Last updated: February 2026
Most people think replacing a lost car key means a trip to the dealership, a 3-day wait, and a $400+ bill. The reality? Stuart Locksmiths comes to you anywhere in Stuart or Martin County, programs a replacement key on the spot, and gets you back on the road in 20 to 45 minutes. Costs run $75 to $400 depending on your vehicle and key type. No towing required. No waiting rooms.
We've handled automotive locksmith work across the Treasure Coast for years, and car key replacement is one of the most common calls we get. Whether you've got a basic transponder key or a proximity smart key for a newer BMW or Lexus, we carry the equipment to cut and program it right here in our mobile unit.
Stuart's mix of year-round residents and seasonal visitors means we see a huge variety of vehicles, from older domestic trucks driven by locals who fish off the St. Lucie Inlet to newer European luxury cars parked along Flagler Avenue. That variety keeps our inventory stocked wide. We're not guessing when we show up at your location.
What Type of Car Key Do You Have?
This matters more than most people realize. The key type determines the cost, the tools needed, and how long programming takes. Getting this wrong is how some locksmiths end up charging you for a service call and still can't finish the job.
Basic metal keys with no chip are still on older vehicles, mostly pre-1995. Easy cut, no programming needed, done in under 10 minutes. Transponder keys have a tiny chip inside the plastic head that must be programmed to match your car's immobilizer. Skip the programming step and the key turns but the engine won't start. This is the most common key type we replace in Stuart right now, covering most vehicles from 1995 through 2015.
Key fobs, remote head keys, and proximity (push-to-start) keys add layers of programming on top of the basic transponder function. A Key Fob Programming & Replacement job on a late-model Honda or Toyota usually takes 25 to 35 minutes. A push-to-start proximity key for a European vehicle can take up to 45 minutes because of the additional security handshake between the key and the vehicle's ECU.
| Key Type | Typical Cost Range | Programming Time | Common Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Metal Key (no chip) | $75 - $100 | 5-10 min | Pre-1995 domestic vehicles |
| Transponder Key | $100 - $175 | 15-25 min | Most 1995-2015 vehicles |
| Remote Head Key / Key Fob | $150 - $250 | 25-35 min | Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevy |
| Proximity / Smart Key (push-to-start) | $250 - $400 | 35-45 min | BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, newer domestics |
Dealer prices typically run 40 to 60 percent higher than these ranges. A Toyota push-to-start key that costs $280 at Stuart Locksmiths can run $450 or more at a Toyota dealership, plus you'd need to tow the car there if you've lost all copies. (Source: ALOA Security Professionals Association)
How Our Car Key Replacement Process Works
No mystery here. We do the same steps every time, and knowing them upfront means no surprises on your end.
- Call us at (772) 362-5731. Give us your year, make, model, and the last 8 digits of your VIN if you have it. That VIN lookup lets us confirm your key type and whether we have the blank in stock before we even leave the shop. Saves everyone time.
- We come to your location. You don't need to be at a garage or a shop. We've programmed keys in the Publix parking lot off Monterey Road, at the boat ramp near the St. Lucie River, on SE Monterey Road, and in residential driveways all over Martin County. Mobile service is the whole point.
- Proof of ownership verification. We check your ID and vehicle registration or title. This is non-negotiable. It protects you as much as us.
- Key cutting. We cut the physical key blade using our mobile cutting machine to match your vehicle's lock profile. If we're doing a push-to-start key, the blade still needs to match the door lock for emergency access.
- Programming and testing. We connect our diagnostic programmer to your OBD-II port and sync the new key to your immobilizer. Then we test: door locks, ignition start, remote functions. You watch us do it and we confirm everything works before we leave.
Car Key Replacement Pricing vs. the Dealership
Here's what the dealership won't tell you. When you go to a dealership for a replacement key, you're paying for their overhead, their service advisor's commission, and a parts markup that's built into their pricing structure. The actual key programming technology is identical to what mobile locksmiths use.
The other thing: if you've lost all copies of your key, most dealerships require the car to be physically present. That means a tow truck from wherever you're stranded in Stuart, whether it's near Kanner Highway, out by Indian Street Bridge, or anywhere along US-1. Add $75 to $150 for the tow on top of the dealer's key price. A mobile locksmith comes to you and cuts the cost of towing out entirely.
| Factor | Stuart Locksmiths | Dealership |
|---|---|---|
| Response time | 20-35 min to your location | 1-3 business days (parts order) |
| Towing required? | No | Often yes (if no keys) |
| Transponder key cost | $100 - $175 | $175 - $300+ |
| Smart key cost | $250 - $400 | $400 - $600+ |
| Programming quality | Same OEM-level software | OEM software |
| Same-day service | Yes, always | Rarely |
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics automotive service data, ALOA pricing benchmarks)
Why Stuart Residents Choose Stuart Locksmiths
We're licensed and insured in Florida. That matters because the state requires automotive locksmiths to verify ownership before cutting keys, and working with an unlicensed tech leaves you with zero recourse if something goes wrong. Our techs carry their license credentials and will show them on request.
We service every major make and model you'll find in Stuart. That includes the big domestic brands like Ford Key Replacement, Chevrolet Key Replacement, and Dodge & Ram Key Replacement, plus imports like Toyota Key Replacement, Honda Key Replacement, and Mercedes-Benz Key Replacement. We also cover European brands that most local locksmiths won't touch because they lack the right programming software.
Our average arrival time in Stuart proper is under 25 minutes. If you're calling from Palm City or Jensen Beach, add 5 to 10 minutes. We also cover Port St. Lucie and Hobe Sound regularly.
One thing we won't do: guess. If we pull your VIN and find out your vehicle has a security system that requires dealer-level access (certain BMW models with EWS4 or later systems, some Volvo configurations), we'll tell you before we charge you for a service call. That honesty has earned us the reviews you'll find on our reviews page.
Lost your house keys along with your car keys? We handle Residential Lockout service and Lock Rekey Service too. One call can solve multiple problems if your whole key ring went missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you replace a car key if I've lost all copies?
Yes. This is called an "all keys lost" situation and it's actually more common than you'd think. The process takes a bit longer because we have to generate the key data from scratch rather than cloning an existing key. Expect 35 to 50 minutes and bring your vehicle registration or title for ownership verification.
How much does car key replacement cost in Stuart, FL?
Basic transponder keys run $100 to $175. Remote head keys and key fobs are $150 to $250. Proximity smart keys for push-to-start vehicles run $250 to $400. Basic metal keys with no chip are $75 to $100. Final cost depends on your specific year, make, and model.
Do I need to tow my car to get a replacement key made?
No. We come to you anywhere in Stuart and Martin County. We program the key at your location using our mobile equipment. Towing is only necessary in rare situations involving specific high-security European vehicles with immobilizer systems that require factory-level dealer access.
How long does car key replacement take?
Most jobs take 20 to 45 minutes once we're on site. Basic transponder keys are closer to 20 minutes. Smart keys and proximity keys for European vehicles take up to 45 minutes. Our drive time to most Stuart locations is under 25 minutes.
Can you program a key fob I bought online?
Sometimes, but we'd rather be straight with you: aftermarket key fobs bought from Amazon or eBay have a high failure rate in programming because the chip quality varies. We've had to turn people away after they've already spent $30 on a fob that won't hold a program. Our blanks are guaranteed to work.
What information do you need when I call?
Year, make, and model of your vehicle, plus the last 8 digits of your VIN if you can get it off your insurance card or registration. That VIN lookup confirms your exact key type and lets us check stock before we arrive. It prevents wasted trips.
Will the new key work with my existing locks and fobs?
Yes. We program the new key to your vehicle's existing immobilizer and remote system. If you still have other working keys, those continue to work alongside the new one. We don't delete old keys during programming unless you specifically ask us to (which can be useful if a key was stolen).
Can you replace keys for luxury and European vehicles in Stuart?
We handle BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volkswagen, and most other European brands. Some older BMW EWS4 systems and certain Volvo configurations require factory software that only a dealer can access. We'll tell you upfront if your vehicle falls into that category. Check our BMW Key Replacement and Mercedes-Benz Key Replacement pages for specifics.