For most cars, a licensed mobile automotive locksmith can make and program the same types of keys a dealer does, right at the car. On average our customers save 40 to 60 percent compared to dealer pricing. The dealer is the better call for warranty-covered repairs, a model whose keys have not reached locksmiths yet, and, with us, new Mercedes-Benz keys.
- For most cars, a licensed mobile locksmith makes and programs the same key types as the dealer, at the car, usually in one visit.
- Our flat-rate quote covers the blank, cutting, programming and trip, so compare it with the dealer's out-the-door total, not the part price alone.
- A mobile locksmith comes to the car, so losing every key does not mean paying for a tow.
- The dealer is the better call for very new or rare models whose keys are not available outside the dealer yet, and for repairs covered under warranty.
- We refer new Mercedes-Benz keys and all-keys-lost to the dealer, and still handle Mercedes lockouts and broken key extraction.
Jeep Wrangler key replacement in Santa Barbara, CA. Filmed on a real job by EZ Car Keyz.
Dealer or locksmith: which should you call?
For most key jobs, call a licensed mobile locksmith first: it is usually cheaper, faster, and the car does not have to move. Call the dealer for warranty-covered repairs, a model so new or rare that its keys have not reached locksmiths yet, and, if you drive one, a new Mercedes-Benz key.
| Your situation | Better first call | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spare key for a common car | Locksmith | Same key types, usually a lower price, made where the car is parked |
| All keys lost, car at work or in a lot | Locksmith | No tow; the key is cut and programmed at the car |
| Key fob stopped working | Locksmith | Battery, repair or a new fob programmed on site |
| Model just released, or a rare model | Dealer, after a quick call to us | Keys and programming support can reach independents later |
| Key or immobilizer fault under warranty | Dealer | A covered repair may cost you nothing there |
| Mercedes-Benz new key or all keys lost | Dealer | Our policy is to refer these to the dealer |
| Mercedes-Benz lockout or broken key | Locksmith | We handle these for Mercedes owners |
| Car already at the dealer for service | Either | Adding a key there can be convenient; compare the total first |
How does the price compare?
On average our customers save 40 to 60 percent compared to dealer pricing. Our flat-rate quote covers the blank, the cutting, the programming and the trip.
Dealer key pricing is often split into the part and the labor, with cutting and programming as separate lines, so ask for the out-the-door total. If the car cannot be driven, add the tow, because the dealer generally needs the car in its service department.
| Option | Ventura County | San Diego County | Time on-site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Metal Key Replacement | $50-$100 | $60-$110 | 15-20 minutes |
| Transponder Key Replacement | $150-$250 | $150-$275 | 30-45 minutes |
| Flip Key / Switchblade Key Replacement | $150-$275 | $160-$300 | Under 45 minutes |
| Laser-Cut / Sidewinder Key Replacement | $175-$300 | $200-$325 | About 30 minutes |
| Smart Key / Proximity Fob Replacement | $250-$450 | $275-$475 | Under 1 hour |
Flat-rate ranges from our current price list. The exact quote depends on year, make and model, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Full details: Car Key Replacement in Ventura County or in San Diego County.
There is no service-call fee, no diagnostic fee, no trip fee, and no after-hours or holiday upcharge. The price we quote on the phone is the price you pay. We are not going to print a dealer's price here, because it varies by dealer and by model. Get your dealer's total, then compare it with our car key replacement quote.
Which is faster, and do you need a tow?
A mobile locksmith is usually faster, mostly because the car does not go anywhere. Same-day service is our default, typical arrival is under 30 minutes in our primary service areas, and most jobs finish in a single visit.
At a dealer, the car generally has to be at the service department. If every key is lost, that means a tow before anything else happens. Some keys may need to be ordered for the car rather than pulled from stock, and service departments usually work by appointment within their own hours.
We work 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, 7 days a week, across Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Diego County and Malibu, from Santa Barbara to Chula Vista. Time on site depends on the key, and the pricing table above lists it for each type.
Is a locksmith key as good as a dealer key?
It can be the very same key. The programming usually goes through the same port on the car, and the key itself can be a quality aftermarket part or an OEM one, including a fob you buy at the dealer's parts counter and have us program.
OEM means the part comes from the vehicle manufacturer, the same part a dealer installs. Aftermarket keys are made by other companies: good ones work like the original, cheap ones vary. If you bring your own fob, we check that its FCC ID and frequency match the vehicle before we start, and tell you before any charge if it will not work.
Security data is not a dealer-only privilege either. As a NASTF Vehicle Security Professional, we have registry access to the key codes and immobilizer PINs that manufacturers release to vetted professionals. We program with the Autel IM508 and AutoProPad and cut on Xhorse Condor and Dolphin machines.
| Option | Ventura County | San Diego County | Time on-site |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Fob Programming | $125-$200 | $150-$225 | 15-30 min |
| Aftermarket Fob Programming | $100-$175 | $125-$200 | 15-30 min |
| Dealer-Purchased Fob Activation | $125-$175 | $150-$200 | 15-25 min |
Flat-rate ranges from our current price list. The exact quote depends on year, make and model, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Full details: Key Fob Programming in Ventura County or in San Diego County.
What do dealers do better?
The dealer is the better call in four situations: a model so new or rare that its keys have not reached locksmiths, a covered warranty or recall repair, a new Mercedes-Benz key, and a car already in the service bay.
Very new or rare models
When a model is brand new, OEM keys and programming support often reach the dealer first, and aftermarket blanks and independent tools catch up later. Rare and low-volume models can be the same. If you are not sure where your car stands, ask us first, and we will tell you if it belongs at the dealer.
Warranty and recall work
If the car is under warranty and the problem is a failed key, immobilizer or ignition part, the repair may be covered at the dealer, and the same goes for an open recall. A lost key is usually not covered. Check your warranty before you pay anyone, including us.
Mercedes-Benz
We refer new Mercedes-Benz keys and all-keys-lost to the dealer. That is our policy, and we hold to it. We still handle Mercedes lockouts and broken key extraction. See our Mercedes-Benz pages for Ventura County and San Diego, or the Mercedes-Benz key guide.
A car already in the service bay
If the car is at the dealer for other work anyway, adding a key there can be convenient. Ask for the total and compare before you say yes.
Is a locksmith as accountable as a dealer?
A good one is, and you can check before anyone shows up. A dealer has a franchise name behind it; a locksmith should have a state license, insurance and a public track record you can verify.
Here is ours. California BSIS license LCO#6792, which means background checked, fingerprinted and bonded. NASTF Vehicle Security Professional. Google Guaranteed, insured through Hiscox for general liability and vehicle damage, a CarMax authorized contractor, and BBB A+ rated in Ventura County.
Marco Levy started in automotive locksmithing in 2009 and founded EZ Car Keyz in 2017. We have made over 5,000 keys and have over 1,400 five-star Google reviews in Ventura County and over 200 in San Diego. At a minimum, any locksmith you hire should be able to show you a license number and proof of insurance.
Questions to ask before you pay anyone
Whoever you call, a few questions protect you from surprises. A legitimate dealer or locksmith answers all of them up front.
- What is the total, including the key, cutting, programming and any trip or tow?
- Is the key OEM or aftermarket?
- Will my existing keys still work afterward, and should I have them with me?
- How long will it take, and does the car need to be dropped off?
- For a locksmith: what is your BSIS license number? A California locksmith business must hold one, and you can look it up at bsis.ca.gov. Ours is LCO#6792.
- What proof of ownership do you need? Expect photo ID with the registration or title either way.
Be wary of a phone quote that sounds too low and grows on arrival, or a locksmith who will not show a license. Our locksmith scam guide covers the rest of the warning signs.
