Car key guides
Plain answers to the questions we are asked every day. No sign up, no sales pitch.
How much does a replacement car key cost?
What decides the price of a replacement car key: the type of key, the make and year, and whether you still have one that works.
ReadLost your only car key: what to do
A calm checklist for when the only car key has gone missing: where to look, who to call and what you will be asked for.
ReadCar key types explained
Chipped keys, remote keys, flip keys, key cards and keyless fobs: how to tell which one you have and what that means when you need another.
ReadMain dealer or auto locksmith for a new key?
The real differences between getting a car key from a main dealer and from a mobile auto locksmith: time, cost, convenience and when the dealer is the only choice.
ReadWhat proof do you need to get a car key made?
The ID and documents a locksmith will ask for before making a car key or opening a car, and what to do if the paperwork is locked inside.
ReadKey fob not working: what to check first
Simple checks to try when a car key fob stops working, from the battery to the hidden blade, before you pay anybody to look at it.
ReadAre lost car keys covered by insurance?
Where key cover usually comes from, what it tends to pay for and the questions to ask your insurer before you book a locksmith.
ReadKeyless car theft: how to make it harder
How relay theft works on cars with keyless entry and the cheap, practical steps that make your car a harder target.
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