Will an auto locksmith damage my car?

A competent auto locksmith opens the vast majority of vehicles without damage using purpose made tools. Improvised methods with hangers and wedges are what causes damage.

What should I do if a child or pet is locked inside?

Call 999 straight away. Temperatures inside a car rise dangerously fast and the emergency services will decide whether to force entry.

Does breakdown cover include lockouts?

Sometimes, but many policies treat it as an optional extra rather than a standard benefit. Check your schedule before assuming you are covered.

My key fob is dead. Can I still start the car?

Usually yes. Most keyless cars have a backup position, described in the handbook, where the fob is held against the start button or steering column so the transponder can be read.

Is it cheaper to replace a lost key or recover the car?

It depends on the vehicle. Many keys can be cut and programmed at the roadside, but some can only be coded by a dealer, in which case recovery is part of the cost.

Locked Out of Your Car? Safe UK Options and Costs

First, work out which kind of lockout this is

There are four common versions and they need different responses. The keys are visible inside the locked car. The keys are lost entirely. The key fob battery has died but you still have the key. Or the central locking has failed and the key no longer operates the doors. Knowing which you are dealing with saves a lot of time on the phone, because the solution and the cost differ considerably between them.

If the key fob simply will not respond

Before assuming the worst, check for a mechanical key blade hidden inside the fob. Most manufacturers still include one, released by a small catch or slider, and most cars still have a physical lock barrel on the driver's door, sometimes hidden behind a plastic cap on the handle. Opening the door this way often sets the alarm off, which is normal: putting the key in the ignition or holding the fob against the designated start button area usually silences it. Keyless entry cars often have a backup position, marked in the handbook, where the dead fob is held against the steering column or centre console so the car can read the transponder directly.

If there is a child or an animal inside

This stops being a lockout and becomes an emergency. On a warm day the inside of a car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes, and it happens far faster than most people expect. Call 999 immediately rather than waiting for any locksmith or recovery service. The emergency services will make the decision about forcing entry, and the cost of a replacement window is irrelevant next to the risk. Do not delay while you weigh up options.

Who can actually get you in

An auto locksmith is usually the fastest and cheapest route for a straightforward lockout, and a good one will open most vehicles without damage using purpose made tools. Your breakdown provider may cover lockouts, but check the policy, because many treat it as an add on rather than a standard benefit. A recovery operator can help too, particularly where the car needs moving afterwards or where entry cannot be gained safely at the roadside. What you should avoid is the coat hanger and wedge approach seen online: modern doors carry airbags, wiring looms and side impact sensors inside the panel, and prising the frame to get a tool in bends the door and breaks the weather seal.

What it typically costs

A non damaging entry from an auto locksmith is generally the cheapest option. Cutting and programming a replacement key is significantly more, because the transponder has to be coded to the immobiliser, and prices climb further for keyless systems and premium marques. If the car has to be moved to a dealer for key programming, add recovery to the total. Always ask for a fixed price before anyone starts work, and ask specifically whether the quote covers programming as well as cutting.

If the keys are lost rather than locked in

Report the loss if there is any chance they were stolen, particularly if anything with your address on it was attached to the same keyring. Most owners can obtain a replacement key through a dealer with proof of ownership and identity, or through a mobile auto locksmith who can cut and program at the roadside for many models. Bring the V5C logbook and photo identification. If the car has to be recovered to a dealership because the key can only be coded there, arrange that before the vehicle attracts a parking penalty where it stands.

Avoiding a repeat

Keep a spare key somewhere sensible and not on the same keyring as the original. Replace fob batteries every couple of years rather than waiting for them to die, and note the battery type in your phone so you can buy one anywhere. If your car locks automatically when it moves or when the boot is closed, be conscious of that habit when loading shopping or fuelling. A spare key with a trusted friend or family member is the cheapest insurance available for this particular problem.

Frequently asked questions

Will an auto locksmith damage my car?: A competent auto locksmith opens the vast majority of vehicles without damage using purpose made tools. Improvised methods with hangers and wedges are what causes damage.
What should I do if a child or pet is locked inside?: Call 999 straight away. Temperatures inside a car rise dangerously fast and the emergency services will decide whether to force entry.
Does breakdown cover include lockouts?: Sometimes, but many policies treat it as an optional extra rather than a standard benefit. Check your schedule before assuming you are covered.
My key fob is dead. Can I still start the car?: Usually yes. Most keyless cars have a backup position, described in the handbook, where the fob is held against the start button or steering column so the transponder can be read.
Is it cheaper to replace a lost key or recover the car?: It depends on the vehicle. Many keys can be cut and programmed at the roadside, but some can only be coded by a dealer, in which case recovery is part of the cost.

Need help now? We are based in Oldbury and dispatch 24/7 across the West Midlands.

Call 07402 666 687

Locked out of your car: what to do next