Car Keys Stolen? How to Secure Your Car | Birmingham Auto
Open 24/7
Nights, weekends, bank holidays
We come to you
Home, work, roadside or car park
Price agreed first
Quoted before we set off
Ownership checked
Photo ID and proof required
Quick answer
Keys stolen? Act in this order: make sure you're safe, report it to the police, then secure the car — we can wipe the stolen key from your car's memory so it can never start it. Call 07425 435697 now — open 24/7.
Do this now, in this order
If the theft just happened or you feel threatened, get somewhere safe and call 999. Your safety matters more than the car.
Non-emergency: 101 (or 999 if it's happening now). Get a crime reference number — your insurer will ask for it.
Whoever has your keys knows where the car is. If you can't move it, at least don't leave valuables in it.
We come to the car, create new keys, and wipe the stolen key from the car's memory. After that, the stolen key won't start your car.
With the crime reference number. Check whether you have key cover before you pay out of pocket.
- Make sure you're safe.If the theft just happened or you feel threatened, get somewhere safe and call 999. Your safety matters more than the car.
- Report it to the police.Non-emergency: 101 (or 999 if it's happening now). Get a crime reference number — your insurer will ask for it.
- Don't leave the car where it is if you can help it.Whoever has your keys knows where the car is. If you can't move it, at least don't leave valuables in it.
- Call us to secure it.We come to the car, create new keys, and wipe the stolen key from the car's memory. After that, the stolen key won't start your car.
- Tell your insurer.With the crime reference number. Check whether you have key cover before you pay out of pocket.
What "wiping the key" actually means
Your car's immobiliser holds a list of keys it's allowed to start from. When we program your new keys, we delete the stolen one from that list. The stolen key becomes a useless piece of plastic and metal — it won't start the car, full stop.
One honest caveat: on most cars the old key also won't unlock the car after a proper wipe and reprogram, but the critical thing — starting and driving away — is blocked. We'll explain exactly what your car's system does when you call.
Should you also change the locks?
Usually not necessary — once the stolen key is wiped from the immobiliser, it can't start the car, which is what matters. If the theft involved your house keys too, that's a different conversation (and a locksmith for your home, not us). We'll give you a straight recommendation based on your situation, not an upsell.
What you'll need
- Photo ID and proof of ownership — V5C logbook ideally. We're extra careful on stolen-key jobs, for obvious reasons.
- The crime reference number — helpful for us, essential for your insurer.
Related services
- Emergency Car Lockout
- Lost Car Key Replacement
- All Keys Lost
- Broken Key Extraction
- Spare Car Key
Related questions
My car keys were stolen — what should I do right now?
First, move the car somewhere secure if you can still drive it, or make sure it's locked and somewhere safe. Then call us on 07425 435697 — we can erase the stolen key from the immobiliser so it can't start the car, and cut you new keys.
Can the thief still open the car with the stolen key?
Erasing it from the immobiliser stops it starting the engine. But the blade may still physically turn the door lock on some cars — if you're worried, ask us about changing the locks as well as the keys.
Should I call the police as well?
Yes — report stolen keys to the police and get a crime reference number. You'll need it for any insurance claim, and it creates a record if the car is targeted later.
Need a locksmith, not just a guide?
Call 07425 435697 — open 24/7 across Birmingham. Tell us the make and model and we'll give you an honest price before we set off.
Open 24/7 — nights, weekends and bank holidays included.