Losing your car keys is frustrating enough without then having to work out exactly what you need to do next.
Do you simply need a replacement key? Should the missing key be removed from the car’s system? Or, if you think somebody else may have it, do you need to rekey the vehicle completely?
We deal with lost and stolen car keys regularly across Norfolk and Suffolk, and the right answer usually comes down to one question: do you know where the old key might be?
When Is a Replacement Car Key Enough?
If you’ve genuinely lost a key and there is no reason to think somebody has deliberately taken it, a replacement key may be all you need.
We can come to your vehicle and, in most cases, cut and programme a new key on-site. We don’t need an existing key to make a replacement, so even if you’ve lost your only one, it doesn’t mean the car needs to be taken to a dealership.
Replacement car keys start from £80.00 (+VAT) for a non-remote key, £120.00 (+VAT) for a remote key and £140.00 (+VAT) for a keyless key.
If all your keys have been lost, we can also remove the missing keys from the vehicle’s system as part of the work, preventing them from being used to start the car.
That solves the electronic side of the problem, but there is another point to consider.
What If My Car Keys Have Been Stolen?
If you believe somebody has stolen your key, we would normally recommend looking at a full rekey rather than simply supplying another one.
That’s because removing a key from the vehicle’s electronic system doesn’t necessarily stop the physical blade being used in the door lock.
With a full rekey, we change the internal workings of the locks and ignition, remove the old keys from the vehicle’s system and provide you with a new set of keys. Once the work is finished, the missing key should no longer give somebody access to your car.
This is particularly important if your keys have been stolen alongside something that identifies where you live or where the vehicle is normally kept.
What About a Stolen Car That Has Been Recovered?
We would also strongly consider rekeying if your car has been stolen and later recovered, particularly if the keys are still missing.
You simply don’t know who may still have access to them.
Our rekeying service starts from £300.00 (+VAT), and we carry the work out at your location. Most jobs take a few hours, with the process normally complete within around three days of the initial enquiry.
It can also be considerably quicker and less expensive than arranging the same work through a dealership.
Can You Rekey Any Car?
We can rekey most cars and vans on the road including vehicles from:
- Audi
- Ford
- Honda
- Land Rover
- Peugeot
- Skoda
- Vauxhall
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
The exact process varies between vehicles because different manufacturers use different locking, immobiliser and key systems. That’s why we’ll normally ask for your registration number when you contact us. It helps us identify the vehicle and work out exactly what is required before we arrive.
Not Sure Which Option You Need?
You don’t need to diagnose the problem yourself.
If you’ve lost your keys, had them stolen or aren’t sure whether somebody else could have access to your vehicle, give us a call and explain what has happened. We’ll talk you through the situation and tell you whether a straightforward replacement key is enough or whether rekeying would be the safer option.
Our aim is simple: get you back into your car while making sure you’re comfortable that nobody else can.