Broken Car Keys | Car Key Repair, Recasing & Replacement
Snapped blade, split case, buttons that no longer press, or a key that went through the washing machine? New Forest Auto Locksmith carries out car key repair at your vehicle across the New Forest, and only replaces the key when a repair genuinely won't last.
- 7 years' experience
- Repair first, replace only when needed
- Comes to your vehicle
- 8am–11pm, seven days
- No upfront payment
Can A Broken Car Key Be Repaired?
Often, yes. A broken car key usually fails in one part: the case, the blade, the buttons or the circuit board. If the transponder chip and the board still work, the key can be recased, given a new blade or have its buttons repaired, which costs less than a new key and keeps its existing programming.
Why Repair Is Often The Better Option
Your existing key is already coded to the car. Moving its working electronics into a new shell, or fitting a new blade cut to the same pattern, means the car accepts it straight away. There's no new key to buy and, in many cases, no programming needed at all.
When A New Key Makes More Sense
If the circuit board is cracked, the transponder has failed or water has corroded the electronics beyond cleaning, a repair won't last. In that case, a new key is cut and programmed at the car. See Car Key Programming for how that's done.
Key falling apart? Call and tell us what's broken: 023 8218 2674Repair Or Replace? How We Decide
The key is tested before anything is quoted, so you only pay for what actually needs doing.
| What's wrong | Can it usually be repaired? | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Split or cracked case, electronics working | Yes | New case, original electronics transferred |
| Snapped or bent blade | Yes | New blade cut to the same pattern |
| Buttons worn or not responding | Often | New button contacts or new case |
| Flip key won't stay open or closed | Often | New flip mechanism or case |
| Water-damaged remote | Sometimes | Cleaned and tested, or replaced |
| Transponder chip failed | Not usually | New key cut and programmed |
Snapped Car Keys, Worn Buttons & Wet Fobs
These are the faults we see most often, and each is handled differently.
Snapped Car Key In The Lock Or Ignition
A snapped car key often leaves half the blade inside the door lock or the ignition. Broken key extraction uses thin specialist tools to draw the fragment out without damaging the lock. A new blade is then cut to the same pattern, and if the old head still holds a working chip, it's fitted to the new blade.
Car Key Buttons Not Working
If you find your car key buttons not working even with a fresh battery, the cause is usually worn rubber pads or failed switch contacts on the circuit board. Both can often be replaced, and a key fob repair like this is far cheaper than a new remote. Car key buttons not working on only one side of the key is usually a single worn contact.
Car Key In The Washing Machine
A car key in the washing machine doesn't always mean a new key. Take the battery out straight away and let the fob dry thoroughly. If it still doesn't work, a water damaged car key can sometimes be revived by cleaning corrosion from the board. The transponder chip is sealed and often survives, so the car may still start even when the buttons don't. A water damaged car key that has sat wet for weeks is less likely to recover than one dealt with the same day.
Split Cases & Broken Flip Keys
Cases crack with age and drops, and flip keys wear at the pivot until the blade won't lock open. Car key case replacement transfers the original electronics into a new shell, and the blade is recut or transferred. The repaired key looks and works like new.
How A Car Key Fix Is Done
A car key fix follows the same order every time, so nothing is missed.
Opening & Testing The Key
The key is opened and each part is tested separately: the transponder with a reader, the remote with a frequency tester, and the circuit board for cracked joints or corrosion. That tells us whether the electronics are worth keeping.
Repairing Or Transferring The Parts
Working electronics are moved into a new case, or the faulty parts, such as button contacts or a battery holder, are replaced. A broken blade is recut on the cutting machine in the van, matched to your existing key or decoded from the lock if the original is too damaged to copy.
Checking It On The Car
The repaired key is tested on the vehicle: locking, unlocking, starting and any keyless functions. If the remote has lost its pairing during the repair, it's paired again on the spot.
Keys For Most Makes & Models
We repair keys for most makes, from Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen flip keys to BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz remotes and the smart keys used on many Toyota, Kia and Hyundai models. Some smart keys are sealed units that can't be opened without damage, and for those a replacement is usually the better option. We'll tell you which applies before starting.
How Much Does Car Key Repair Cost?
Car key repair is priced once the key has been looked at, because a new case, a new blade and a board repair are very different jobs. A repair that keeps the original electronics almost always costs less than a new key, and you'll know the price before any work is done, with nothing to pay upfront.
Repair Prices vs Replacement Prices
A recase or new blade sits at the lower end. Button and board repairs vary with the key. If the electronics have failed, the job becomes a replacement key, priced for your vehicle and key type.
If The Job Changes
Sometimes a key that looks like a case repair turns out to have a failed chip once it's opened. If that happens, you'll hear the revised price first, with no call-out charge if you'd rather not go ahead.
For a repair price, call: 023 8218 2674Broken Car Keys: Frequently Asked Questions
Related Key Services
For a second working key, see Spare Car Keys. If the key has been lost rather than broken, see Lost Car Keys. A key that won't turn in the ignition may point to a worn barrel: see Ignition Repair. The full list is on our Services page.
Broken Car Key? Tell Us What's Happened
A photo of the key and a few details help us bring the right parts first time:
We repair keys right across the New Forest, from Totton to Lymington. You can also contact us online.
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Registration number
- What's broken: case, blade, buttons or electronics
- Whether the car still starts with the key
- Where the car is
Get a free quote in two quick steps
Send your details and we'll come back to you with a price. For anything urgent, calling is quickest.
- Price explained before any work
- No upfront payment
- Deal direct with the technician
Call About A Broken Key
Tell us what's broken and we'll tell you whether it can be repaired, or request a quote online.
“Was very happy with the service received. I needed a new car key fob because my one had broken. I was provided with a new car key fob and my old car key fob was also fixed. Now I have two working key fobs. Very happy.”