Lost Your Car Keys With No Spare? What to Do

Short answer: retrace your steps and check lost property first. If the key is gone, call a mobile automotive locksmith. For most common makes, they can come to the car, cut a new key to the locks and program it to the car's immobiliser on the spot. Some newer and European models can only be keyed by the dealer.

Step 1: Make sure it's really lost

Before paying for a new key, spend ten minutes checking:

• Pockets, bags and the car itself. Look through the windows: on the seat, in the footwell, in the ignition.
• Where you've been today. Ring the shop, cafe, gym or venue. Most hand in keys to the counter.
• Lost property. Train stations, shopping centres and beach clubs usually keep it.
• The person you were with. Keys often end up in someone else's bag.

Step 2: Decide whether you're at risk

If your keys were lost with something showing your address (a wallet, licence or a tag with your street), or you think they were stolen:

• Treat it as a security problem, not just an inconvenience. Whoever has the keys may know where the car and your house are.
• In Victoria, you can report lost or stolen property to police on the Police Assistance Line, 131 444. If a crime is happening now, call 000.
• Plan to rekey your house locks as well as replacing the car key. See lock changes and rekeying.

Step 3: Get a new key made

There are two options.

	Mobile automotive locksmith	Dealer
Comes to the car	Yes	No, the car usually needs to be towed in
All keys lost	Most common makes	All models
Speed	Often the same day	Can take days if the key is ordered
Newer and European models	Some	Yes

For most people with a common make, the locksmith is quicker because there's no tow. If you drive a newer European car, the dealer may be the only option.

How a key is made without the original

Most cars built since the late 1990s have an immobiliser. A chip in the key (a transponder) has to be recognised by the car before the engine will start. So a replacement key needs two things:

1. The blade cut to fit the locks. The locksmith can work out the cuts from the door lock or the ignition, or from the key code.
2. The chip and remote programmed to the car. This is done with diagnostic equipment through the car's onboard port.

Push-to-start smart keys don't need a blade cut for the ignition, but they still need programming, and usually have an emergency blade for the door.

What to have ready when you call

• The make, model and year of the car
• Where the car is: street, car park or beach access
• Proof of ownership: your licence and registration papers. A legitimate locksmith will ask for this before handing over a key.

While you wait

• If the car is parked somewhere it could be ticketed or towed, let the venue or council know if you can.
• If you're stuck somewhere remote, at night or in bad weather, make sure someone knows where you are.

How to stop it happening again

• Get a spare made now. Copying a working key costs far less than replacing a key when all are lost.
• Keep the spare at home, not in the car.
• Use a key finder tag on your keyring.
• Write down the car's details and key code (if you have the paperwork) and keep them somewhere safe.

If you're on the Mornington Peninsula or in Frankston and need a new car key, see car key replacement.