Mobile Spare Car Key Production/Ford
Two Working Keys For This Ford EcoSport
Hythe
The owner of this Ford EcoSport in Hythe had one working key and wanted a dependable spare before that single key became a more urgent problem.
View jobSpare car keys
Spare Car Keys | Mobile Car Key Cutting & Copying
One key for one car is a problem waiting to happen. New Forest Auto Locksmith cuts and programs spare car keys at your home or workplace across the New Forest, usually within the hour, so the day you can't find your key is just an inconvenience.
- 7 years' experience
- Cut and programmed at your address
- 8am–11pm, seven days
- No upfront payment
- Remote, transponder and smart keys
A complete second key
What Is A Spare Car Key, And Why Get One Now?
A spare car key is a second working key, cut to fit your car's locks and registered with its immobiliser so it starts the engine on its own. It's quickest and cheapest to make while you still have a working key to copy, because the blade can be read from that key and many cars allow a simpler programming routine.
A Second Key, Not Just A Copied Blade
Having car keys cut at a shop copies the metal blade, but on almost every car built since the late 1990s, that blade alone won't start the engine. The chip inside the key head has to be recognised by the car, and the remote buttons have to be paired. A proper spare car key does all three, so it works exactly like the original.
Cheaper While One Key Still Works
A second car key is cheapest to make now. With a key to copy, there's no lock to decode and no security system to rebuild from scratch. If the only key goes missing first, the job becomes an all-keys-lost replacement, which takes longer and costs more. See Lost Car Keys if that has already happened.
Only got one key? Call to book a spare: 023 8218 2674
Planned key work
Who Usually Asks For A Spare Car Key?
Most spares are booked in calm circumstances, which is the best way to do it.
Second-Hand Cars Sold With One Key
Plenty of used cars change hands with a single key, and the buyer only notices weeks later. A second car key made soon after purchase removes the risk while it's still easy to fix.
A Second Driver In The Household
Partners, grown-up children and learner drivers sharing one car is the most common reason for a spare. A car key copy for each driver works on its own, without passing one key around.
Vans Shared Between Staff
Trade and company vans often need two or three working keys for different drivers. Spare van keys are covered in more detail on our Van Key Replacement page.
Keeping A Key Away From The Car
Walkers, swimmers and anyone who has ever shut a key in the boot know the value of a spare key fob kept at home, or by someone nearby, rather than in the same bag.
Four stages
Car Key Cutting & Programming, Step By Step
The method depends on the car and the key, but car key duplication always goes through the same four stages.
Reading The Existing Key
A car key copy starts by reading the cuts on your existing key and identifying the right blank, whether it's a traditional edge-cut blade or a laser-cut, high-security profile. If your key is badly worn, the cuts can be taken from the lock instead, so the spare isn't a copy of the wear.
Cutting The Blade In The Van
Mobile key cutting means the blade is cut on precision machines in the van, beside your car. Most smart keys also hide a mechanical emergency blade, and that's cut too, so the door still opens if the fob battery dies.
Adding The Key To The Immobiliser
The car keeps a list of keys it accepts, and the spare has to be added to it. On many vehicles this is done through the diagnostic socket under the dashboard. Some makes, including many Ford and Vauxhall models, need a security PIN first, which our equipment can usually retrieve. Others have an onboard learning routine that works when a working key is present. On certain premium vehicles, such as BMWs with CAS, FEM or BDC modules, the spare is prepared using data read from the car's security module.
Pairing The Remote & Keyless Functions
The remote buttons are often paired as a separate step. On keyless cars, such as Volkswagen group models with the KESSY system, the proximity function is set up so a spare key fob opens and starts the car hands-free. Before we leave, both keys are tested to lock, unlock and start the car.
Programming choice
Cloned Key Or A Separately Programmed Key?
When you copy car key chips, there are two methods, and the difference matters if a key is ever lost.
| Cloned key | Separately programmed key | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Copies the chip data from your existing key | Registered with the car as a new, separate key |
| How the car sees it | As the same key as the original | As a key in its own right |
| Can one be deleted if lost | No, both share one identity | Yes, on most vehicles |
| Available on | Some vehicles | Most vehicles |
Cloning can be a quick option where a car supports it, but a separately programmed key is usually the better long-term choice. We'll recommend the right method for your car and explain why.
Vehicle-specific quote
How Much Is A Spare Car Key?
A spare car key is priced for your specific vehicle, because the key hardware and the programming method vary widely. A transponder key for an older car is at the lower end, while a smart key for a recent premium model costs more. Either way, a spare made from a working key costs less than replacing a key once every key has gone.
What Changes The Price
The make and model, whether it's a basic transponder key, a spare remote key or a keyless fob, and how the car accepts new keys all affect the cost. A car that allows onboard learning is quicker than one needing module data.
Price First, Payment After
You'll know the price before anything is cut, and there's nothing to pay upfront. If the key system turns out to differ from what was described, the revised price comes first, with no call-out charge if you decide not to go ahead.
Call for a spare key price: 023 8218 2674Spare-key questions
Spare Car Key FAQs
The vehicle, existing key and ownership documents need to be present for programming and testing.
Related help
Other Key Services
Already lost your only key? See Lost Car Keys. A key that no longer starts the car may only need reprogramming: see Car Key Programming. A worn or cracked key can often be repaired before it fails: see Broken Car Keys. All our key services are on the Services page.
Vehicle coverage
Spare Keys For Most Makes & Models
We cut and program spare car keys for most makes, from Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen to BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, along with Japanese and Korean brands. That covers basic transponder keys, spare remote keys and keyless smart keys. Give us the registration and we'll confirm the right key before booking.
Premium & specialist
Japanese & imports
Our work
Recent jobs around the New Forest
Mobile Spare Car Key Production/Ford
Ford Ranger Spare Key Produced In Ringwood
Ringwood
The owner of this Ford Ranger in Ringwood had one working key and wanted a dependable spare before that single key became a more urgent problem.
View job
Mobile Spare Car Key Production/BMW
Adding A Dependable Backup Key To A BMW 1 Series
Sway
The owner of this BMW 1 Series in Sway had one working key and wanted a dependable spare before that single key became a more urgent problem.
View jobBook A Spare Car Key
Spare car keys are planned work, so we can fit the appointment around you. These details help us bring the right key first time.
Mobile key cutting means you get car keys cut at home or at work, anywhere across the New Forest, from Totton to New Milton. You can also contact us online.
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Registration number
- Type of key: standard, remote or smart
- How many working keys you have now
- Where the car will be
Free quote
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
Ready when you are
Ready For A Spare Key?
Call with the registration and the type of key you have now, or request a quote online for an appointment at home or work.