Frequently Asked Questions

Car Locksmith Leicester typically arrives within 60 minutes of your call across Leicester and Leicestershire, and often sooner. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays.

Yes. We provide a full 24/7 emergency locksmith service every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays. Our standard rates apply — we do not charge a premium for out-of-hours call-outs.

Yes. We actively encourage you to call us first. We will give you an honest assessment of the situation and a firm price over the phone before you commit. There is no charge for this advice.

Yes, always. We agree the full price before we travel to your location. There are no hidden extras or charges added after the job is complete.

Yes. Car Locksmith Leicester uses specialist, non-destructive tools to gain entry to locked vehicles without using a key. We can open most car locks without causing any damage to the paintwork, door seals, or locking mechanism.

No. We use professional-grade non-destructive entry tools. We do not use techniques that scratch, dent, or damage your vehicle. Our technicians are trained specifically to avoid any vehicle damage during lockout work.

We can open the vehicle and retrieve the key safely. If the key is broken in the lock or ignition, we also provide a broken key extraction service — we remove the fragment without damaging the barrel and can cut a new key on-site.

The cost varies by vehicle make, model, year, and key type. Call us with your vehicle details and we will give you an accurate, no-obligation quote. As a guide, we are significantly cheaper than a main dealer — dealer key replacement often costs £200–£600+ and takes several days, whereas we supply, cut, and programme on-site.

Yes — significantly. Main dealers charge a premium for key replacement because they order keys in from manufacturers and use proprietary programming systems. Car Locksmith Leicester carries key stock and uses professional aftermarket programming equipment, allowing us to complete the job on-site at a fraction of the dealer cost.

A transponder key contains a microchip that communicates with your car's immobiliser system. When you turn the ignition, the car sends a signal to the chip and checks for the correct coded response. If the chip isn't present or isn't programmed to your car, the engine will not start. Most modern car keys manufactured after the mid-1990s are transponder keys and require programming when replaced.

Transponder key programming typically takes 15–45 minutes on-site. Some vehicles with advanced security protocols take slightly longer. We will give you an accurate estimate when you call.

Yes. "All keys lost" replacement is a routine service. We use specialist diagnostic tools to programme a completely new key to your vehicle without needing any existing key. This is a more involved process but one we complete regularly across all major makes and models.

Yes. We provide key cutting, programming, lost key replacement, and lockout assistance for motorbikes and scooters across all major brands, including Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumph, and more.

Yes. We cover vans and light commercial vehicles from all major manufacturers, including Ford Transit, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Vauxhall Movano, and others.

Yes. As well as automotive locksmith work, Car Locksmith Leicester provides emergency residential lockout services. We use non-destructive entry techniques where possible. If drilling is unavoidable as a last resort, we will replace the lock in the same visit.

Yes. We provide commercial lock replacement, re-keying, and master key system services for businesses of all sizes across Leicester and Leicestershire. We can also provide advice on access control options.