto locksmith on WhoCanFixMyCar to help you out, and comparing them by review score and price is the best way to get a qualified and quality service.

How do you find a mobile auto locksmith service?

1. Enter your reg and postcode

2. Leave some details, to be able to get in touch with the garage

3. Compare quotes and find mechanics that come to you

Which car locksmith service do I need? 

Your vehicle’s locking system is complex, so it can be challenging to understand what an auto locksmith does and the types of services they provide. Whether you have an all-electronic key, a manual metal key, or one of each, will dictate which kind of service you need. Broadly speaking, your car locksmith will either carry out a key replacement or a repair.

  • Auto locksmith

    The average cost of an auto locksmith booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £278.16.

    An auto locksmith will be able to visit you at home and diagnose your car key or lock problems. They can perform repairs on the spot and give you replacement car keys if yours are lost. If the problem is with the car locks themselves, an auto locksmith will carry out the fix to give you access to your vehicle again.

    Can include
    • Inspection and diagnosis
    • Car lock repairs
    • Electronic car fob repair
    • Manual car key repair
    • Electronic key replacements
    • Manual key replacements
  • Key replacement

    The average cost of a car key replacement booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £281.78. If your car key is lost or stolen, a specialist auto locksmith can supply you with a new key designed to fit the lock of your car, or,

    Can include
    • Car key replacement
  • Car key programming and coding

    The average cost of car key programming booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £250.33.

    Electronic keys are highly convenient and secure, but like anything, they can become damaged and stop working. When your car begins to fail to recognise your key's unique code, it's time to get it reprogrammed. An auto locksmith can diagnose and recode your car keys to help you get back on the road.

    Can include
    • Key card reprogramming
    • Remote fob reprogramming
    • Flip key reprogramming

Common automotive locksmith repairs

The most common type of auto locksmith service is a car key replacement. As everybody knows, it’s easy to lose your keys and it can be very inconvenient when this happens. 

If you own your car and have an electronic fob to your key, you can call an auto locksmith who will be able to bring a brand new set of keys and programme them to the car’s internal system. After this, your old keys, wherever they may be, will no longer work. 

However, if your car is leased or rented, this isn’t an option because reprogramming your car keys will mean the spare ones your dealership has won’t work anymore. Instead, you’ll need to contact the dealership to organise getting a replacement.

Aside from losing them, there’s a range of issues that can occur with your car keys. Sometimes, the electronics on a car key fob can break, meaning that the radio transmitter no longer communicates with your car properly. Or, the key itself can snap or break in the door or ignition. 

An auto locksmith can help in both these situations, reprogramming your electronic fob or cutting your key, so you have the right repair to get you on the road again.

When do I need a car lock replacement?

A car lock replacement isn’t a very common job anymore. Modern cars are fitted with electronic locks, so fixing your car lock will instead involve reprogramming it.

An auto locksmith will be able to tap into your car’s internal computer and reprogram the lock. They’ll then provide you with a new key that can deactivate the new lock when you want to unlock your car.

You’ll need this service if you’ve had your car keys stolen or your current key is no longer functioning correctly.

What impacts the cost of a vehicle locksmith?

Several different factors impact the price you’ll pay for a vehicle locksmith. Knowing what they are can help you understand what to expect from the service.

  • The make and model of your vehicle: The higher the value of your car, the more you’ll pay for services done to it.

  • How modern your car is: Modern technology means reprogramming the system is a lot quicker than dealing with individual door locks.

  • Whether you have an electronic or manual key, or both: If you just need an electronic key reprogrammed to work the doors, it will likely cost less than if your manual key has snapped off inside the ignition.

  • Your location: Most auto locksmiths are mobile and need to come to you as you might struggle to get to a mechanic without being able to unlock your car. For this reason, it may cost you more if they need to travel long distances to get to you.

Electronic vs. manual car key repair

The type of car key you have will impact the kind of repair you’ll need.

A technician can easily reprogram electronic keys by tapping into your car’s internal computer system to get the keys working again. It’s a relatively quick and easy fix that an auto locksmith can do.

However, if you have a manual car key for the door or for turning on the engine, repairing or replacing the key will involve cutting a new key or even fixing the physical lock itself. This type of repair can be much more complex and may need to be resolved by your car’s dealership rather than an auto locksmith.

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How much does an auto locksmith cost?

The cost of a car locksmith will depend on the type of locks your car has and what the problem is. Reprogramming car keys can be done relatively easily, whereas cutting a new manual key may cost you more.

How often do you need an auto locksmith?

You should only need an auto locksmith if there’s an issue with your car key, meaning you either can’t get into your car or you can’t start the engine.

Does an auto locksmith fall under warranty?

Your car keys and your car locks don’t fall under most warranties. This means if you need an auto locksmith, you’ll need to pay for the service yourself.

Is a car locksmith covered by insurance?

Services from a car locksmith are not usually covered by insurance, which means you won’t be able to claim back the cost for new keys or a repaired lock. However, if you have contents insurance for your home and lose your keys, it might be worth checking that policy to see if they’re covered.

Do I need to get a car lock replacement for a leased car?

If your car lock breaks or is faulty on your leased car, you’ll need to get the problem fixed before returning your vehicle. You probably won’t be able to drive or return the car if there’s an issue with the lock.

How do I get a spare key for my car?

Your car’s dealership will be able to provide you with a spare key for your vehicle, should you lose yours. However, this can be expensive, so it’s worth checking if an auto locksmith can help before paying for a brand new car key.

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