Your car keys were stolen. What now?
Lost keys are an inconvenience. Stolen keys are a different problem, because somebody knows where the car is.
Treat stolen keys as urgent. Report it to the police and get a report number, move the car if you safely can, then have a new key made and the stolen one deleted from the car’s computer so it will no longer start the engine. We do this at the car for Japanese, Korean and most American-built makes.
- First
- Report it and get a police report number
- Then
- Delete the stolen key from the car
- Note
- A deleted key may still open the doors
Why stolen is not the same as lost
Why is a stolen key worse than a lost one?
A key taken from a bag, a gym locker or a house break-in usually comes with something that identifies the car — a registration paper, an address, a remote you can press in a car park until lights flash. That is what makes it urgent in a way a key dropped at the beach is not.
What should I tell the police?
Ring the police and get a report number. Insurers ask for it, and if the car is taken it matters. If the keys were taken in a house break-in, also assume your house keys are compromised, because they are usually on the same ring.
Should I move the car?
If you still have a spare key and the car is parked somewhere the thief knows about, move it. A car in a garage or somewhere else entirely is a much harder target than one on the verge outside the address printed on the papers in the glovebox.
How do I stop the stolen key starting the car?
This is the part people do not realise is possible. When we programme a replacement key we can remove the stolen one from the car’s computer, so it will no longer start the engine. One honest caveat: a deleted key may still open the doors, because the door barrels are mechanical and separate from the immobiliser. If that matters to you, say so and we will talk through the options.
Were your house keys on the same ring?
If the house keys went with the car keys, rekeying the house is the other half of the job. A rekey changes the pins inside the locks you already have, so every stolen key stops working without replacing a single lock. A typical Perth house runs six to eight locks and takes about an hour. We can do the car and the house in the same visit.
Where to go next
If you need it done now, see lost car keys in Perth or car key replacement. The cost side is in what a car locksmith costs, and making a car key without the original explains how a new key is made. The car locksmith page lists every make we do.
What customers say
Tap any review to read it on Google.
“I highly recommend Magnus from Amco Locksmiths. He was very quick to respond to my enquiry and was able to see me the next day. He showed up on time, had great communication and was very professional and friendly throughout the process.”
Read on Google →“I recently moved to a new house and wanted to change the locks for security. Magnus arrived on time and worked efficiently to do just that, also cutting more windows keys and rekeying the garage remote. He even oiled the squeaky garage door at no cost! I would use Amco again in a heartbeat.”
Read on Google →“Great communication advising when he would arrive. Quick, friendly service and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.”
Read on Google →“Very friendly and replies fast! Definitely recommend!!”
Read on Google →“I needed an emergency locksmith today (Friday) and Magnus from Amco came to the rescue. Absolutely pleasant man very friendly and curteous. Explained everything including cost upfront. Completed the job professionally. Will definitely recommend Amco Locksmiths and Magnus anytime.”
Read on Google →Straight answers
Can you stop a stolen key from starting my car?
Yes. When we programme your new key we can delete the stolen one from the car’s computer so it will not start the engine.
Will the stolen key still unlock the doors?
It may. Door barrels are mechanical and separate from the immobiliser, so deleting a key from the computer does not always stop it opening a door. Tell us if that matters and we will talk through the options.
My house keys were on the same ring. What should I do?
Rekey the house. We change the pins inside your existing locks so every stolen key stops working, without replacing the locks. A typical Perth house takes about an hour.
Should I report stolen keys to the police?
Yes, and get the report number. Insurers ask for it, and it matters if the car is later taken.
Can you come out the same day?
We run a 24 hour emergency service and we will tell you honestly when we can get to you. We never promise an arrival time we cannot keep.
Can you do the car and the house in one visit?
Yes, and it is usually the sensible way to do it.