What does 'all keys lost' actually mean?+
All-keys-lost (AKL) means you have zero working keys for the vehicle — no spare, no backup, nothing that will start it or unlock the doors. It's a different job from lost-one-of-two: the immobiliser has to be told to accept a brand-new key from scratch, usually via the OBD port or a direct connection to the ECU/EIS/CAS/FEM/BDC module. This is our most requested prestige callout.
Can you do all-keys-lost on my driveway without towing to a dealer?+
Yes — on 95%+ of makes we handle AKL on your driveway with no tow, no dealer recovery. Our vans carry dealer-grade programmers for BMW CAS2/CAS3/CAS4/FEM/BDC, Mercedes EIS/FBS3, VAG MQB/MQB48, Ford PATS/HU101, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Volvo, Mazda and Range Rover comfort access. The only jobs we occasionally tow are Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and a handful of pre-2010 imports without a UK VIN in the DVLA feed.
How much does all-keys-lost cost?+
All-keys-lost starts from £249. The final price depends on the key type and the car's immobiliser system — smart and prestige keys cost more. You get a fixed quote from your registration before we attend, including the new key, on-site cutting, programming and removal of the lost keys from the car.
How long does an all-keys-lost job take?+
Non-smart platforms (Ford, Vauxhall, older VAG, Toyota, Honda): 45–75 minutes on scene. Smart/proximity (BMW E-series, Mercedes W204/W212, Audi B8.5/B9): 60–90 minutes. Modern prestige with encrypted immobilisers (BMW CAS4/FEM/BDC, Range Rover): 90–180 minutes. You'll drive away the same visit — no leaving the car with us, no dealer wait, no courtesy-car hire.
Do I need the V5 logbook for an all-keys-lost job?+
Yes — V5 (or a clear photo of it) plus matching photo ID is mandatory before any key is cut or programmed. If the V5 is inside the locked vehicle, we can pop the door on scene, retrieve it and continue. If the vehicle is registered to a company we need a headed-paper letter of authority from a listed director. This is required by our insurance and by law — any locksmith who skips ownership checks is a red flag.
Should I claim on insurance for all-keys-lost?+
Most comprehensive policies cover key replacement, sometimes with a smaller excess than a normal claim. If the keys were stolen you must report to police within 24 hours and quote a crime reference number on the claim. If they were genuinely lost, insurers usually pay minus your key-cover excess. We supply a formal invoice showing the missing keys have been deleted from the immobiliser — most insurers require that document before settling. If you're paying yourself, our AKL price is nearly always below the average key-cover excess anyway.
Will my car still work with the old keys if they turn up later?+
No — that's the whole point of a proper AKL job. When we programme new keys we delete every previously-known key ID from the ECU/immobiliser, so any missing key found afterwards will not start the car and will not unlock the doors on smart platforms. This protects you against someone who found the keys walking up to your car six months later with your address from the V5.
Is it cheaper than going to the main dealer?+
Often — we come to you, so there's no recovery truck, and you get a fixed quote before we attend. Compare it with your dealer's quote for the same key.
Can you do all-keys-lost on a keyless / push-button start car?+
Yes — keyless (proximity/smart) is our most common AKL. We carry OEM-spec blank smart shells, virgin transponder chips and encrypted programmers for BMW CAS4/FEM/BDC, Audi MQB48, Range Rover comfort access, Toyota H-chip, Honda G-chip, Hyundai/Kia SmartKey and Nissan I-Key. Job time 60–150 minutes depending on platform.
What areas do you cover for all-keys-lost?+
24/7 mobile cover across West London (W3–W14, TW3–TW8, TW13/14/19, UB1–UB11), Heathrow (T2–T5 + POD), Slough (SL1–SL4), Windsor (SL4), Staines (TW18/19), Ashford (TW15), Feltham (TW13/14), Sunbury/Shepperton (TW16/17), Weybridge/Walton (KT12/13), Kingston (KT1/2), Twickenham (TW1/2), Richmond (TW9/10), Harrow (HA1–HA9), Watford (WD17–WD25), Reading (RG1–RG31) and the Thames Valley corridor 40 minutes from TW18.
Is all-keys-lost the same as a stolen key?+
Legally no — insurance treats stolen keys as theft (police report required, crime reference number needed) whereas AKL is loss. Practically the fix is identical: delete every previously-known key from the ECU, cut and code brand-new keys, hand over an invoice showing the old key IDs are dead. Do the police report first if there's any chance of theft — it costs nothing and protects you later.
How soon can you attend an all-keys-lost callout?+
Same-day, usually quickly, subject to technician availability and traffic of a confirmed WhatsApp booking anywhere inside our 40-minute radius. Prestige AKL that requires a specific programmer or blade is quoted with a firm arrival slot before we set off — no 'engineer will call you back'.
