Vehicle make & year
Newer German cars with smart-key encryption cost more in parts than an older Fiesta with a simple transponder. We carry both ends of the price spectrum.
Honest Prices
How Much Does a Car Key Replacement Cost?
Below is what we actually charge — real price bands for the work we do most often, with no surprise extras. Final quote is confirmed on the phone before we travel.
Fully Insured
DBS-Checked
No Call-Out Fee
12-Month Guarantee
Our Price Bands
All prices include the labour, the work on-site, and a 12-month guarantee. There is no separate call-out fee in our coverage area, and the quote you get on the phone is the price you pay.
| Service | Price band | Common scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Standard non-remote key (older vehicles) | £120–£160 | Cut to manufacturer code, transponder programmed on-site. Pre-2007 Fiesta, Astra, Corsa, older Transits and similar. |
| Remote key with cut key blade | £180–£260 | Cut, programmed and synced to the remote. Most modern Fords, Vauxhalls, Hyundais, Kias. |
| Smart key / proximity key | £280–£480 | Keyless-go fobs for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, late Ford, Range Rover, Tesla and similar. |
| Spare key (you have a working original) | £90–£280 | Less time on-site than an all-keys-lost job — savings passed back to you. |
| Key fob repair (case, blade, buttons) | £30–£80 | Often cheaper than a replacement if the electronics still work. Diagnosed on the spot. |
| Key fob replacement (programmed) | £80–£180 | When the existing fob is dead but the key blade is still serviceable. |
| Broken / snapped key extraction | £80–£120 | Removed from doors, boot locks or ignitions without damage. Replacement key extra. |
| Vehicle unlocking (no damage) | £80–£120 | Non-destructive entry. Doors, boots and frunks. |
Bands are non-binding ranges based on typical work over the past 12 months across South London, Surrey and Kent. Out-of-hours premiums (after 9pm) may apply for genuine emergency call-outs and are always quoted upfront.
What Actually Moves the Price
Lost vs all-keys-lost
A spare with a working original is faster (and cheaper) than an all-keys-lost job that needs a key code lookup and immobiliser reset.
Time of day
Daytime is the standard band. Late-night emergencies (after 9pm) carry a small out-of-hours premium quoted before we leave.
Genuine vs aftermarket fob
Genuine OEM fobs (BMW, Mercedes, Tesla) cost more than tested aftermarket equivalents. We offer both and let you choose.
Why We're Cheaper Than the Main Dealer
Main dealers aren't being greedy — they just have very high overheads and limited interest in one-off mobile work. Some real differences:
Main dealer route
- 1–3 week wait for the key code and parts
- You have to get the car to the dealership (recovery cost or tow)
- Labour billed at £100–£180 per hour on top of the part
- Limited or no out-of-hours service
- Typical BMW / Mercedes smart-key total: £450–£700
Our mobile service
- Same day, often same call — most jobs in under an hour
- We come to you (home, work, roadside, depot)
- No call-out fee, no recovery cost
- 24/7 emergency response
- Same dealer-grade kit. BMW / Mercedes smart-key total: £280–£420
Quality difference? None where it counts. We use the same diagnostic tools the dealers use, cut to the manufacturer key code, and back every key with a 12-month guarantee. The savings come from our overheads being lower, not from corners being cut.
Pricing Questions
Will you give me a fixed price on the phone?
Yes. Once we know your registration, make, model and what service you need, we give you a fixed price and ETA before we travel. The on-the-phone quote is the price you pay — no surprises on arrival.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
No. There is no separate call-out fee in our normal coverage area. If for any reason we cannot complete the work, you owe us nothing.
Do you accept card payments?
Yes. We take contactless and chip-and-pin card on the spot, as well as bank transfer and cash. A VAT receipt is provided on request.
Is the price the same for an emergency call?
For daytime emergencies in our core coverage, yes. Genuine out-of-hours work (after 9pm or before 7am) carries a small premium quoted on the phone before we travel.
Why are aftermarket fobs cheaper than genuine?
Genuine fobs are made by the vehicle manufacturer and carry a premium for the brand and the supply chain. Tested aftermarket fobs work to the same functional spec but typically cost 30–50% less. We let you choose.
What if my make is unusual?
Most makes on UK roads are covered. If yours is genuinely unusual (very old, very rare, agricultural, motorsport), call us and we will be honest on the phone about whether we can help and at what cost.
Get Your Fixed Price
Call for an immediate quote and ETA, or send your vehicle details and we will reply with a written price within 15 minutes during working hours.