What is Car Key Cutting?
You may need a car key cutting, if you have lost, damaged or just need a spare key for your vehicle. ‘cutting’ a car key is very different from cutting a house key and is a very involved process.
Step One- Decoding the Car Door Lock
An auto locksmith will need to find the code for your car key, as the grooves in the barrel of the car lock form a unique code for that specific key. If the code does not match the barrel then the car key will not turn, and prevent you from opening your car.
For the key code to match the grooves in the barrel, it must be cut specifically. The auto locksmith will insert a special tool into your car door to read the grooved and plate code. Once that has been read, the auto locksmith will be able to cut your key accurately.
Step Two- Car Key Cutting
Once the auto locksmith knows the exact code, he will input it into the key cutting machine. This machine will cut the keys for cars, vans, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Once side is cut first, then the key is flipped, and the other side is cut. Once the cutting process has finished the auto locksmith will remove any debris and the key should be ready to open the doors and being put in the ignition.
Step Three- Programming the Key
The final step for the auto locksmith, will be for them to programme the car key transponder into your vehicles immobiliser system. They will also program it in to the remote control central locking system, this allows you to open the car remotely with the button on the key.
Other Considerations
If your vehicle was manufactured in 1995 or after then it will have an immobiliser system and transponder key and an auto locksmith should be able to cut you a new key, no issue. Any car that was manufactured before 1995 will not have a transponder key, an auto locksmith will still need to cut you a new key, but the process is less complicated, as you wont need for it to be programmed.
We have local locksmiths available to help you if need.
Leigh Edgley
From Yorkshire hills to Dorset shores, Leigh has spent 14 years mastering the art of getting people back on the road. As Keytek's trusted Auto Locksmith covering Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and beyond, he's turned vehicle emergencies into his specialty over the past 8 years.
Beyond the tools and techniques, Leigh shares his deep automotive expertise through Keytek's website content, helping drivers understand the complexities behind modern car key technology. His real-world experience with transponder programming, remote diagnostics, and security systems translates into practical guidance that helps resolve automotive locksmith issues for everyday drivers.
What sets Leigh apart isn't just his technical expertise—it's his understanding that being locked out of your car isn't just inconvenient, it's genuinely stressful. His calm approach transforms panic into relief, whether you're stranded in a car park or stuck outside your own driveway.
When he's not rescuing drivers, Leigh embraces his own freedom on his Harley Davidson, or pushing limits through rock climbing, kite surfing, and spearfishing. This adventurous spirit fuels the problem-solving mindset that makes him Dorset's go-to auto locksmith.
