If you’ve been locked out of your car, you may be wondering: how much does a locksmith charge to unlock your car? It depends on the circumstances surrounding your lockout. If you have a spare key, you can call a family member to retrieve it and pay the locksmith half the price. Most car companies give you a spare key with your purchase. Although the spare key will open your car’s doors, it will not start it. Keeping it somewhere safe is a good idea as well.
The cost of a locksmith to unlock a car depends on the type of car and the type of lock you’re dealing with. While common foreign cars cost less, more expensive cars like German models cost more to unlock. The average cost of a locksmith to unlock a car door is around $75 to $150, and the cost of a rekey can be anywhere from $50 to $300.
Prices vary by the type of service performed and the location. In most cases, locksmiths charge on a “per-service” basis. In other words, you pay the same fee for each service, regardless of the time or distance. Some local locksmiths may even charge extra for emergency locksmith services after regular business hours. For this reason, the cost of experienced locksmith may be more or less than the cost of a new car. A new car may not require a locksmith, and the cost of an auto insurance roadside assistance call can cover the cost of an emergency locksmith call.
If you’re in a bad situation, it may be best to call a locksmith before trying to unlock your car yourself. A locksmith’s quality services can help you get your car back on the road quickly, and the cost can range from $50 to $100 or more. Generally, a good locksmith will charge between $50 and $150 for unlocking a car, and you should not pay for a lock change that requires a lock replacement.
A locksmith’s labor will cost you between $50 and $125 per hour, and you should factor in the time it takes to make a new key. Duplicating a key is fairly simple, but can cost anywhere from $10 to $100. It’s also easier to get a duplicate key for a car than to replace a lost key. Moreover, car locksmiths usually charge up to $400 for duplicate transponder keys, which are programmed to the vehicle’s security system.
It’s possible to get a replacement key made at a dealership, but this will likely cost you a lot more than hiring a locksmith. In addition to unlocking your car, a reliable locksmith will also rekey or replace your lock. This is especially useful if the unique lock you’re trying to open is a high-tech lock and requires a key. It’s best to have the car lock repaired by a locksmith who installed your locks and keys.