AUTEL & Xhorse Diagnostic Equipment

Car Key Programming On-Site Across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Specialist OBD car key programming for all makes at your location — no dealer wait, no towing. From transponder key coding to smart key ECU pairing, Dean and the DB Car Keys team have the equipment and experience to do it right, at your vehicle, 24 hours a day.

★★★★★ 66 Google Reviews ✓ AUTEL & Xhorse Tools ✓ All Key Types ✓ Same-Day Available ✓ 24/7 Service

Call: 07830249408 WhatsApp

AUTEL & Xhorse

Dealer-Level Equipment

Same-Day Service

30–60 Min On-Site

3 Counties

Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Fraction of Dealer Price

Free Upfront Quote

24/7 Every Day

Including Bank Holidays

What is Car Key Programming & Why Does Your Car Need It?

Modern vehicles don't just need a key blade cut to the right profile — they need an encrypted transponder chip programmed to match your vehicle's ECU. Without this, a perfectly cut blade will turn the ignition but the engine won't start. The immobiliser system blocks fuel delivery until it receives the correct coded signal from an authorised key. This is why a key cut at a market stall or an online spare that "fits the lock" won't start the car.

DB Car Keys carries AUTEL and Xhorse OBD diagnostic programming tools — the same systems main dealers use — and performs all key programming on-site at your vehicle. No towing, no booking in, no week-long wait. We programme transponder keys, smart keys, proximity fobs, remote flip keys and key cards for the vast majority of vehicles across Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

📍 Real Callout — Marsh Barton, Exeter

"One of our most regular programming callouts is a fleet van driver at Exeter's Marsh Barton Trading Estate. The driver has a Ford Transit or VW Transporter, they've ordered a cheap spare key online, the blade fits — but the engine won't start. The replacement key was never programmed to the van's ECU. We connect our AUTEL, code the key in around 20 minutes, and the driver is back on deliveries."

📍 Real Callout — Rural Somerset

"A common situation across rural Somerset and Dorset: a farmer or agricultural worker has a vehicle key replaced by a non-specialist. The key turns the ignition, engine cranks, but won't fire. The immobiliser hasn't been bypassed — it's doing exactly its job. We attend farms on the Somerset Levels, the Blackdown Hills, and rural Dorset regularly for exactly this. Miles from the nearest dealer, we're there within the hour."

⏱ When do people usually need car key programming?

After losing all keys

After ECU replacement

Spare key bought online won't start car

After flat battery or power loss

Key stopped being recognised

Buying car with only one key

After immobiliser fault

Adding second driver access

Key Programming Services We Provide

Every type of automotive key programming — on-site, at your vehicle

Transponder Key Programming

The most common job we perform. The transponder chip inside your key head is coded to your vehicle's ECU via OBD. Without this pairing, the engine won't start. We program all major chip types — Texas Crypto, ID46, ID48, ID63 and more.

Common on: Ford, Vauxhall, VW, Peugeot, Citroën, Toyota — virtually all post-2000 vehicles

Smart Key & Proximity Fob Programming

Push-button start vehicles use smart keys that communicate via radio frequency with the car's BCM. Programming requires advanced access protocols beyond standard OBD — our AUTEL covers the vast majority of smart key systems on UK roads.

Common on: BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover, VW (later models), Jaguar, Volvo

Remote Flip Key Programming

Flip keys combine a mechanical blade with a remote central locking fob. Both elements need to be matched — blade cut to the correct profile and remote programmed to sync with your car's receiver module. Very common on European vehicles.

Common on: VW Golf/Polo, Audi A3/A4, Seat, Skoda, Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat

Lost Key — VIN-Based Programming

Lost all your keys? We create a completely new key from scratch using your vehicle's VIN and our AUTEL equipment — no original key required. We also delete every previously registered key from your ECU, so lost keys can never start your car again.

Available for: All makes where we have OBD access — call 07830249408 to confirm your vehicle

ECU Re-Pairing After Replacement

Had your ECU replaced by a garage? Existing keys often lose their pairing with the new unit. We re-synchronise all your existing keys to the replacement ECU — on-site, without the 1–2 week dealer delay. Covers most makes.

Common after: ECU replacement, battery removal, control module swap, software update

Van & Commercial Vehicle Key Programming

Vans are our most common programming callout — particularly Ford Transit, VW Transporter and Vauxhall Vivaro around Exeter's and Plymouth's industrial zones. Fast response, same-day programming, minimal disruption to working days.

Covers: Ford Transit/Custom, VW Transporter T5/T6, Vauxhall Vivaro/Movano, Mercedes Sprinter/Vito, Peugeot Boxer

📞 Call Now: 07830249408

Free upfront quote · Same-day in most cases · All three counties

DB Car Keys in Action

Real callouts — real equipment — real results across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Car key replacement and programming service by DB Car Keys — AUTEL diagnostic equipment in use on-site across Devon

On-Site Key ProgrammingAUTEL diagnostic tool connected to vehicle ECU — programming completed at customer location

DB Car Keys mobile auto locksmith service — professional key programming across Devon, Dorset and Somerset

Mobile ServiceFully equipped mobile unit — we come to your home, workplace or roadside location

Car keys programmed by DB Car Keys — all key types including transponder, smart keys and remote fobs

All Key Types CoveredTransponder keys, smart keys, remote fobs, flip keys and key cards — all makes

DB Car Keys specialist automotive locksmith service — Devon, Dorset and Somerset

Specialist Automotive Locksmith15+ years experience · AUTEL & Xhorse diagnostic equipment · 66 five-star reviews

Common Vehicles We Program Keys For

The most frequently seen makes across our three-county coverage area

🚗 Passenger Cars

Ford Fiesta / Focus Vauxhall Astra / Corsa VW Golf / Polo Audi A3 / A4 BMW 1 / 3 Series Toyota Yaris / Corolla Honda Jazz / HR-V Peugeot 208 / 308 Citroën C3 / C4 Hyundai i20 / Tucson Kia Picanto / Sportage Mercedes C / E Class

Ford is by far the most common passenger car programming callout across Devon and Somerset — particularly Fiesta and Focus in Exeter, Plymouth and Taunton.

🚉 Vans & Commercial Vehicles

Ford Transit / Custom VW Transporter T5/T6 Vauxhall Vivaro / Movano Mercedes Sprinter / Vito Peugeot Boxer / Expert Citroën Dispatch / Relay Fiat Ducato / Scudo Renault Trafic / Master Nissan NV200 / Primastar Land Rover Defender

Ford Transit key programming is our most frequent commercial callout — especially around Exeter's Marsh Barton and Sowton industrial estates, and Plymouth's business zones.

Recent Car Key Programming Callouts

A snapshot of recent key programming jobs completed across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Ford Transit Custom — spare key programmed to ECU

📍 Marsh Barton Trading Estate, Exeter 45 mins

BMW 3 Series — smart key re-sync after battery replacement

📍 Taunton, Somerset 30 mins

Renault Megane — key card programmed, original lost

📍 Yeovil, Somerset 25 mins

VW Transporter T6 — second key added, customer kept original

📍 Derriford, Plymouth 40 mins

Vauxhall Vivaro — all keys lost, new key created from VIN

📍 Bridport Industrial Estate, Dorset 55 mins

Ford Focus — spare key online purchase programmed to car

📍 Heavitree, Exeter 20 mins

Callouts updated regularly · Call 07830249408 for availability and ETA at your location

Dean — DB Car Keys

Mobile Auto Locksmith · Based in Honiton, Devon

✓ 15+ Years Experience ✓ AUTEL Certified ✓ Xhorse Trained ✓ Fully Insured ✓ DBS Checked ✓ Thousands of Keys Programmed

“Dean arrives short notice. In the car, battery charged and home after a long flight. NOBODY does it better than the quiet confidence of Dean. Put the number on your phone.”— Peter Buxton, Google Review ★★★★★

“I called 7 people tonight and Dean was the only one who actually seemed bothered to help me. Friendly, helpful and sorted out my issue within minutes.”— Ryan Higgins, Google Review ★★★★★

Why Not Just Go to a Main Dealer?

DB Car Keys vs Exeter, Taunton or Weymouth dealerships for key programming

🏢 MAIN DEALERSHIP

✗5–14 day wait for key parts to arrive
✗Premium pricing for programming labour
✗Vehicle towed or driven to them first
✗Business hours only — no evening or weekend
✗Brand-specific — only covers their own make

RECOMMENDED

🔑 DB CAR KEYS

✓Same-day key programming in most cases
✓Significantly cheaper — free upfront quote
✓We come to your home, work or any location
✓Available day or night, 365 days a year
✓All makes — one number for every vehicle

Get a Free Quote Today

Call 07830249408 for an instant quote on your make and model

What Our Customers Say

Verified reviews from drivers across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Makes We Program Keys For

Blank key stock and OBD programming software for the vast majority of UK vehicles

FordAll models VauxhallAll models PeugeotAll models CitroënAll models FiatAll models HyundaiAll models KiaAll models HondaAll models

BMWIncl. i-series

AudiAll models

VolkswagenAll models

MercedesAll models

ToyotaIncl. hybrid

NissanAll models

Land RoverDefender+

RenaultIncl. cards

SeatAll models

SkodaAll models

MazdaAll models

VolvoAll models

Don't see your make? Call 07830249408 — we cover most manufacturers. We can confirm from your registration number alone.

Key Programming Areas We Cover

Mobile car key programming at your location — all three South West counties

Devon

All EX, PL, TQ postcodes — including industrial zones and rural areas

Exeter Plymouth Torquay Exmouth Newton Abbot Barnstaple Honiton Sidmouth All Devon →

Dorset

All DT postcodes — from Jurassic Coast to rural Dorset

Bridport Dorchester Weymouth Lyme Regis Charmouth West Bay Portland All Dorset →

Somerset

All TA & BA postcodes — including the Levels, A303 corridor and Glastonbury area

Taunton Yeovil Bridgwater Chard Ilminster Wells Sherborne All Somerset →

Call 07830249408 to confirm coverage · EX · PL · TQ · DT · TA · BA postcodes all covered

Car Key Programming — FAQs

Common questions about our programming service across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Yes — this is one of our most common jobs. Using your vehicle's VIN and our AUTEL diagnostic equipment, we create a completely new key from scratch. We then delete all previously registered keys from the ECU, so any lost keys can never start your car again. Available 24 hours across Devon, Dorset and Somerset. Call 07830249408.

This is extremely common. Online spare keys are sold as blanks — the blade can be cut to your lock profile, but the transponder chip inside has never been programmed to your vehicle's ECU. Without programming, the immobiliser blocks the engine from starting even if the blade turns the ignition. We program these on-site in around 20 minutes.

If you want the lost key to be disabled, yes — we can delete it from the vehicle ECU during programming so it will never work again. If you are just adding a spare while keeping all existing keys, we program the new key without affecting the others. We confirm your preference before starting.

Some vehicles — particularly Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot models — can lose the key-ECU pairing after a complete power loss. The immobiliser forgets one or more registered keys. This is an immobiliser re-synchronisation job, not a hardware fault. We diagnose and re-pair on-site in most cases. See our Immobiliser Diagnostics page for more.

Yes, in most cases. Modern EV and hybrid vehicles — Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, VW ID series, Kia EV6 and others — use standard transponder or smart key systems that our AUTEL equipment supports. Call 07830249408 with your make and model to confirm.

No. Roadside assistance covers mechanical breakdowns, flat batteries and jump starts — not key programming. If your car won't start because the key isn't recognised by the ECU, you need a specialist automotive locksmith with OBD programming equipment. That's exactly what DB Car Keys provides. Call 07830249408 any time.

Cost depends on your vehicle make, model, year and the type of key. A basic transponder key costs less than a smart key or proximity fob. We always provide a free upfront quote before starting — no obligation. We are significantly cheaper than a main dealer for equivalent work. Call 07830249408 with your registration for an instant quote.