No key transport
Transporting a Car With No Keys in Birmingham
A car with genuinely no keys anywhere — not locked inside, not lost, just never had a set with it — comes up more than you'd think with auction purchases, inherited vehicles, or cars that have been stored for years by a previous owner who's since lost track of the keys entirely.
We transport vehicles with no keys across Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and the Black Country, since loading a car onto a flatbed doesn't require it to be started, unlocked, or steered under its own power in the way driving it would.
How we load a car with no keys
We use a winch to pull the vehicle onto the recovery bed, and depending on whether the steering column is locked, may need to work around that when positioning the car. A locked steering wheel can make straight-line winching more difficult but it's something we're used to managing.
Getting through doors without a key
If the doors are locked and there's no key at all, we may need to access the vehicle through an unlocked window, boot, or another opening if one's available, to release the handbrake or put it in neutral for loading. If the car is entirely sealed with the handbrake on, this can add time and complexity to the load.
What's helpful to know in advance
Knowing whether any doors or windows are unlocked, whether the handbrake is on or off, and whether the steering lock is engaged all help us plan the collection properly rather than working it out for the first time on site.
- Let us know if any door, window or the boot is unlocked
- Tell us if you know whether the handbrake is on
- A locked steering column can affect how straight the car winches on
- Sourcing a replacement key afterwards is usually a locksmith or dealer job
Getting keys sorted afterwards
Once the car's at its destination, sorting a replacement key usually means an auto locksmith or the manufacturer's dealer, particularly for anything with an immobiliser chip, which is most cars from the last couple of decades.
Questions we get asked
Do you need a key to load and transport a car?
No, we can winch a car onto the recovery bed without a key, though it helps to know if any doors or windows are unlocked.
What if all the doors are locked and there's no way in?
This makes it harder to release the handbrake for loading, so let us know in advance if you're aware of this so we can plan accordingly.
Can you help source a replacement key?
We can point you towards a locksmith or dealer, but cutting and programming a key isn't something we do ourselves.
Is it more expensive to transport a car with no keys?
It can take a little longer depending on access, but it's a job we handle regularly — get in touch and we'll talk through your specific situation.
No keys for the car you need moved?
Call 07402 666 687 and let us know what access you do have — we'll plan the collection accordingly.