1998 Mazda 626
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Q: Do I need to tow my 626 to the dealer if I have no keys?

No. Dealers say tow it in because that's how they operate. For a 1998 626 with a mechanical key, a mobile locksmith can decode and cut a replacement right at the car. No tow required.

Q: How long does a replacement key take for a 1998 Mazda 626?

On site, this is typically a 15 to 20 minute job. Decoding the lock, cutting the blade, and verifying it works in both the door and ignition doesn't take long when you're set up for it. At a dealer, the same job stretches out because of scheduling, service writer intake, and the general overhead of a dealership workflow that wasn't really designed for a simple key cut. Coming to you in Old Town Simi cuts all of that out.

Q: A locksmith or hardware store cut me a key and it doesn't work right. What went wrong?

This comes up more than it should on older Mazdas. The 626 key blade has specific depth and spacing requirements, and a worn key or a sloppy copy of a copy can produce a key that feels like it works but binds in the ignition or won't turn the door lock cleanly. If you've had a key duplicated from another duplicate, the cuts drift a little each time.

Q: My key turns but the car won't start. Is the key the problem?

On a 1998 626 with a mechanical key, if the key turns the ignition freely, the key itself is doing its job. A crank-no-start on a car this age is a fuel, spark, or electrical issue, not a key problem. Where I do see key-related no-starts is when the ignition cylinder is worn enough that the key isn't fully engaging the switch. It may turn but not make complete contact in the start position.

No Working Key Required | We Handle It

Available

Metal Key

Whether you lost your only key, it was stolen, or it just stopped working, we handle it. No existing key needed. Our technicians program new keys directly to your vehicle's computer.

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No Working Key? Easy No Dealer Tow Fresh Key On-Site

Fast Response15-25

min arrival

1,400+reviews

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Certified 1998 Mazda 626 key replacement info from EZ Car Keyz Simi Valley CA

All Keys Lost?

We make new keys from scratch - no existing key needed

No Tow Required

We come to wherever the car is sitting

Emergency Service

Available 7 days a week, 6 AM to 11:30 PM

805 Special

10% OFFCODE:EZ-805-2026

🔥 Lost key panic? Save with this 🔥

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1998 Mazda 626
Key Options

Dealer-grade key for a fair, honest price

Metal Key

No Spare? See the Difference

Emergency options side by side

EZ Car Keyz

Dealership

Average Cost

✓ $$

✕ $$$$

Location

✓ We come to you

✕ You drive there

Wait Time

✓ 20-45 min

✕ 2-5 days

Same-Day

✓ Yes

✕ Rarely

All Keys Lost

✓ No problem

✕ Tow required

OEM Quality

✓ Yes

EZ Car Keyz wins 5 out of 6

New key made on the spot, no original required

Book Service (805) 790-8162

1998 Mazda 626 Metal Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I got a call from a guy parked near the shops in Old Town Simi. He'd lost his only key for a 1998 Mazda 626 and had already spent two days trying to sort it out.

The dealer told him to tow it in. He called a big-box hardware store that said they might be able to cut one if he could find the code somewhere in the paperwork. He didn't have the paperwork.

I drove out to him. The car was sitting right there on the street, locks intact. I decoded the key directly from the door lock, cut a replacement blade on site, and walked him through it turning cleanly in the ignition and both doors.

He kept waiting for the part where I told him about programming or a wait time for parts to arrive. There wasn't one. A metal key for a car this age is a cut-it-and-go job when you have the right tools with you.

The dealer quote for towing plus a new key was going to cost him a good chunk more than what he paid me. He was driving again inside of thirty minutes from when I pulled up.

Save vs the Dealer on Your Mazda 626 Key

Get your key for hundreds less than the dealer. Same quality, same result, better price.

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LCO#6792

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Liability & vehicle damage coverage

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Also serving: Big Sky · Bridle Path · Corriganville · East Simi Valley

Mazda 626 Rapid Response, Done Right

Rapid response in the field

1998 Mazda 626

Metal Key | Rescue Key

Priority ETA

Rapid Arrival

Available Today

Simi Valley

Help Is Close

805 Area

Same-Day Keys (805) 790-8162

Emergency Saves, Real Reviews

Emergency saves, grateful customers

Y

Yariel B.

Jan 2026

★★★★★

“Excellent service! I lost my Mazda CX-30 2021 key in Oxnard and reached out to Easy Car Keys. They arrived in about 15 minutes and got everything done quickly and professionally. The price was very reasonable and the work was flawless. I definitely recommend them!”

Google Review

J

Joe R.

Jul 2018

★★★★★

“Niv and tim arrived quickly and made us a key for our mazda they did a great job, highly reccomended!!”

Google Review

M

Mark M.

Nov 2022

★★★★★

“Marco was very helpful. Not only did he unlock my friends car he went above and beyond also helped out with his battery! He provided excellent service for a great price. If you need help with your car lock look no further!”

Google Review

5-star review of 1998 Mazda 626 key service by EZ Car Keyz Simi Valley CA

★ 5.0 out of 5 - Based on Over 1,400 five-star Google reviews

Best Price (805) 790-8162

Mazda 626 Mobile Service FAQ

Real costs, no dealer surprises

I lost all my keys for my 1998 Mazda 626. Can you still make one without the original?▼

Yes. All-keys-lost on a 1998 626 is one of the simpler calls I get. The car uses a mechanical key with no electronic registration involved, so there's no immobilizer reset, no timed countdown, no diagnostic tool required. I decode the cut right off the door lock or ignition cylinder, cut a new key on site, and you're back in business. No tow, no dealer visit, no waiting on parts to ship.