How Long Does It Take to Replace a Car Key?

November 6, 2025

Given the wide variety of car keys that are now available, replacing a car key is no longer a simple task. So how long does it take to replace a car key? There are many factors to consider, from the type of key needed to the model and make of your vehicle.

Your location in relation to a service provider that is qualified and equipped in replacing car keys will play an important role. Key replacement lead times can vary too, depending on whether you are in the city centre or rural town. Drivers can find themselves wondering how long does it take to replace a car key?. In some instances, we can replace keys in an hour or less. In contrast, an auto locksmith may need a few days for keys that require special parts or advanced programming.

Types of Car Keys

Over recent years, car keys have become far more complex. The traditional car key, made of metal and mechanically cut, has a specific pattern that matches the locks on your car. These are very old style keys usually found on cars that pre-date 1996. At that time, immobiliser technology was developed to add an electronic element to car security. This was a major progression for vehicle security. No longer could a plain metal key be copied and start a car. A transponder inside the key head required ‘pairing’ to the car for it to start the engine. Transponder-based car keys use a small chip as part of the key device. This chip is used to link to the immobiliser unit in your car or ute.

Since then, remote central locking slowly became in vogue. Car keys with remote control buttons on the head appeared and flip-style keys came on the scene. These combine a key fob and a mechanical key blade that flips out at the press of a button. These “Remote keys” have both a transponder for security and a green electronics board inside them to control the door locks.

Keyless entry systems, also known as proximity keys, are high-tech devices that use radio signals to communicate with your vehicle. With the key fob in your pocket or handbag, you are able to lock or unlock your vehicle, and start it manually without a physical key. These new-style key fobs still utilise transponder and remote key technology, however both are enhanced with extended signalling to enable them to work at a distance withough bussings being pressed.

How Types of Keys Affect Replacement Times

The type of key that you need plays a direct role in how long you can expect the replacement process to be. If you have an older style transponder key, an auto locksmith might be able to cut a new one in less than an hour. These keys are the cheapest and quickest to replace because they don’t have electronic elements.

More sophisticated modern keys are far more complex, as they have to be programmed and then synced up with the computer in your vehicle. Examples of these include remote fobs and smart keys. It might take a mobile locksmith 1 to 3 hours to replace one of these keys. If the key in question has to be ordered based on your VIN, expect the process to take considerably longer.

Factoring in Vehicle Make and Model

The specific manufacturer and model of your car has a direct impact on how long the key replacement process could take. If you have a common brand of car, the parts are more likely to be available in Australia.

High-end luxury or speciality imported vehicles may present more of a challenge. Some of these cars feature key systems need specialised software and programming tools to create a replacement key. Learn more about these features at Northside Car Keys

The time it takes to replace your car key in Australia can vary greatly, depending on the factors outlined above. We at Northside Car Keys pride ourselves on covering most makes and models. To avoid problems on the road, it pays to know ahead of time exactly who you would have to call for a replacement key, and how long the service might take. Contact us via our Quote Form or by phone 1300 727 917 for more info on how we can help replace your car key.