Get a spare while you still have a working key: copying one costs a fraction of replacing the last. An auto locksmith cuts and programs a spare at the car; ask for the full price first.
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What to do, in order
4 steps. Try them in this order; the last one is when to call someone.
Check how many keys the car came with
Most cars come with two. Used cars often arrive with one.
Bring the working key
With a key to copy, the job is quicker and cheaper.
Have it cut and programmed
The blade is cut, the chip programmed to the immobiliser, and the remote paired.
Test both keys before they leave
Lock, unlock and start the car with each key.
What it costs
How to get a fair price for spare car key.
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.
- Spare car keyA second key cut and added to the immobiliser, so one lost key isn’t a crisis.
- Car key cuttingBlades cut by code or from the lock, including high-security laser-cut keys.
- Car key programmingThe key’s chip matched to the immobiliser, so it starts the car first time.
- Transponder cloningA working key’s chip copied to a new key, with no programming at the car.
Find a verified locksmith near you
Pick your town to see who covers it for spare car key, and ask them for a price.
Questions
Is a spare cheaper from a locksmith than a dealer?
Usually, and it’s done at the car, without booking the car in.
Can a spare be made for any car?
Most makes, yes. A few newer cars need dealer-level access, and a good auto locksmith will say so up front.
How much is a spare car key?
It depends on the make and the key, and a spare copied from a working key is the cheapest key job there is. When we checked in October 2026, West Midlands locksmiths who publish prices on their own sites listed spare keys from £35 and from £85. Those are starting prices; ask for the full price for your car.
Can I get a spare without the car?
Usually not, because the new key’s chip is programmed to the car. Some keys can have their chip copied from your working key instead, which a locksmith can tell you once they know the make and model.
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
- How much does a replacement car key cost?
- Can a locksmith make a car key?
- Emergency locksmith near me? How to choose