Mobile auto locksmith extracting a broken key from a car door lock
Extraction from £49

Key Snapped in the Lock? We'll Extract It — Without Damage

DIY extraction with improvised tools usually pushes the fragment deeper. Our technicians carry professional automotive extraction tools and can cut a replacement key on the same visit.

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Broken Key Extraction — Safe, Professional, On-Site

A key snapped in a car door lock or ignition is a frustrating situation — and attempting DIY extraction with improvised tools can push the fragment deeper or damage the lock. TuneCar’s mobile auto locksmiths use professional extraction tools designed specifically for automotive locks.

Common Broken Key Scenarios We Handle

  • Key blade snapped off in the door lock (half inside, half in your hand)
  • Key broken flush inside the ignition barrel
  • Key stub stuck in the boot lock
  • Worn flip key blade broken during use

Our Extraction Process

  1. Arrive at your location — no towing required
  2. Assess the break point and lock condition
  3. Apply professional extraction tools (hook picks, spiral extractors)
  4. Remove the key fragment without lock damage
  5. Inspect the lock barrel for secondary damage
  6. Cut and programme a replacement key on the same visit if required

A Worn Key Is a Warning

Keys rarely snap without notice — hairline cracks, a loose blade or a worn profile usually come first. If your only key is showing its age, get a spare cut and programmed from £99 before it strands you. A spare made from a healthy key is also more accurate than one copied from a worn-out original.

Precision key cutting machine preparing a replacement car key blade

Quick Quote

Send your registration number and a photo of your key — we'll reply with an exact price.

See Pricing

Broken Key Extraction Prices

Broken key extraction (door / boot)
from £49
Broken key extraction (ignition)

Ignition barrels need more careful, slower work

from £69
Extraction + new blade key cut

Fresh blade cut on the same visit

from £79
Extraction + spare key cut & programmed

Full working replacement including transponder coding

from £129

Prices shown are starting prices and include key supply, cutting and programming where applicable. The final price depends on the vehicle make, model, year, key type and whether a working key is available. Send us your registration number and a photo of your current key for an exact quote.

How It Works

1

Stop — don't poke it

Improvised tools push the fragment deeper. Leave the lock alone and call us.

2

We come to you

No towing needed — extraction happens wherever your car is parked.

3

Professional extraction

Spiral extractors and hook picks remove the fragment without harming the lock.

4

Replacement on the spot

If the key is beyond saving, we cut and programme a new one on the same visit.

Spare Key or All Keys Lost?

This is the single biggest factor in your price. Check which scenario applies to you — the difference in cost and workload is significant.

Spare Key

You still have at least one working key. We cut and programme the new key alongside your working one — the job is quicker and cheaper.

  • • Usually 30–60 minutes on site
  • • No vehicle entry or lock decoding needed
  • • Transponder key from £99
Spare Car Keys →
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All Keys Lost

No working key exists. The job may involve vehicle entry, lock decoding, cutting a blade from scratch, immobiliser work and deleting the old keys from the vehicle's memory.

  • • Usually 60–120 minutes on site
  • • Old keys stop working — better security
  • • Transponder key from £199
Lost Car Keys →

Get an Exact Quote in Minutes

Send us these details on WhatsApp and we'll reply with an exact price for your vehicle — no long phone call needed:

  • 1.Registration number
  • 2.Make, model and year
  • 3.Your postcode
  • 4.Whether you still have a working key
  • 5.A photo of your current key

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you extract a broken key without replacing the lock? +

In most cases, yes. Our technicians use specialist extraction tools designed to remove broken key fragments without damaging the lock cylinder. Lock replacement is only advised if the lock is already damaged.

What causes keys to break in locks? +

Keys typically break due to wear and fatigue in the metal, frozen locks (UK winters), applying too much force on a stiff lock, or using a poorly cut duplicate key.

How much does broken key extraction cost? +

Broken key extraction starts from £49 for door and boot locks, and from £69 for ignition barrels. If a new key is also required, we can cut a fresh blade from £79 or supply a full cut-and-programmed spare from £129 on the same visit.

Can you do this at my location? +

Yes — TuneCar is fully mobile. We come to your car wherever it is and extract the broken key on-site using professional tools.

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