Cut to code
Precision cutting for a key that fits.
Mobile auto locksmith · New Forest
Ignition Repair New Forest | Key Won't Turn? Fixed Where You're Parked
Key stuck, spinning or refusing to turn? Ignition repair in the New Forest is done at the car, with the fault found and priced before anything comes apart, so there's no tow and no guesswork.
- 7 Years Of Automotive Expertise
- 450+ Reviews · Google & Checkatrade
- 12-Month Warranty
Not A National Or Middle Man
Real Local Professionals You Deal With Direct
No Inflated Middle Man Or Dealer Prices
Let’s talk keys
Get a quote.
Send your details and we’ll get back to you about your keys. For anything urgent, call us.
- Speak directly about your vehicle
- The right option for your key
- Understand the work before deciding
Symptoms
What Is The Ignition Doing?
Repaired at your car • Priced before anything comes apart • 12-month warranty • 450+ customer reviews
Tell us what the key is doing and we can usually narrow the fault down on the phone.
Key Won't Turn Or Is Stuck
Usually worn wafers in the barrel, or a worn key that no longer lifts them. Ford Transit barrels are a very common fault, and we carry them.
Key Turns But Nothing Happens
On many Volkswagen and Ford models it's either the barrel housing or the electrical switch behind it. We explain both on the phone and confirm which at the car before any work starts.
Cars & commercial vehicles
Help for the vehicle you drive.
Capability across approximately 90% of vehicles, from everyday cars to premium models and work vans. Tell us the make, model and year to confirm yours.
Common makes
- Volkswagen
- Audi
- Ford
- BMW
- Mercedes
- Vauxhall
- Nissan
- Toyota
- Kia
- Hyundai
- Peugeot
- Land Rover
Based in Southampton, covering Portsmouth, Waterlooville, New Alresford, Salisbury, the whole New Forest, Bournemouth and communities in between.
Pricing
Priced Before Anything Comes Apart
Every price is given before anything is taken apart.
When one symptom could be more than one fault, you hear each possible price on the phone first. At the car we look and feel how the key and ignition behave, then confirm the price before carrying out the work.
Mercedes Steering Locks
On Mercedes, a key that won't turn can be the key, the ignition or the electronic steering lock. We check all three for the standard £95 call-out, then price the repair.
The mobile workshop
Specialist equipment.
Right on your driveway.
Key cutting and programming, brought to your vehicle.
Matched to your car
Transponder and remote programming.
Careful entry
Specialist tools to protect your vehicle.
Availability
Stuck Somewhere In The Forest?
Most ignition faults are sorted the same day, at the car, with no recovery truck needed.
Ring any weekday until 10pm, or between 10 and 6 on Saturday and Sunday. Rural jobs take a little more planning, so ring early and send a postcode, road name or map pin.
For a farm track or campsite, include the entrance and access rules and explain if the steering is locked. The repair needs an accessible, safe parking place. We confirm the supported work, any parts needed and the appointment before travelling; the nearest village alone does not establish the vehicle's location or an arrival time.
Auto locksmith in New Forest
Locked out
in New Forest?
Mobile service across New Forest and the surrounding areas, straight to where your car is parked.
Areas we cover
LyndhurstBrockenhurstLymingtonNew MiltonRingwoodTotton
Mobile
Insured
Local
The repair
Repair Or Replace?
Where the barrel can be rebuilt, we rebuild it and your existing key keeps working. Where it's beyond repair, a new barrel is fitted and matched to your key.
Either way the start and steering lock are tested before we leave, and the work is covered for 12 months.
Our work
Real keys. Real driveways.
FAQ
New Forest Ignition Questions
Should I force the key?
No. Forcing a stuck key can snap it in the barrel and turn a simple repair into a bigger one. Try gently rocking the steering wheel while turning, and if that doesn't free it, ring us.
Is it the key or the ignition?
Try the spare. If the spare works, the original key is worn and a new key may be all you need. See car key replacement in the New Forest.
Do you do push-button start cars?
Yes. We replace many push-button electronic steering locks (ESL), which often cause a steering lock warning or a car that ignores the start button. Call and describe what's happening and we'll tell you what we can do.
Can I keep my existing key after a Forest ignition repair?
Where the barrel can be rebuilt or a replacement can be coded to your key, the existing key can be retained. Some replacement barrels come with their own keys and need additional cutting or programming. We explain the appropriate option before work rather than promise one outcome for every vehicle.
What should I report before an ignition visit?
Send the registration, exact parked location and whether the key turns, remains trapped or turns without a response. Tell us what the spare does and any dashboard warning. If the engine cranks without starting, say so: that is different from a key that physically cannot turn and may need a different assessment.
Across the Forest
Across The Forest, Coast To Coast
From Totton and Hythe to Lymington, New Milton and Ringwood, plus Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and the villages between.
Your car. Your location. A clear next step.
7 years of experience450+ reviews12-month warranty
From the van
Key work around New Forest
December 2023Skoda
Ignition lock replaced
Ignition lock replaced on a Skoda for a customer in New Forest, done on site from the SmartTech mobile workshop. We replaced the worn barrel and tested the start and steering lock, so the vehicle was back on the road the same visit.
New Forest
December 2023Range Rover Evoque
Replacement key cut and coded
Replacement key cut and coded on a Range Rover Evoque for a customer in New Forest, done on site from the SmartTech mobile workshop. We matched the key to the registration, cut the blade and coded the transponder so the car started first time.
New Forest
December 2023Rolls-Royce
Replacement key cut and coded
Replacement key cut and coded on a Rolls-Royce for a customer in New Forest, done on site from the SmartTech mobile workshop. The new key was cut to code and programmed to the vehicle, then the locks, remote and start were tested before we left.
New Forest
How it works
From your call to your vehicle in New Forest.
- 01
Call or text
Tell us your car and what's happened. We explain the work and quote on the call.
2 minutes
- 02
We drive to you
The van comes to your home, work or roadside with the tools to finish the job.
Arrival agreed on the call
- 03
Keys in hand
Key cut and programmed at your car, tested with you before we leave.
Same visit
Coverage
Across New Forest. Street by street.
Pick your area and check your postcode. If you're just outside, call — we often still come.
- Lyndhurst
- Brockenhurst
- Lymington
- New Milton
- Ringwood
- Totton
SO42SO43
What customers say
450+ five-star / 10-out-of-10 reviews across Google and Checkatrade
Transit Custom Ignition Repair.
"I cannot recommend Alec enough. My transit custom lock was not turning. I did not know Alec at this point and called another locksmith. To cut a long story short the other locksmith attempted a repair and then gave up, leaving me with a van I could no longer use. I called Alec who came out next day; he repaired the damage done by the other locksmith and custom made a replacement ignition barrel so one key still does the doors and the new ignition. I couldn't be more pleased. Price was very fair too!"
Sam chapman
"Did the work at a 3rd of the price of the dealership and I'm sure to a higher quality, the work was quick and professional. Could not recommend more!"
Can work on most cars! Pricing is very reasonable! Fast reliable service!
"Absolutely spot on! After ringing about 15 different companies who said they couldn't help and one company even saying the series of my car doesn't exist I found smarttech who I contacted who could finally help! The next day he came out and I now have access and a new key to my car! Fast and efficient polite service! Highly recommend!!"
Where we cover
New Forest and the surrounding area.
The outline shows the area we cover. Not sure if you're inside it? Call with your postcode and we'll confirm before you book.