Need a car locksmith? Here is everything you need to know before you call one.
What a locksmith can and cannot do, how much it costs, and the one thing most of them will never mention that could save your car from being stolen.
A car locksmith helps you get back into your vehicle or get a new key cut.
Car locksmiths are trained specialists who can help with a range of problems, from a locked door when you have lost your keys, to cutting and programming a new key to match your vehicle’s immobiliser. Most work mobile, coming out to wherever your car is.
Here are the most common reasons people call a car locksmith in the UK.
- Locked out of your car. You have left your keys inside or lost them. A locksmith can open most modern vehicles without damaging the lock or window.
- Lost or stolen keys. A locksmith can cut a new key and, for modern vehicles, programme it so it works with your car’s system.
- Broken key in the lock. If a key has snapped inside the door or ignition, a locksmith can extract it and provide a replacement.
- Faulty door lock. If a lock mechanism has worn out or jammed, a locksmith can repair or replace it.
- Keyless entry fob not working. Sometimes a transponder fob needs reprogramming after a battery change or system reset.
For key cutting, programming, and vehicle access in the UK, search for locksmiths registered with the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) at masterlocksmith.co.uk. MLA-approved locksmiths have been vetted and carry proper credentials, which matters when someone is working on your vehicle.
Car locksmith costs in the UK vary a lot. Here is a rough guide.
Prices depend on your vehicle make, the type of job, the time of day, and how far the locksmith has to travel. Below is a general range for common jobs, based on typical UK market rates. Always ask for a written quote before any work starts.
Opening a locked car
Roughly £60 to £120 during normal hours. Evening and weekend call-outs can be higher. Most jobs take under 30 minutes.
Replacement key (basic)
A cut key for an older vehicle without transponder technology typically starts at around £30 to £60.
Replacement key (transponder)
Modern keys that need programming to the vehicle’s ECU can cost £150 to £350 or more depending on the make and model.
Replacement fob (keyless entry)
Full keyless fobs with remote programming can range from £200 to £500 for premium vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, and Range Rover.
Note: these are indicative ranges only. Prices change depending on the vehicle, location, and locksmith. Always get a quote upfront.
Getting a new key is one thing. Making sure nobody can use it to steal your car is another.
Here is something worth thinking about. If your keys were lost or stolen, a locksmith can cut you a new one and reprogram it. That solves your immediate problem. But if your old key is out there, a thief may not need it at all.
Most modern car thefts do not use a key. They use a relay attack device that amplifies your new key’s signal from inside your home, tricks your car into thinking the key is right there, and starts the engine in under 60 seconds. The same method that worked before still works after your locksmith visit, because the problem was never the key. It was the lack of a physical layer of security that has nothing to do with keys at all.
A relay attack cannot bypass a physical immobiliser. When the engine circuit is cut at the relay level, completely separate from your key fob and your car’s electronics, there is nothing for a relay device to work with. The car simply will not start, regardless of what key signal is being broadcast.
This is what we do at LockCar. We are not a locksmith service. We are a vehicle security company that designs, builds, and fits relay-based immobilisers across the UK. If you have just had new keys made and you want to make sure your car is properly protected going forward, we are the next call to make.
We fit the protection a locksmith cannot give you.
Our relay-based immobilisers physically cut your engine circuit, independently of your key, your fob, and your car’s computer. We design and build every device ourselves and come to your door to install it. No middlemen. One point of contact, end to end.
IC3ST, fitted
Standalone wireless immobiliser. App control, proximity TAG, motion detection. No extra unit needed.
IS357, fitted
Premium choice. 5m detection range, smartwatch support, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi app.
ONE Plus, fitted
Flagship. 4G remote, live camera, GPS tracking, night auto-immobilise, Face ID.
Find your system
Not sure which is right for your car? Take the quiz and get a personalised recommendation.
Questions people ask us most often.
Do you offer a car locksmith service?
We do not cut keys or open locked vehicles. We are a vehicle security company. We design, build, and fit immobilisers that protect your car from relay attacks and modern theft methods. If you need a locksmith right now, look for MLA-registered locksmiths at masterlocksmith.co.uk. Once your immediate issue is sorted, we are here to make sure it does not lead to a bigger problem down the line.
My car was broken into. What should I do next?
Report it to the police first and get a crime reference number, which you will need for your insurer. If your keys were taken, contact your insurer and your dealer about replacement keys and rekeying. Then think seriously about adding an aftermarket immobiliser. A replacement key does not stop the theft methods thieves are using today. A physical relay cut does.
Will a LockCar immobiliser work alongside my existing locksmith-fitted security?
Yes. Our system works independently of anything already on your vehicle. It does not connect to the CAN bus or any part of your car’s electronics, so there is no conflict with existing alarms, trackers, or locksmith-fitted hardware. It simply adds a separate physical layer of protection.
Can a thief bypass a LockCar immobiliser if they get a copy of my key?
No. Our system does not respond to key signals at all. It works at the engine circuit level. Even if a thief had an exact copy of your key and sat in the driver’s seat, the engine will not start without the correct TAG fob within range or an authorised command through the app. Key copying and relay attacks are simply not relevant to how our system works.
How quickly can you come out to fit one?
In most cases we can book within a few days. Send us a WhatsApp with your vehicle and location and we will confirm availability straight away. Most installations are done in under an hour at a time and place that suits you.
Sorted your locksmith issue? Now let’s make sure it does not happen again.
A proper immobiliser is the one layer of protection that actually stops modern car theft. Take our 60-second quiz and we will tell you exactly which system fits your vehicle.