Denver guide
Dealer or locksmith for a car key?
On most cars the locksmith wins on price and saves you a trip: Kelley Blue Book pegs the savings at 10% to 25% compared with a dealer. The exceptions are certain newer and luxury models that only the dealer can key.
Single company per request, named on the call, priced up front. Search that name with the Secretary of State · Who pays us
How the two compare
| Mobile locksmith | Dealership | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Commonly 10% to 25% under the dealer (KBB) | Factory part at list, plus programming time |
| Where | Your driveway, your office lot, the trailhead | Their service bay; with zero keys, you're paying a tow first |
| Which cars | Most makes and years | Everything they sell, including the locked-down models |
The tow matters in metro Denver. If every key is gone and the car is in Arvada while the nearest dealer for that brand is out on the far side of the metro, the tow can add a real chunk to the dealer route.
| What you need done | Survey says | Who published it |
|---|---|---|
| New car key | $70 to $250 | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
| Chip (transponder) key | $125 to $250 Includes the part and programming | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
| Flip key | $150 to $300 | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
| Push-button start key | $200 to $400 | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
Cars that still need the dealer
Certain late-model vehicles, some luxury makes, and keys that have to be authorized through the manufacturer's online system can only be made at a dealership. Tell the locksmith the year, make and model when you call; they'll know whether your car is one of them.
What Denver callers ask about this
Will a locksmith key void my warranty?
A key that's programmed correctly doesn't affect the car's warranty. If you want certainty, ask your dealer's service desk before the work.