In the door lock
Often in cold weather or after years of wear. I extract the piece and make sure the door locks and unlocks normally.
Broken key extraction · Open 24 hours, 7 days
Broken Key Extraction in Southampton and Hampshire
Has your car key snapped in the door lock or the ignition? My broken key extraction service removes the snapped piece with specialist tools, without damaging the lock, then cut and program a replacement key on the spot. I am Shane, a trained auto locksmith based in Eastleigh, covering Southampton and the rest of Hampshire.
- No damage to the lock
- New key cut on site
- Open 24 hours
5.0 on Google100+ reviews
Broken key removedLock left working
- 30 to 45 minutesTypical arrival
- 30 car makesCars and vans
- No call-out feeWithin 6 miles of Eastleigh
- 12 month warrantyOn keys I supply
Broken keys
Why Car Keys Snap and How I Remove Them
Car keys rarely break without warning. Years of use wear the blade thin, a key on a heavy keyring puts constant strain on the ignition, and cold weather or a stiff lock means more force is needed to turn it. Eventually the metal gives way, often leaving part of the blade stuck inside the lock.
Removing it properly needs the right tools and a steady hand. I use thin extraction tools that slide in beside the broken blade and hook it back out, without pushing it deeper or damaging the wafers inside the lock. Once the piece is out, I check the lock turns freely and cut a new key, so you are not left with half a key taped together.
If the key snapped but the car still runs
Sometimes the broken part stays in the ignition in the on position and the engine keeps running. It may feel like a lucky escape, but the car is not secure and the lock is under strain. Park somewhere safe and call me rather than trying to remove it yourself.
Where keys snap
Where Car Keys Commonly Break
A key can snap in any lock, but these are the places I am called to most.
In the ignition
The most common place for a key to snap, usually from wear or a heavy keyring pulling on the barrel.
In the boot lock
Boot locks get less use and can seize, which puts extra strain on the key when you do turn it.
Snapped outside the lock
The blade broke away from the head but is not stuck. The pieces can often help me cut and program a new key.
Flip key blade snapped
Folding blades wear at the hinge. I replace the key and program the new remote so everything works as before.
Key bent or twisted
A bent key is close to snapping. Replacing it now avoids an extraction job later.
Related services
What You May Need Next
After an extraction, one of these services often follows.
Lock damaged
Ignition Barrel Repair
If the ignition barrel itself is worn or damaged, I repair or replace it on site.
Ignition barrel repairNew key neededCar Key Replacement
A replacement key cut to your locks and programmed to your car.
Car key replacementOnly one keySpare Car Keys
Get a spare made while I am there, so a snapped key never strands you again.
Spare car keysLocked out as wellCar Lockout
The key broke in the door and you cannot get in. I open the car without damage.
Car lockout serviceStep by step
How I Remove a Broken Key
The aim is to get the broken piece out without making the problem worse.
Assess the lock
I check where the broken piece sits and whether the lock itself has been damaged.
Extract the blade
Using thin extraction tools, I hook the broken blade out without pushing it further into the lock.
Check the lock
I test that the lock turns freely and that no fragments are left behind.
Cut a new key
I cut a new blade, using the broken pieces or by decoding the lock if they are unusable.
Program and test
The new key is programmed to the immobiliser and tested in every lock before I leave.
Before I arrive
What Not to Do With a Snapped Key
A few common mistakes can turn a quick extraction into a lock replacement.
Do not use superglue
Glue can bond the blade to the inside of the lock and ruin it completely.
Do not dig with tools
Screwdrivers and pins push the piece deeper and can damage the wafers.
Do not push with the other half
Trying to push the broken piece through with the remaining blade usually jams it further.
Keep both pieces
The broken parts can help me cut a new key, so keep them safe until I arrive.
Early warning
Signs Your Car Key Is About to Snap
Catching these early means a simple spare key instead of an extraction.
The blade is bent
Even a slight bend concentrates stress at one point on the blade.
The key looks thin
Heavy wear on the cuts or the shoulder means the metal is weakening.
The lock feels stiff
A stiff lock makes you use more force, which is how most keys snap.
A crack near the head
Cracks where the blade meets the head or the hinge often come before a break.
Pricing
What Affects the Cost of Broken Key Extraction?
Most extractions are quick, but the full price depends on the lock and on the new key your car needs.
Get a fixed priceWhere it snapped
Ignition, door and boot locks each need a different approach.
Condition of the lock
A lock damaged by earlier attempts to remove the key takes more work.
The new key
The type of key your car uses decides the cost of the replacement.
Programming
Keys with chips or remotes need programming to the car after cutting.
Makes and models
Broken Key Extraction for Most Makes
I remove broken keys from Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Renault, BMW and many other makes. Ignitions on high mileage vehicles are the most common, as the barrel and the key wear together over time. Coverage for the replacement key depends on the model, year and key system.
- Ford
- Vauxhall
- Volkswagen
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Audi
- Land Rover
- Nissan
- Toyota
- Peugeot
- +20See every make I cover
Where I work
Broken Key Extraction Across Southampton and Hampshire
Whether the key snapped at home in Eastleigh or in a car park in Southampton, Winchester or Portsmouth, I come to you. See all the areas I cover, or have a look at my recent jobs.
- Southampton
- Eastleigh
- Chandler’s Ford
- Hedge End
- Winchester
- Portsmouth
- Fareham
- Gosport
- New Forest
- Salisbury
5.0
From 100+ Google reviews
Questions
Broken Key Extraction FAQs
Key snapped right now? Call me. Otherwise, send me a message with a photo.
Can you remove a broken key without damaging the lock?
Yes. I use specialist extraction tools that hook the broken blade out without forcing it, so the lock is left working.
Can you make a new key from the broken pieces?
Often, yes. If the pieces are usable, I cut the new blade from them. If not, I decode the lock and cut the key that way.
Will I need a new ignition barrel?
Not usually. Most broken keys come out cleanly. If the barrel is worn or damaged, I tell you and can repair or replace it on site.
Why did my car key snap?
The most common causes are a worn blade, a heavy keyring pulling on the ignition, a stiff lock and cold weather. A bent key is a sign it may snap soon.
Is it safe to keep driving with part of the key in the ignition?
It is best not to. The car may not be secure and the lock is under strain. Park safely and call me.
Do you remove keys from boot and door locks too?
Yes. I extract broken keys from door locks, ignitions, boot locks and locking fuel caps.
How much does broken key extraction cost?
It depends on where the key has snapped and what key your car needs. Send me a photo and your registration for a fixed price.
Key Snapped? Call Me Now
Send me a photo of the broken key and your registration, or just call, and I will give you a price and an arrival time.