Broken Car Key Help in East London
A broken car key can stop your day in its tracks. Whether your car key has snapped in the lock, is bent, cracked, or the plastic head has come apart, our specialist auto locksmiths in East London can safely remove, repair, or replace it on the spot. We provide fast, mobile assistance for broken car keys across the E postcode area.
Need urgent help with a broken car key?
Call 020 4634 3057 for immediate assistance anywhere in East London.
When You Have A Broken Car Key
A damaged or snapped key is more than an inconvenience – forcing it can cause costly damage to your lock or ignition. With over 10 years’ experience as a trusted mobile car locksmith in East London, we handle all kinds of broken key problems every day.
Common situations we help with include:
- Car key snapped in the door lock – often on older or worn keys, or in cold weather
- Car key broken in the ignition – the blade stuck inside and the plastic head in your hand
- Bent or twisted car key – the key no longer goes into the lock or ignition smoothly
- Cracked plastic key head – the blade works but feels loose or wobbly
- Worn out car key – the cuts on the key are rounded and it barely turns the lock
- Damaged flip key or remote – the flip mechanism or key blade has broken away from the fob
- Key stuck in ignition and will not turn – risk of ignition damage if forced
If any of this sounds familiar, it is important not to keep trying the key. Continuing to use a damaged key can:
- Jam your door or boot lock completely
- Break the key blade off inside the lock or ignition
- Damage the ignition barrel, making repairs more complicated and expensive
Instead, contact a professional auto locksmith who can extract the broken key safely and cut a precise replacement. You can see all related issues on our main car key and lock problems page.
Our Broken Car Key Solutions
We are a fully mobile auto locksmith service covering East London and the whole E postcode region – including Stratford, East Ham, Canary Wharf, Leyton, Walthamstow, Hackney, Barking, and surrounding areas. We come to your vehicle with dealer-level tools and stock to sort your broken car key problem roadside, at home, or at work.
Non-Destructive Broken Car Key Extraction
Wherever possible, we use non-destructive methods to remove a broken key from a:
- Door lock
- Boot lock
- Ignition barrel
- Fuel cap or glove box lock
Using specialist key extractors, magnification, and lock scopes, we carefully pull the broken blade out without drilling or damaging the lock.
Only in rare cases – for example, where the lock is already severely damaged or corroded – might drilling or replacement be required, and this is always discussed with you clearly before any work is carried out.
On-the-Spot Car Key Cutting & Duplication
After removing the broken key, we can:
- Cut a brand-new key blade using precision key cutting machines
- Recreate the key from the broken parts or from your lock if needed
- Provide spare car keys to prevent future emergencies
We handle:
- Standard metal car keys
- Laser cut car keys and other high-security vehicle keys
- Keys for vans and commercial vehicles
Our mobile workshop means we do not need to take the vehicle away – everything is done where you are.
If you simply need an extra working key and your old one is worn or unreliable, our dedicated Car Key Cutting & Duplication service may be ideal.
Car Key Programming And Transponder Chips
Modern car keys usually contain a transponder chip – a tiny electronic chip that talks to your car’s immobiliser and allows it to start. When fixing a broken car key, we ensure the electronics are dealt with properly:
- Transponder key programming
- Remote key programming for locking/unlocking
- Key fob repair if the casing is broken but the electronics are fine
- Moving the chip into a new shell or flip key housing
We use dealer-level diagnostics, including OBD2 key programming and, for some models, EEPROM and ECU/immobiliser programming, to ensure your new key works exactly as it should. If your broken key has also stopped locking or starting the car, we may also recommend our Car Key Programming service.
Broken Flip Keys And Remote Fobs
Flip keys and remote fobs are common on vehicles from brands such as Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Peugeot, and many others. Common issues include:
- Flip blade has snapped off
- Blade is loose and spins around
- Buttons or casing cracked or missing
- Key fob not responding after impact
We can usually:
- Fit a new key blade
- Replace the shell/casing and refit your original electronics
- Supply and code a new remote or smart key where required
If your key fob is not working properly as well as being physically damaged, take a look at our dedicated key fob not working troubleshooting page.
Ignition And Lock Damage From Broken Keys
A badly worn or broken key can damage your car’s:
- Door locks
- Boot lock
- Ignition switch
If the lock feels gritty, stiff, or the key will not turn, there may now be internal damage. In those cases, we can:
- Repair or replace your car ignition barrel
- Repair or replace damaged door and boot locks
- Recode replacement locks to your existing key where possible
For more detail on these issues, visit our page on car lock and ignition issues.
Why East London Drivers Trust Us With Broken Car Keys
Choosing the right auto locksmith can save you time, money, and stress – especially when your day has already been disrupted by a broken car key.
Local, Mobile, And Fully Equipped
- Based in East London, covering all E postcodes (E1–E20, E77, E98 and nearby), including areas such as Stratford, Canary Wharf, Hackney Central, Leyton, Barking, and more
- Mobile auto locksmith service – we come to you at home, work, or roadside
- Fully equipped vans with professional key cutters, dealer-level diagnostics, and tools for non-destructive entry
10+ Years’ Specialist Auto Locksmith Experience
- Over a decade working solely on vehicle locks, keys, and immobilisers
- Trained, DBS-checked technicians with public liability insurance
- Experience across all major brands, including:
- Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen (VW), BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz
- Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Citroën, Skoda, Volvo, Land Rover, and more
For brand-specific information, visit the brands we cover section.
Non-Destructive, Transparent, And Guaranteed
- We always aim for non-destructive entry and extraction first
- Any rare need for drilling or lock replacement is explained upfront, with options and costs
- Our workmanship and new keys are covered by warranty
- Clear, upfront quotes – no hidden charges or surprise extras
If you are comparing options, our dedicated auto locksmith prices in East London page explains how costs are calculated and why a specialist mobile locksmith is often cheaper and quicker than going to a main dealer.
What To Do Immediately If Your Car Key Breaks
To avoid making the problem worse:
-
Stop using the key
- Do not keep turning or wiggling a damaged key.
- If it is already difficult to turn, forcing it can snap the blade.
-
Check for any broken pieces
- If part of the key is missing, it may still be inside the lock or ignition.
- Do not try to dig it out with wire, pliers, or another key – this often pushes it deeper.
-
Secure your vehicle
- If the key has broken outside the vehicle and the door is still unlocked, close and lock it if possible.
- If you are locked out, stay with the vehicle if it is safe to do so.
-
Call a professional vehicle locksmith
- We can advise you over the phone and dispatch a technician to your location across East London.
Broken Car Keys For Different Vehicle Types
We work on:
- Cars – from small city run-arounds to 4x4s and estates
- Vans and commercial vehicles – including Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Transporter, and more
- Fleet vehicles – we can attend your business address to deal with multiple vehicles if needed
Our Van & Commercial Locksmith services are tailored specifically to tradespeople and businesses running vans and commercial vehicles across East London.
Related Services For Broken And Damaged Car Keys
Depending on your situation, you may also need:
- New keys made from scratch if you do not have any working key left – handled by our Car Key Replacement service
- Programming of replacement keys or fobs – handled by our Car Key Programming service
- Help with lost or stolen keys – see our page on lost or stolen car keys
If you are not sure exactly which service you need, you can always reach us directly via our contact our East London team page.
Broken Car Key FAQs
Can You Remove A Broken Key Without Damaging My Car?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. We use specialised non-destructive key extraction tools to remove broken blades from locks and ignitions without drilling. Only in rare cases where the lock is already badly damaged or seized might we recommend drilling or replacing the lock, and we will explain this clearly and get your approval before starting.
Can You Make A New Car Key From A Broken One?
Yes. As long as we have enough of the original key blade, we can usually cut a new key from the broken parts using our key cutting equipment. If the blade is too damaged, we can often decode the lock or use manufacturer data to create a new key and then program it to your car if required.
My Key Snapped In The Ignition – What Should I Do?
Switch everything off, remove your hand from the key, and do not try to start or force the ignition. Forcing it may push the broken piece deeper or damage the ignition barrel. Call us with your location in East London; we can attend, extract the broken key, check for ignition damage, and cut/programmme a replacement key if needed.
Will You Need My Car Taken To A Garage Or Dealer?
No. We are a fully mobile roadside auto locksmith. All broken key extraction, key cutting, and programming is done at your location – at home, at work, in a car park, or roadside. This is usually faster and more convenient than going to a main dealer, which often requires recovery and waiting days for a key.
How Long Does It Take To Fix A Broken Car Key?
It depends on the exact problem, but many broken key jobs – including extraction plus cutting and programming a new key – can be completed in a single visit. Simple broken key extraction and replacement can often be done the same day. When you call, we will ask for your vehicle make, model, and year to give a realistic expectation.
Can You Help If The Remote/Key Fob Is Also Not Working?
Yes. If the key fob has stopped working, we can test the electronics, replace the battery if needed, repair or replace the casing, and reprogram the remote to your car. If the electronics are beyond repair, we can supply and programme a new fob or smart key for most makes and models.
Get Expert Help For Your Broken Car Key In East London
Whether your key has snapped in the lock, broken in the ignition, or is simply too worn to be reliable, we provide a fast, professional solution anywhere in East London and the surrounding E postcode areas.
We are:
- Local to East London
- Fully mobile and well-equipped
- Experienced, insured, and DBS-checked
- Focused on non-destructive methods and clear, upfront pricing
Need help now? Call 020 4634 3057 or Email us for fast broken car key assistance in East London.
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