5 best car locksmiths in Birmingham to call if you’re stranded
It’s the worst feeling. You’ve just wrapped up a long day at work and you’re finally ready to go home. You walk to the parking lot, already thinking about putting your feet up. Then you realise… you forgot your keys inside the car.
I’ve been there. The brief wave of panic? Totally normal.
But here’s the good news: Birmingham has plenty of reliable car locksmiths who can help fast.
So if you ever find yourself in the same spot, don’t stress. My team and I did the digging to find the best car locksmiths in Birmingham for those “oops” moments.
| How much do car locksmith services cost in Birmingham? Car locksmith services in Birmingham can cost between £49 and £250. It will all depend on the service type, vehicle model, and whether it’s an emergency or out-of-hours call. |
1. Fox Locks
Phone: +44 7501 632010
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Fox Locks stood out to us because they focus on non-destructive entry. Not every locksmith prioritises that, but it matters when you’re driving a newer model or a classic car.
We like how they’ve invested in the right tools and techniques to avoid that damage entirely.
Another highlight is their mobile key-cutting and programming van. It’s fully equipped, so they can come to you and cut or program keys on the spot, even transponder and remote keys.
It’s a huge help if you’re stuck on the roadside or can’t get your car started. Not every local locksmith offers that kind of service for newer vehicles with advanced security systems.
From what we’ve gathered, people really value their honesty too.
One person told us they were quoted three times the price elsewhere before contacting Fox Locks. Scott and his team resolved the problem quickly and didn’t try to upsell a new key, which says a lot about how they run their business.
That said, we heard from someone who had to wait around two hours for them to show up. It’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Had my new car keys for a while now and have had no issues with them
“Bought a new car which had an issue with the door not locking with the key, therefore the whole car would not lock, and I needed to get my car urgently. The gentleman from Fox Locks came down on the same day and made a new remote key for my car. He did this very quickly. The remote key is way more convenient as well. Had it for a while now and had no issues with it.”
Adris Ghafar, Google review
I will always recommend Fox Locks to anyone who needs it!
“Brilliant service, attended when agreed, fixed the issue and made a spare key for a fraction of what the main dealer wanted to charge. I will always recommend Fox Locks to anyone who needs it! Thank you again!”
Cas Fraser, Google review
2. CDS Car Keys
Address: 50 Farm Rd, Sparkbrook
Phone: +44 7818 499901
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
We were impressed by how much CDS Car Keys can do. They handle regular car keys, smart keys, and even transponders for luxury brands like Mercedes and Jaguar.
It’s a real advantage if you’re driving a high-end car and want to avoid pricey dealership prices.
One thing we really liked is that you don’t need to tow your car if you’ve lost all your keys or if it won’t start. They’ll come to you and sort everything out on-site, including programming the new key.
A customer we came across praised their technician, Cameron, for being efficient and knowledgeable. Even with a flat battery and a car alarm going off, he still managed to get everything sorted within 20 minutes. That says a lot about their experience.
They’re also approved to install Ghost Immobilisers, which are becoming more important these days as car theft methods become more sophisticated.
On top of that, they install insurance-approved trackers and deadlocks. They’re not just helping you in emergencies, they’re also focused on long-term car security.
We also liked that their keys come with a 12-month warranty. It’s a small thing, but it gives peace of mind.
The only downside we noticed is that they can be a bit pricier than some other locksmiths. But given the quality and the range of their services, we think it’s still great value.
I was thoroughly pleased with the service provided
“After being recommended by my family, I sought the services of CDS Car Keys, and I must say, I was thoroughly pleased with the service provided. The technician did an outstanding job, efficiently resolving the issue on the spot. He not only identified the issue but also explained it clearly. Furthermore, he kindly helped me reprogram a lost key that was set to a different frequency at no additional cost. I appreciate the top-notch service and would not hesitate to suggest their services to others.”
Mahaz Khan, Google review
He has been extremely helpful & very professional
“Cam was recommended to us by a family friend, and we have used his key replacement service twice. We have been very happy with the service provided as he has been extremely helpful & very professional whenever he has come out to do key replacements. Both times, Cam has either come out the same day or the following day. He is very reliable & we would recommend him to everyone!”
Alima Sadaya, Google review
3. C&T Locksmiths
Address: Shop, 123 Flaxley Rd, Stechford
Phone: +44 121 783 0442
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
C&T Locksmiths has been around for over 35 years, and it shows.
We found out that they’re official members of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). This means they’ve been properly checked, tested, and held to a higher standard.
We also appreciated that all their staff are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)-checked. That’s important when you’re calling someone out in an emergency and letting them into your car.
Most of their former clients said the team is polite and direct. Plus, they don’t try to push expensive fixes unlike other car locksmiths out there.
One person mentioned they were quoted £300-£400 elsewhere for a car lock issue, but Mark at C&T suggested replacing just the blade. It worked, and it cost way less.
On the flip side, we did hear a few complaints about C&T locksmiths arriving a little later than expected. It doesn’t seem to be a regular thing, though. It probably just depends on how busy they are at the time.
Brilliant customer service, very knowledgeable and didn’t rip me off!
“Absolutely amazing service!! Talked me through how to unlock the car and get it started over the phone (car is keyless). It was a 20-minute phone call that they didn’t need to have with me!! I live on the other side of the city, a good 45/50 mins away, but I still drove to them to get my car key sorted and will continue to drive to them every time I have an issue!! I honestly cannot recommend them enough, brilliant customer service, very knowledgeable and didn’t rip me off!”
Kiran Kataria, Google review
He was polite, professional, honest and went above and beyond
“This review is a long time coming, and sorry to Mark for taking ages to write it! I struck gold when I chose to use C&T Locksmith to get a spare car key programmed, after I’d lost mine. He was polite, professional, honest and went above and beyond to give excellent service. I highly recommend him and this company. I won’t use another company from now on! Thank you so much, Mark!”
Holli Young, Google review
4. MrLock Car Keys
Phone: +44 7979 374288
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
We really like how well-prepared MrLock Car Keys are when they arrive. The team comes fully equipped with key stock and programming tools, so they don’t need to drive off somewhere to cut a key or finish the job later.
It’s also another big plus for us that they handle all sorts of vehicles, including newer models with tricky security systems.
We also spoke with a few customers who mentioned that MrLock has helped them with vans. Some even more than once.
From what we gathered, van key issues seem to be something they handle especially well. So if you’re a tradesperson or run a business and rely on a van, they might be a smart option.
In terms of cost, they’re a cheaper alternative to main dealers. And it’s good to see they accept card payments too.
Their average response time is about 45 minutes. It’s quite decent and clearly faster than waiting around for a dealership appointment. But we’ve seen a few other locksmiths in the area that have faster arrival times, sometimes under 30 minutes.
So while they’re reliable, they might not always be the quickest option if you’re in a real pinch.
A very good service
“A very good service. We unfortunately broke down due to the vehicle’s ignition. Mr Lock was very helpful, explained the whole process, the costs and the solution! Very friendly and knew the trade, we had the van back on the road in record time, in my opinion. It was hardly a disruption to the company, well done.”
Stephen Aston, Google review
My car was fixed the same day without an appointment…
“My car was fixed the same day without an appointment and he came to the location while I was unable to move the car, he programmed my old key, made me another new key and also changed my ignition, all in less than 4 hours from the time I contacted him, call with confidence.”
Alexandra Ion, Google review
5. Duplicut Locksmiths Ltd
Address: 39 Kings Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield
Phone: +44 121 354 1449
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Duplicut Locksmiths Ltd is the only auto locksmith company in Birmingham with members registered with the Auto Locksmiths Association (ALA). This means they’re vetted, insured, and operate to a recognised professional standard.
Their mobile service is another strong point. We liked that their vans aren’t just for transport but also for their rolling locksmith workshops.
They carry various key blanks and even have the tools needed to program transponder chips right on the spot.
We also appreciated how transparent and easy to talk to their technicians. One customer really appreciated Steve, one of the shop’s locksmiths. He explained each step of a tricky ignition barrel repair and also showed the defective part afterwards.
They also work with vans and motorcycles. Van keys often need extra coding, and not every locksmith is comfortable with that.
They also help with motorcycle keys, whether you need a spare or a replacement for a lost one. That’s a niche service that’s not easy to find.
If we had to point out a small downside, it’s that they’re closed on Sundays. So if your key disaster happens on a Sunday morning, you’ll need to wait until Monday.
These guys are knowledgeable in this field
“Steve assisted me with reprogramming my car keys. From the first conversation, it was clear that these guys are knowledgeable in this field, and they didn’t disappoint. Came out promptly on the day we agreed, and delivered a clean & swift service. Would highly recommend these guys.”
Quincy Okeke, Google review
Sorted straight away at a really good and cheap price
“Contacted Duplicut in regards to getting a new car key cut, as mine had started bending. They advised that they could help and to come down to the shop. Went no problems at all, got it sorted straight away at a really good and cheap price! Definitely recommend”
Amy Harvey, Google review