Buyer's Guide
Spare Car Key Cost:
What You'll Really Pay in 2026
The one question we get asked more than any other: "How much is it going to cost?" Below are real-world prices for every major make, broken down by key type, including what a main dealer would charge vs what we charge — so you can make an informed choice.
Call 01723 817140 for a QuoteReal-World Car Key Prices by Make
These are the prices you can expect to pay for a replacement key with a working original available. All-keys-lost jobs cost more. Prices include the mobile call-out to your location.
| Make & Model | Basic Key | Remote Fob | Smart / Proximity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford (Fiesta, Focus, Transit) | £85–£135 | £155–£190 | £220–£290 |
| Vauxhall (Corsa, Astra, Insignia) | £85–£130 | £150–£190 | £210–£280 |
| VW (Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Transporter) | £95–£145 | £165–£220 | £260–£340 |
| BMW (1, 3, 5 Series, X1, X3, X5) | £145–£195 | £245–£320 | £320–£450 |
| Mercedes (A, C, E Class) | £160–£220 | £275–£350 | £360–£490 |
| Audi (A1, A3, A4, Q3, Q5) | £155–£210 | £260–£340 | £340–£450 |
| Toyota (Yaris, Corolla, RAV4) | £95–£145 | £170–£230 | £250–£320 |
| Nissan (Qashqai, Juke, Micra) | £90–£140 | £165–£225 | £245–£310 |
| Peugeot / Citroën | £95–£150 | £170–£230 | £240–£300 |
| Suzuki (Swift, Vitara, S-Cross) | £90–£135 | £145–£195 | £195–£260 |
All prices include mobile call-out to Scarborough and within 25 miles. Prices correct as of 2026.
What Affects the Price of a Car Key?
1. The Type of Key Your Car Uses
There are three broad tiers. Basic keys (£45–£80) are flat metal, no electronics — common on cars built before 2000. Remote fobs (£85–£250) have a transponder chip plus buttons to lock/unlock — this is what most cars from 2000–2015 use. Proximity / smart keys (£175–£450) let you push a button to start without taking the key out of your pocket — standard on most modern cars. The tier your car falls into is the single biggest factor in the price.
2. The Brand
German brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW) cost more than Japanese and British brands, not because the key is fancier but because the programming requires a real-time online connection to the manufacturer's server. That server access isn't free — the subscription and token fees are part of what you pay. Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota and Suzuki are generally cheaper because their immobiliser systems are simpler and don't need an online handshake.
3. Whether You Have a Working Key
If you have one working key, making a spare is straightforward. If all keys are lost, the locksmith has to read the immobiliser data directly from the car's ECU — which often means removing panels or accessing the OBD port with specialist tools. That extra labour and the higher-risk programming account for the higher all-keys-lost price. This is the single best reason to get a spare made now while you still have one.
4. Dealer vs Auto Locksmith
A main dealer will almost always charge more — sometimes double — and will want you to bring the car to them, often leaving it for a day or a week. An auto locksmith comes to you, does the work on site, and charges less. The key itself is the same OEM-quality blank. The difference is in the overhead: the dealer has a glass showroom to heat; we have a van and a laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Price for Your Car
Call us with your car's make, model and year, and we'll give you an instant quote over the phone. No call-out fee, no obligation.
Call 01723 817140