Exeter Auto Keys

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Last updated: May 2026

Lost Car Keys in Exeter

Mobile replacement for all makes — even with no keys remaining

Losing your car keys is stressful, but it is entirely fixable. We carry out lost car key replacement across Exeter and Devon as a fully mobile service — coming directly to wherever your vehicle is. Even if every key has gone, we use OBD or EEPROM programming to generate a replacement from scratch, without your vehicle leaving the spot.

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What’s Included

All-keys-lost covered
Even with no working keys remaining, we access your vehicle’s security data and programme a brand new key. No tow truck, no dealer appointment needed.
All makes and models
Ford, BMW, Mercedes, VW, Land Rover and every other major brand on Devon roads. From a Ford Fiesta to a Range Rover Sport — all covered.
Price confirmed first
We quote before we move. The price covers everything — key blank, cutting and all programming. No hidden charges, ever.
45–60 minute response
For Exeter city centre and EX1–EX4 postcodes. From our East Devon base, we cover Exeter and surrounding areas fast.

Lost Your Keys? Here’s What to Do First

When you realise your keys are gone, the first few minutes feel chaotic. Here is a clear order of steps before you call anyone — it may save you time and money.

Most lost key situations are resolved within the hour. The key is knowing which step applies to you — and not wasting time or money on the wrong one.

If your keys are genuinely gone and you have no spare, calling a mobile auto locksmith is the fastest and most cost-effective solution available. We carry out lost key replacement across Exeter and Devon with no recovery truck needed.

If your keys were stolen rather than simply lost, there is an additional security consideration — see the FAQ section below on deleting old keys from your vehicle’s memory.

1
Search thoroughly first
Check other pockets, all bag compartments, near the front door, surfaces you have been on. Keys left in the door lock itself are surprisingly common.
2
Check whether you have a spare
A spare at home with a partner or family member may be the quickest fix. If you have no spare, getting one made after this is resolved is strongly recommended.
3
Check your insurance
Some comprehensive policies include key cover. A quick call to your insurer before spending anything is worthwhile — though check whether claiming affects your no-claims.
4
Call a mobile auto locksmith
If the keys are definitely gone, we are the fastest solution. We come to you, confirm a price before starting, and have most vehicles rekeyed within the hour.

How It Works

1
Call with your registration
We identify your exact key type, confirm whether OBD or EEPROM is needed, and give you a fixed price. Under a minute.
2
We come to you
Home, workplace, car park or roadside. Anywhere in Exeter or Devon. No recovery truck required.
3
New key cut and programmed
Key blank sourced, cut and paired to your vehicle’s immobiliser on site. Tested and working before we leave.

How We Actually Replace Lost Car Keys

Most people assume losing all their car keys means a tow truck and a dealer appointment. In most cases it does not. Here is what actually happens when we arrive — and why our equipment matters.

If you have at least one working key

When one working key exists, programming a second is a straightforward process. We connect to your vehicle’s OBD diagnostic port, identify the key specification, cut a new blank to match, and programme it into the immobiliser memory. Most vehicles with one remaining key can be rekeyed within 45–60 minutes.

If all keys are gone (all-keys-lost)

All-keys-lost is more involved because the vehicle has no reference key to work from. For most modern vehicles, we use EEPROM programming — reading security data directly from the chip inside the vehicle’s ECU or immobiliser module. This allows us to generate a correctly matched key without any working key present, on site, without moving the vehicle.

What about high-security platforms?

For vehicles on the most recent security platforms — BMW FEM/BDC, VW MQB IMMO5 and Mercedes EIS — all-keys-lost replacement requires specialist EEPROM equipment that most basic locksmiths do not carry. We use this equipment regularly across Devon. The IMI qualification our technicians hold covers advanced programming of this type.

One key remaining
OBD programming
Diagnostic port access. Standard for most modern vehicles. Fast and non-invasive. Key cut and programmed in 45–60 minutes.
No keys at all
EEPROM programming
Direct chip reading. Accesses security data without a reference key. Required for all-keys-lost on most modern platforms.
High-security vehicles
Specialist EEPROM + OBD
BMW FEM/BDC, VW MQB IMMO5, Mercedes EIS. Requires the equipment we carry. Not available from most basic locksmiths.

What We Need from You

We keep the process as straightforward as possible. Having these ready when you call makes everything faster — particularly the quote.

◆
Your vehicle registration number
The single most useful thing to have ready. It lets us identify your exact key type and give you a precise quote in under a minute.
◆
Your location or postcode
So we can give you an accurate arrival time. A car park name, street or postcode is all we need.
◆
Your driving licence
Required for identity and ownership verification before any work begins. Standard practice for any reputable auto locksmith.
◆
V5C or insurance certificate
Your vehicle registration document or insurance certificate confirms ownership. If you are away from home, a screenshot of your digital insurance certificate usually suffices — call us to discuss.

All Makes Covered — From Common Devon Cars to Prestige Vehicles

We replace lost keys for all major makes across Exeter and Devon — from the Ford Fiestas and Vauxhall Corsas that dominate Devon roads to the Range Rovers and BMWs more common across East Devon’s rural areas and the city. Every make has a different key system; we carry the equipment for all of them.

The vehicles we see most frequently for lost key replacement across Devon include Ford Transit vans across Marsh Barton and Exeter’s trading estates, BMW and Mercedes in Exeter city centre and Honiton, Land Rover Defenders and Range Rovers across rural East Devon and Somerset, and VW Golf across the Exeter student and commuter population.

FordBMWMercedesLand RoverVWAll brands →

Covering Exeter and Devon — Fast Response from East Devon

We are based near Honiton in East Devon, which puts us within fast reach of the full Exeter area and surrounding Devon towns. For emergency callouts, we aim for 45–60 minutes across Exeter city centre, Marsh Barton industrial estate, Heavitree, St David’s, Pinhoe and the EX1–EX4 postcode area.

Honiton, Sidmouth and Exmouth are often even faster given our base location. For rural East Devon, Somerset and North Devon, we cover the whole area — response times to more remote locations take a little longer, and we always give an honest time estimate when you call.

Exeter|Honiton|Exmouth|Tiverton|Sidmouth|Chard|All areas →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — all-keys-lost replacement is one of our core services. We use EEPROM programming for vehicles where OBD access alone is insufficient, covering all major makes. Call with your registration and we confirm the exact approach for your vehicle before setting off.

Typically 60–90 minutes from arrival, covering diagnosis, key cutting and programming. All-keys-lost scenarios on premium vehicles (BMW FEM, VW MQB IMMO5, Mercedes EIS) can take longer. We always give a realistic time estimate before starting — never an optimistic one we cannot meet.

Your driving licence and V5C vehicle registration document or insurance certificate. This is a standard requirement for all reputable auto locksmiths. If you are away from home without your V5C, a driving licence plus a screenshot of your digital insurance certificate (accessible through most insurer apps) will usually suffice. See also DVLA guidance on V5C documents.

If your keys were lost in a situation where someone else might find them and know which vehicle they belong to — particularly if stolen, or lost with items identifying your address or vehicle — yes. When we programme a new key we can delete all previously paired keys from the immobiliser memory as a security measure. Just mention it when you call and we will include this as part of the job.

Yes — we carry out the majority of our work at the roadside, in car parks and on driveways. We bring everything needed to your location. Tell us where you are when you call and we will come directly to you.

Yes — a properly programmed replacement key is functionally identical to the original in every respect. It starts the engine, operates the central locking, activates the proximity function where applicable, and is recognised by the vehicle’s immobiliser as a fully authorised key.

In most cases yes. Recent high-security platforms — BMW FEM/BDC, VW MQB IMMO5, Mercedes EIS — require specialist EEPROM equipment that basic locksmiths often do not carry. We carry and regularly use this equipment across Devon. There are genuine edge cases where even specialist equipment cannot resolve a situation — we will tell you honestly before attempting anything rather than waste your time. See our immobiliser diagnostics service for more complex scenarios.

Cost depends on your vehicle make, model and key type — the complexity of the security system is the main driver. We confirm an exact price when you call with your registration number, before we set off. There are no hidden charges beyond the quoted price. See our pricing guide for general ranges by vehicle category, and our dealer comparison guide for how our pricing compares.

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Need Help Right Now?

Call and you speak directly to a technician. Price confirmed before we start. Available 24 hours across Exeter and Devon.

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