Losing your car keys can be stressful and inconvenient, especially if it happens when you’re in a rush. Modern car keys can be far more complicated than the simple metal keys of the past, with transponders, remote controls and keyless entry systems all adding to the cost and complexity of getting a replacement.
If you’ve lost car keys, don’t panic. There are several ways to get back on the road, from using a spare key to contacting your breakdown provider, an auto locksmith or your car’s manufacturer.
This guide explains what to do when you’ve lost car keys, who can help, what replacement might cost and how to avoid the same problem happening again.
For more practical motoring advice, you can also read our guide on how to buy a used car safely
Before immediately ordering a replacement, take a few minutes to work out whether the keys have genuinely been lost.
Retrace your recent movements and check the places where you have been. Search your home, workplace, bags, pockets and the area around where you parked.
If you think your keys have been handed in somewhere, contact the places you visited.
If you’ve lost car keys and believe they may have been stolen rather than misplaced, the situation is slightly different. Contact your insurer and consider reporting the theft to the police, particularly if the keys could be used to access your vehicle.
The easiest solution is often the simplest.
If you’ve lost car keys but still have a spare, you may be able to get back on the road without arranging an immediate replacement.
Check whether your spare is:
If somebody can bring the spare to you, this could save you the cost of an emergency call-out.
Once you’ve recovered access to your car, it’s worth considering having another spare made. Modern vehicles can be expensive to re-key, so having two working keys gives you a useful backup.
Some breakdown policies include cover for lost, stolen or broken car keys, while others require key cover to be purchased as an additional option.
For example, the AA offers Key Assist and separate key cover, while RAC offers Key Replace as an add-on. The exact benefits and eligibility depend on the policy you have.
If you’ve lost car keys, check your policy before paying a locksmith yourself. You may already have assistance available.
The AA says its Key Assist service can cut and programme many replacement keys and fobs, while its mobile technicians can attend the vehicle rather than requiring you to travel to a dealership.
An auto locksmith can often be one of the quickest options when you’ve lost car keys.
Unlike a traditional locksmith, an automotive specialist has equipment designed for vehicle keys and security systems.
Depending on the vehicle, an auto locksmith may be able to:
Mobile auto locksmiths can also travel to your location, which can be particularly useful if you’ve lost car keys while away from home.
However, always check that the locksmith is experienced with your particular make and model. Ask for a price before agreeing to the work, particularly if you’re calling out of hours.
If your vehicle uses a particularly sophisticated key system, contacting the manufacturer or an authorised dealer may be the most straightforward option.
You will normally need to provide details such as:
The exact process varies between manufacturers.
A dealership may be more expensive than an independent auto locksmith, but it can be useful if the vehicle requires manufacturer-specific equipment or programming.
If you’ve lost car keys and have no spare available, ask the dealer how long a replacement is likely to take before arranging transport or recovery.
Some independent garages can deal with replacement keys and key programming, although their capabilities vary.
Before taking the vehicle to a garage, phone ahead and ask whether they can work with your particular make, model and key system.
Some garages may be able to programme keys, while others will simply recommend an auto locksmith or dealership.
For more complicated systems, specialist equipment may be required.
The cost of replacing lost car keys varies considerably.
A basic physical key can be relatively inexpensive, while modern smart keys can cost several hundred pounds.
As a general guide, current UK replacement costs can be around £250–£400 or more for a replacement key and fob, although prices vary by vehicle and supplier. RAC currently quotes an average replacement cost of around £315 based on its data.
Factors affecting the price include:
If you’ve lost car keys, don’t automatically assume that a dealership will be the cheapest option. Get a few quotes from reputable providers where practical, while making sure they can supply and programme the correct key for your vehicle.
Some car insurance policies include key cover, while others offer it as an optional extra.
The cover can potentially pay towards replacement keys and associated costs, but exactly what is included varies between policies.
Before making a claim, check:
If you’ve lost car keys, checking your insurance policy before paying for a replacement could save you money.
If you’re shopping around, you can also compare car insurance quotes through Compare the Market.
A reputable locksmith or dealer will normally want to establish that you are entitled to have a key made for the vehicle.
You may be asked for:
Requirements vary between providers, so check what you need before arranging an appointment.
If you’ve lost car keys and don’t have the V5C with you, explain the situation to the provider before travelling. They may be able to tell you what alternative documentation is acceptable.
Stolen keys require more consideration than keys that have simply been misplaced.
If someone has your key, they could potentially use it to access or steal your vehicle.
Contact your insurer and ask what action they recommend. Depending on the circumstances and vehicle, you may need the lost key removed from the vehicle’s security system or the locks and security system reprogrammed.
If you’ve lost car keys somewhere outside your home and believe someone could identify which car they belong to, don’t leave the situation unresolved.
It’s also worth checking whether your vehicle has any additional security features, such as a manufacturer’s key deactivation procedure.
Once you’ve dealt with lost car keys, the last thing you want is to repeat the experience.
These simple habits can reduce the risk:
A key tracker won’t prevent a key from being lost, but it can make finding it considerably easier.
Losing car keys isn’t the only problem. You may still have the key but accidentally lock it inside the vehicle.
If this happens, don’t try to force the door or break a window unless there is a genuine emergency.
Contact your breakdown provider or a reputable auto locksmith. The AA, for example, offers assistance for keys locked inside vehicles and says its technicians can use specialist equipment to regain access and create a replacement where necessary.
If a child, vulnerable person or animal is trapped inside a vehicle and there is an immediate danger to their safety, call the emergency services.
If you’ve lost car keys and have now managed to get a replacement, consider having a spare made while you still have a working key.
It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but losing the only remaining key can make the next replacement significantly more complicated.
Having a spare also means you can continue using the car while arranging another replacement if your main key is lost or damaged.
Lost car keys can be an expensive and frustrating problem, but there are several ways to get back on the road.
Start by checking for a spare and your breakdown or insurance cover. If neither is available, an experienced auto locksmith may be able to provide a replacement at your location, while a dealership remains an option for vehicles with more complicated key systems.
The cost of lost car keys varies considerably, so it’s worth comparing reputable options rather than automatically choosing the first provider you find.
Once you’re back on the road, consider getting a spare key and keeping it somewhere safe. A little preparation now could save you a much bigger bill and a lot of stress in the future.
If replacing the key has made you question whether it’s worth keeping your current vehicle, you can browse used cars for sale on MotorHype or find out how to sell your car with MotorHype.
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