It depends mostly on the key: a plain blade is cheapest, a remote key costs more and a smart key for a keyless car more again, while making a key with none left to copy adds time. When we checked in October 2026, West Midlands auto locksmiths who publish prices on their own sites started at £35 for a spare key, £45 for a cut and programmed transponder key and £145 for a replacement remote key. Ask for the full price, programming and call-out included, before anyone sets off.
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What to do, in order
5 steps. Try them in this order; the last one is when to call someone.
Work out which key you have
A plain metal blade, a key with buttons for the locks, or a smart key that lets you start the car with a button. Each step up costs more to replace.
Check whether you still have a working key
Copying a key that works is the cheapest job. If it is your last one, get a spare now: replacing the last key costs far more.
See whether a repair will do
A broken case, worn buttons or a flat battery can often be fixed for much less than a new key, keeping the original chip.
Check your insurance
Some car and home policies include key cover. Read the policy or ask the insurer before paying.
Get full prices from a locksmith and the dealer
Give the make, model, year and key type, and ask for the price with cutting, programming, call-out and VAT included. A dealer may also need the car brought in.
What it costs
How to get a fair price for car key replacement.
Get the price before they set off
- It depends on the car, the key and the time of day, so most local locksmiths don’t publish prices.
- Ask for the full price, call-out included, when you call or message, and only agree once you have it.
- Where a locksmith publishes their own prices, we show them on their card, and on their profile with a link to their page.
Services that fix it
The service for this, and what it can turn out to need.
- Car key replacementA new key cut and programmed at the car, usually cheaper and faster than a dealer.
- Spare car keyA second key cut and added to the immobiliser, so one lost key isn’t a crisis.
- Lost car keysAll keys lost: a new one made from scratch, including smart keys with a chip.
- Smart key programmingKeyless and proximity keys made and programmed for most makes.
Find a verified locksmith near you
Pick your town to see who covers it for car key replacement, and ask them for a price.
Questions
Why does a car key cost so much?
A modern key contains a transponder chip that has to be programmed to the car’s immobiliser, usually with a remote too, and smart keys hold more electronics again. The price covers the key, the cutting, the programming equipment and the trip to you.
Is a locksmith cheaper than a dealer for a car key?
Often, and the locksmith comes to the car. A dealer may charge for the key, the programming and, with no key left, getting the car to them. Compare full prices, not starting prices.
Are the published prices what I will pay?
They are starting prices from the locksmiths’ own websites, for the simplest version of each job. Your car, the key type and the time of day can make the real price higher, so ask for the full price first.
What is a call-out charge?
A charge for coming to you. Some locksmiths add it to the price of the job and others include it, so ask whether the price you are given includes it.
Does car insurance pay for a replacement key?
Only if your policy includes key cover, which is often an optional extra. Check the excess and whether a claim affects your no-claims discount before you claim.
Other problems
- Locked your keys in the car? What to do
- Lost your car keys? How to get a replacement
- Car key fob not working? Causes and fixes
- Key won’t turn in the ignition? What to try
- Car key snapped or broken? What to do
- Spare car key: how to get one, and the cost
- Can a locksmith make a car key?
- Emergency locksmith near me? How to choose