All keys lost is the hardest automotive job and the one that most separates a specialist from a general locksmith. There is nothing to copy, so the key has to be created from the vehicle: either from code through authorised channels, or by reading the locks directly.
Typical range: $220–$900 CAD. Ranges are typical for the GTA and depend on the door, the hardware and the time of day. We confirm the price before dispatching.
How a key is created with no original
The first route is by code. Each vehicle has key-cutting data tied to its VIN, available to locksmiths through authorised channels that require credentials and a verified ownership check. With the code, we cut a mechanically correct key without ever touching the lock.
Where code is not available — some makes, some markets, some ages of vehicle — we decode the lock directly. The door lock or ignition cylinder is read to determine the wafer or pin depths, and the key is cut from that.
Either way the key then has to be programmed to the immobiliser, which on an all-keys-lost job means gaining authorised access to the vehicle's security system rather than simply adding a key alongside an existing one.
Why this takes longer
Adding a key when you have a working one is a short procedure. Originating one when you have none involves ownership verification, code retrieval or lock decoding, cutting, and then a programming procedure that on many makes carries a manufacturer-imposed security wait of ten to sixty minutes.
A realistic expectation for most vehicles is one to two hours on site. We would rather tell you that than quote thirty minutes and keep you waiting in a parking garage wondering what has gone wrong.
Proof of ownership is mandatory
We will not originate a key to a vehicle without verifying that it is yours. Vehicle ownership or registration documents in your name, plus photo identification matching, is the standard.
This is the single capability that would make a locksmith useful to a car thief, and the verification is the line that separates a legitimate trade from something else. Any locksmith willing to skip it is one you should not be calling. If the vehicle is registered to a company, a business card or letterhead plus the registration is usually sufficient — tell us the situation when you call and we will confirm what to have ready.
Locksmith versus dealership
The dealer route for all keys lost means towing the vehicle to them, leaving it, and collecting it later, with the tow and the dealer key price both on your bill.
We come to the vehicle wherever it is. For most makes the total is well below the dealer alternative even before the tow. For a small number of very recent vehicles with tightly restricted security access, the dealer is genuinely the only route, and we will tell you that on the phone rather than attending and charging you for the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
I lost every key to my car. Do I need a tow to the dealership?
Almost certainly not. We originate keys on site for the large majority of makes and years — from code through authorised channels, or by decoding the lock directly — then program to the immobiliser at the vehicle. No tow. For a small number of very recent vehicles the dealer is the only route, and we will tell you that on the phone rather than charging you for a visit that cannot succeed.
How long does all keys lost take?
Typically one to two hours on site. It is longer than a duplicate because the key has to be created rather than copied, and many makes impose a manufacturer security wait of ten to sixty minutes during the programming that nothing can shorten. We will give you a realistic estimate for your specific vehicle when you call.
What do I need to prove the car is mine?
Vehicle ownership or registration in your name plus matching photo identification. If the vehicle is registered to a business, the registration plus business identification usually covers it. Tell us your situation when you call and we will confirm exactly what to have ready, so the visit is not wasted.
Will the lost keys still work after you make a new one?
Not if we erase them, and we recommend erasing on any all-keys-lost job — the keys are unaccounted for, and the security value of a new key is limited while the old ones still start the vehicle. Erasing all registered keys and programming only the new ones closes that off. It is part of the job rather than an extra.
All Keys Lost across the GTA
We provide all keys lost service throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Car Key Replacement
Keys cut and programmed on site for virtually every make on the road — mechanical, transponder, remote head, flip and proximity.
Transponder Keys
Chip keys cut and programmed to the vehicle immobiliser — the step that turns a cut key into one that actually starts the engine.
Ignition Repair
Worn, seized and damaged ignition cylinders repaired or replaced — usually in the vehicle, without removing the steering column.
Smart Keys
Proximity smart keys for push-to-start vehicles — supplied, programmed and, where possible, repaired rather than replaced.