Cost guide
Car key replacement prices in the UK
A main dealer charges £150 to £500 or more for a replacement car key, against £100 to £250 from an auto locksmith, in StageMyCar's 2026 guide. WhoCanFixMyCar's 2026 bookings average £281.78 for a replacement key and £250.33 for programming alone. Keyless keys, all-keys-lost jobs and makes that need manufacturer data cost the most.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A price depends on the lock, the door and the hour.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Replacement key from an auto locksmith (StageMyCar, 2026) | £100 to £250 |
| Replacement key from a main dealer (StageMyCar, 2026) | £150 to £500 or more |
| Replacement key, booking average (WhoCanFixMyCar, 2026) | £281.78 |
| Key programming only, booking average (WhoCanFixMyCar, 2026) | £250.33 |
| Car lockout, if the keys are locked inside (Bark, 2025) | £65 to £95 |
Published figures from StageMyCar (a trade blog, given less weight), WhoCanFixMyCar's bookings and Bark, checked 2 October 2026; they are ranges and averages, not quotes.
What moves the price
- Key type. Plain cut keys are cheapest; transponder, remote and keyless keys each add programming and a dearer part.
- A working key or none. Copying a working key is simpler than making one when all keys are lost.
- Make and year. Some makes need manufacturer data, which since 1 April 2026 comes through UK SERMI for Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan and Toyota.
- The blade. Laser-cut blades need a different machine from edge-cut ones.
- Locksmith or dealer. StageMyCar puts a dealer at £150 to £500 or more against £100 to £250 from a locksmith.
Who quotes for it
63 of the 1,224 locksmiths listed on this site take on car key replacement.
Where they are: Luton (5), Birmingham (4), Belfast (2), Blackburn (2), Blackpool (2).
Questions about car key replacement
How much is a replacement car key?
£100 to £250 from an auto locksmith in StageMyCar's 2026 guide, against £150 to £500 or more from a main dealer. WhoCanFixMyCar's 2026 bookings average £281.78 for a replacement key and £250.33 for programming alone.
Why does a keyless car key cost more?
A proximity key holds more electronics, costs more as a part, and needs programming that some makes keep behind manufacturer data. All-keys-lost jobs cost more for a similar reason: there is nothing to copy. Ask for the total, including the key itself, before anyone starts.
Check a quote More about car key replacement Find a locksmith near you