Losing all your car keys is stressful and inconvenient—but it doesn't have to mean a tow truck to the dealer and a £500+ bill. Here's what you need to know about recovering from an all-keys-lost situation.
Don't Panic (And Don't Call the Dealer First)
Main dealers will happily charge premium prices for emergency key replacement. While they can certainly do the job, an experienced auto locksmith can often provide the same service for significantly less—and come to you.
What Happens During All-Keys-Lost Recovery?
1. Non-Destructive Entry
A professional auto locksmith will gain entry to your vehicle without damaging locks or windows. Specialist tools allow us to open virtually any vehicle cleanly.
2. Key Generation
For vehicles with traditional bladed keys, we can cut a new key to the lock using the vehicle's lock code or by decoding the existing locks.
3. Immobiliser Programming
This is the critical step. Your new key must be programmed to your vehicle's immobiliser system. Depending on the vehicle, this may require:
- Reading security PIN codes from the vehicle's modules
- Connecting to manufacturer online servers
- Extracting cryptographic data from the immobiliser ECU
4. Remote/Keyless Programming
If your vehicle has remote central locking or keyless entry, the remote functions need to be synchronised to the vehicle.
How Long Does It Take?
Most all-keys-lost jobs can be completed in 1-3 hours depending on the vehicle make and model. Some high-security vehicles (Mercedes FBS4, newer BMWs with BDC) may require additional time.
What Do I Need to Provide?
- Proof of ownership: V5C logbook in your name
- Photo ID: Driving licence or passport
- Vehicle location: We come to you
Cost Comparison
| Service | Main Dealer | Auto Locksmith |
|---|---|---|
| All Keys Lost (Ford/Vauxhall) | £350-500+ | £150-280 |
| All Keys Lost (BMW/Mercedes) | £600-1000+ | £300-500 |
| All Keys Lost (Land Rover) | £800-1200+ | £400-600 |
Prices are indicative and vary by model year and specification.
Need help now? Contact us for a fast response across Ilkeston, Derby, and Nottingham.