Car Locksmiths & car key replacement
Car key and vehicle lock services
Car key replacement
Lost or broken keys remade as replacement car keys — including keyless, smart keys, and spare key cuts.Transponder & chip programming
Car key programming for chip, transponder and immobiliser keys, coded to your car.Car lockout / vehicle unlock
Locked out with keys inside? A mobile unlock without damage.Spare keys cut
Spare keys cut and coded so you're never stranded again.Remote & fob repair
Fixing or replacing remote fobs and central-locking remotes.Ignition & lock repair
Jammed ignitions and worn vehicle locks repaired or replaced.
What will a car key cost?
Auto locksmiths by area
- Alberton
- Benoni
- Boksburg
- Centurion
- Edenvale
- Fourways
- Germiston
- Johannesburg
- Kempton Park
- Krugersdorp
- Midrand
- Pretoria
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Sandton
- Soweto
- Vanderbijlpark
Car Locksmith FAQs
Can a locksmith make a new key if I've lost all of them?
Yes. An auto locksmith can cut and program a brand-new key even when no original is left — including transponder and keyless/smart keys — usually at your car, without needing the dealership.
How much does a replacement car key cost?
It depends heavily on your vehicle: a basic key is far cheaper than a transponder or smart/proximity key, which has to be coded to the car. For a realistic estimate for your vehicle, use our locksmith cost calculator →
Do they come to me, or do I go to them?
Most car locksmiths are mobile and come to wherever you and your car are — at home, at work, or stranded roadside. A few also have a shop for walk-in key cutting.
Can they program a smart or keyless key?
Yes — a qualified auto locksmith can program transponder chips, remote fobs and keyless/proximity keys to your car, and replace a faulty remote.
Can I get a car key cut at a shopping centre near me?
Yes — many of our mobile car locksmiths also do walk-in key cutting at malls and shopping centres, including Canal Walk, Mall of Africa, Menlyn Mall, Tygervalley, Cape Gate, and Rosebank Mall. Pick your area above to see who covers key cutting near you.
Can a locksmith make a new key for any car brand, like Toyota, VW or Nissan?
Yes. Car locksmiths carry the tools and software to cut and program replacement keys for virtually every make sold in South Africa — including Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and other popular brands — usually without needing the dealership.
Can a locksmith fix a car ignition or make an ignition key?
Yes — a qualified car locksmith can repair a jammed or worn ignition, and cut or program a new ignition key, often without removing the ignition barrel or needing a dealership visit.
How long does it take to get a car key cut?
Most standard key cuts take just a few minutes on-site. Transponder and smart keys take a little longer since they also need to be programmed to your car — but most jobs are finished within 30–60 minutes.
What should I do if I've locked my keys inside the car?
Don’t try to force the door or window — call a mobile locksmith. They can unlock most vehicles without causing any damage, usually within 30–60 minutes, even if the keys are visible inside.
Why are replacement car keys sometimes so expensive?
Cost comes down to the technology inside the key, not the cutting itself. Basic keys are cheap to cut, but transponder, smart and proximity keys contain a chip that has to be matched and coded to your specific vehicle — and that programming step, plus the genuine parts, is what drives the price up.
What does a locksmith need to make a car key?
Usually just your vehicle’s make, model and VIN (vehicle identification number), found on your registration documents or the windscreen plate. For transponder or smart keys, the locksmith also needs access to the car itself to read and program the key to your vehicle’s immobiliser.
How do I replace a damaged car key cover?
If only the plastic casing or fob shell is cracked or worn, a locksmith can usually replace just the cover without re-cutting or reprogramming the key itself — a quick, low-cost fix compared to a full key replacement.