Keys locked in the car
The keys are on the seat or in the ignition and the doors have locked. I open the door without damage.
Locked keys in car Southampton · Open 24 hours, 7 days
Locked Keys in Car in Southampton and Hampshire
Locked keys in car in Southampton, in the boot or in a van? I come to you and open the vehicle with specialist entry tools, so there is no smashed window and no damage to the locks or paintwork. I am Shane, a local auto locksmith based in Eastleigh, and I answer the phone day and night.
- No damage entry
- Open 24 hours
- Typical arrival 30 to 45 minutes
5.0 on Google100+ reviews
Opened without damageCars and vans
- 30 to 45 minutesTypical arrival
- 30 car makesCars and vans
- No call-out feeWithin 6 miles of Eastleigh
- 12 month warrantyOn keys I supply
Car lockout
Locked Out of Your Car? Here Is What Happens Next
Locking your keys in the car usually happens at the worst moment, with shopping in the boot, the children in a hurry or a meeting to get to. The good news is that a lockout is normally quick to solve, and the car can be opened without breaking anything.
I use non-destructive entry tools made for the job, from air wedges and long reach tools to specialist lock picks. They let me open the door or reach the release without forcing the lock or scratching the paint. Once the car is open, I check the keys work and that the doors lock and unlock properly before I leave.
If a child or pet is locked inside
If a child or animal is locked in the vehicle and is in distress, or it is a hot day, call 999 straight away. The emergency services can act faster than anyone else. For everything else, call me and I will get to you as quickly as I can.
Common situations
Common Car Lockout Situations
These are the lockouts I am called to most often, day and night.
Keys locked in the boot
Many cars lock the boot automatically. Depending on the model, I open the boot directly or reach the release from inside.
Flat key fob battery
The remote will not unlock the doors. I get you in, and many keyless cars can still be started with a flat fob held in the right spot.
Deadlocked doors
Some cars deadlock so the inside handles will not open the doors. These take more care, and I have the tools for them.
Van lockouts
Tools, stock or paperwork locked in the van. I open work vans without damage so you can get back to the job.
Locks not responding
If the locks will not respond even with the key, I get you in and check whether the key, the battery or the lock is at fault.
Related services
Is It More Than a Lockout?
Sometimes the problem is not just being locked out. These pages cover the next step.
Keys missing
Lost Car Keys
If the keys are not in the car at all, I can make a new key on site.
Lost car keysRemote deadKey Fob Programming
If the fob still will not unlock the car after a new battery, it may need reprogramming.
Key fob programmingKey snapped in the lockBroken Key Extraction
Part of the key broken off in the door or ignition, removed without damage.
Broken key extractionKey will not turnIgnition Barrel Repair
You are in the car, but the key will not turn in the ignition.
Ignition repairsStep by step
How I Open Your Car Without Damage
Most lockouts take far less time to sort than people expect.
Call me
Tell me where the car is, the make and model, and where the keys are if you can see them.
Honest arrival time
I give you a price and an arrival time. Typical arrival is 30 to 45 minutes across Southampton and Eastleigh.
Check ownership
Before I open the car, I ask for reasonable proof the vehicle is yours. If the documents are inside, we check them once it is open.
Non-destructive entry
I open the door or boot with specialist tools, with no forcing and no damage to the glass, locks or paint.
Final checks
I make sure the keys work, the doors lock and unlock, and nothing has been left disturbed inside.
Your options
Why Not Just Break a Window?
It can be tempting to break a small window and reach in, especially in a hurry or bad weather. This is how that compares with calling an auto locksmith.
| What matters | Breaking a window | Lucky Lock Master |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to the car | Broken glass to clear and replace | No damage to glass, locks or paint |
| Cost afterwards | A replacement window on top | One fixed price for the job |
| Security | The car is left open until the glass is fixed | Locks and doors working as normal |
| Risk of injury | Broken glass and sharp edges | None |
| Time to drive away | Waiting for a glass repair | As soon as the door is open |
While you wait
What to Do While You Wait for Me
A few simple steps make the job quicker and keep you safe.
Stay somewhere safe
If you are at the roadside, move away from traffic and wait in a safe, well lit place.
Keep your phone charged
I call when I am close. If your battery is low, let me know when you book.
Do not force the door
Coat hangers and screwdrivers can damage the weather seals, the wiring and the paint.
Check for a spare
If someone at home has a spare key, it is worth checking before I set off, as it may save you the call-out.
Recent work
A Recent Lockout Job
One of the many lockouts I am called to across Hampshire.
Ford Focus ST, Keys Locked Inside
A 2012 Ford Focus ST with the keys locked inside. I opened the car with no damage at all, and the owner took the chance to have a new key cut on the spot, so it would not happen again.
See more recent jobs I have done across Hampshire.
Makes and models
Lockout Help for Most Car and Van Makes
I open cars and vans from every major manufacturer, from a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa to a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Land Rover. Some vehicles with deadlocks or advanced alarms need more care, so let me know the make and model when you call.
- Ford
- Vauxhall
- Volkswagen
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Audi
- Land Rover
- Nissan
- Toyota
- Peugeot
- +20See every make I cover
Where I work
Car Lockout Help in Southampton and Across Hampshire
Being locked out is always urgent, so I keep travel times as short as I can. I am based in Eastleigh, which means Southampton, Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End are reached quickly, and I cover Winchester, Portsmouth and the New Forest too. See every area I cover.
- Southampton
- Eastleigh
- Chandler’s Ford
- Hedge End
- Winchester
- Portsmouth
- Fareham
- Gosport
- New Forest
- Salisbury
Customer reviews
What Customers Say
Plenty of my Google reviews come from drivers who were locked out. Read the reviews for yourself.
5.0
From 100+ Google reviews
Will opening my car cause any damage?
No. I use non-destructive entry tools made for vehicles, so there is no damage to the glass, locks or paintwork.
How quickly can you get to me?
Typical arrival is 30 to 45 minutes across Southampton and Eastleigh. Further out, such as Winchester, Portsmouth or the New Forest, allow 35 to 60 minutes.
Can you open the boot if the keys are inside it?
Yes, on most vehicles. Depending on the model, I open the boot directly or open the car first and use the boot release.
What if the keys are not in the car?
If the keys are lost rather than locked in, I can make a new one on site as part of my car key replacement service.
Do you open vans as well as cars?
Yes. I open most vans, including Transit, Sprinter, Vivaro and Transporter, without damage.
Is there a call-out fee?
There is no call-out fee within 6 miles of Eastleigh. Further out, I tell you the full price before I set off.
Do you work at night?
Yes. I work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays.
Locked Keys in Car in Southampton? Call Me Now
Tell me where you are and what you drive, and I will give you a price and an arrival time straight away.