Car Key Replacement — Locksmith vs Dealer vs Timpson (2026)
Lost your car key? You have three options: a mobile auto locksmith, the main dealer, or a high-street chain like Timpson. The price difference can be £300+. Here's exactly what each option costs, how long it takes, and which one is actually right for you.
The three options — at a glance
| What you need | Mobile Locksmith | Main Dealer | Timpson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic non-remote key | £99–£140 | £180–£300 | £75–£120* |
| Remote flip key | £140–£180 | £250–£400 | £130–£200* |
| Smart / proximity key | £180–£280 | £350–£600+ | Not available |
| Emergency call-out (all keys lost) | Included in price | Tow truck + key cost | Can't do — need car present |
| Comes to you | ✅ Yes — anywhere | ❌ You must get car to them | ❌ You must go to their shop |
| Response time | 30–60 minutes | 3–10 working days | Same day (if shop has blank) |
| Works on all makes | ✅ All makes & models | ✅ Only their brand | ⚠️ Common makes only |
* Timpson pricing varies significantly by location and key type. Not all branches offer car key cutting. Smart keys are generally not available.
Option 1: Mobile Auto Locksmith
A mobile auto locksmith comes to your location — home, work, car park, roadside — with all the equipment in the van. They cut the key blade, programme the transponder, and sync the remote locking on-site.
Comes to you. Usually within the hour. All makes and models. Emergency all-keys-lost capability. Fixed price quote upfront. Cuts, programmes and tests on-site. No tow truck needed.
Slightly more than Timpson for basic keys (but you don't need to get to a shop). Quality varies — use a well-reviewed local locksmith, not a national call centre that subcontracts to anyone.
Best for: Anyone who needs a key quickly, can't get to a shop, has all keys lost, drives a luxury or complex vehicle, or wants the convenience of someone coming to them.
Option 2: Main Dealer
You phone the dealership, order a key (requires V5C and ID), wait 3-10 working days for it to arrive from the manufacturer, then take the car to the dealer for programming. You cannot drive the car there if you've lost all keys — you'll need a tow truck.
Genuine manufacturer key. Dealer warranty on the key. Correct procedure for very new cars (under 12 months old) where aftermarket tools may not yet be available.
Expensive — typically 2-3× the locksmith price for the same key. Slow — 3-10 working days. You must get the car to them (tow truck if all keys lost). Only covers their own brand. Booking required. Limited emergency help.
Best for: Brand-new cars still under manufacturer warranty where you specifically want a dealer-supplied key. Or if time isn't a factor and you're comfortable with the higher cost.
Option 3: Timpson (High Street)
Timpson has expanded from shoe repair and key cutting into car keys at many larger branches. They can clone some transponder keys and cut basic remote keys for common makes. You must bring the car to their shop — they don't do mobile service.
Cheapest for basic transponder key cloning. High-street presence — you probably know where a Timpson is. Quick for simple jobs while you wait.
Cloning only — copies the existing key's code rather than programming a new unique key to the car. If someone has your cloned key, it can't be deleted from the immobiliser the way a properly programmed key can. Limited to common makes and key types. No smart keys. No all-keys-lost. Must bring the car to them. No emergency service.
Important — cloning vs programming: Timpson typically clones your existing key's transponder code. This means the car sees the new key as identical to the old one. If you later lose a key and want it deleted from the immobiliser, you can't delete just one — the car can't tell them apart. A properly programmed key (from a locksmith or dealer) gets its own unique ID in the immobiliser, so individual keys can be added and deleted.
Best for: A cheap spare for a common car where you have a working key to clone and don't need emergency service. Not suitable for anything complex, emergency situations, or if you want properly managed keys.
The real cost — hidden extras that catch people out
Dealer: tow truck
If you've lost all keys, you can't drive to the dealer. Recovery to a dealership costs £150-£250. Some recovery policies cover this; many don't for 'lost keys' specifically.
Dealer: programming labour
The key price the dealer quotes is often for the part only. Programming labour (£80-£150 per hour) is added on top. Always ask for the all-in price.
Timpson: 'we can't do this one'
You drive to Timpson, wait in the queue, and they tell you they can't do your particular key. Now you're back to square one.
Locksmith: national call centres
If you Google 'car locksmith near me' and call the first number, you might reach a national call centre that charges £60-£100 call-out fee and subcontracts to a local who charges more on arrival. Always call a named local business directly.
The verdict — which one should you pick?
You've lost all your keys and need the car now? → Mobile auto locksmith. It's the only option that comes to you, works on all makes, and does everything on-site.
You want a spare key and have a working one to clone? → Timpson if it's a common car and simple key. Mobile locksmith if you want a properly programmed unique key, or a more complex key type.
Brand-new car, want manufacturer key specifically? → Main dealer. It'll cost more and take longer, but the key comes directly from the manufacturer's parts system.
For 90% of people in East Yorkshire: a mobile auto locksmith is the best balance of speed, cost, and convenience. We come to you, cut and programme on-site, and you're back on the road within the hour.
Need a Key? Skip the Tow Truck
Fixed-price quote upfront. We come to you — home, work, or roadside. Usually within the hour across East Yorkshire.