Locked your keys in the car — what now?
Keys on the passenger seat and the door is shut. Annoying, but not a crisis: in almost every case your car is back open within thirty minutes with zero damage to the door or lock. What you should NOT do: force it with a screwdriver, wire or zip-tie. Modern cars have delicate weather-strip rubbers, airbag sensors in the doors and electronics that are easy to damage — often to the tune of hundreds of euros.
- Call a housemate for your spare key first if they're nearby.
- If a child or pet is inside the car, mention it during your first call.
- Do NOT let untrained people pry the door open with a pump or air wedge — this permanently stretches your door frame.
- Call Nova Slotenmaker for a car-opening specialist with the right tools.
How we open a car door without a key
Our car-opening specialists use professional equipment designed for modern vehicles. Unlike breakdown services that only carry an air wedge, we use a 'long-reach tool' through the top of the door frame — no stretched rubbers, no scratches on the paintwork. Works on virtually every passenger or commercial vehicle from 2000 onwards.
- Long-reach tool through the upper window — no contact with paintwork.
- Wedge (inflatable) only on older cars without sensitive sensors.
- Manual door manipulation on cars with electric central locking.
- On-location programming of a new key if the original key is truly lost.
Works on (almost) every make
Our technicians open cars from virtually every major manufacturer every day. Not sure whether your make is covered? Give us a quick call — the answer is usually yes.
- Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Porsche
- BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Smart
- Opel, Ford, Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, DS
- Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda
- Volvo, Fiat, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Tesla
- Vans like the Mercedes Sprinter, VW Transporter and Ford Transit
What does a car locksmith cost?
A damage-free car opening starts from € 85, including call-out within Amsterdam. If a new key needs to be programmed (because the original is truly lost), we give a written quote up front based on make, model year and key type (mechanical, transponder or keyless). No surprises afterwards.
Lost or broken car key? Cut and programmed on location
If your car key is completely lost or broken, we can program a new key and pair it with your vehicle on location for most brands — you don't need to have the car towed to a dealer. That saves both towing costs and days of waiting. See our dedicated Car key duplication in Amsterdam page for prices and process.
Prevent car lockouts
A few small habits and one extra key prevent almost every emergency.
- Always keep a spare key at home in a fixed place.
- Have a second key programmed now — much cheaper than an emergency duplicate later.
- Check the battery in your keyless remote yearly.
- Don't carry the key loose in a coat pocket with other keys — it wears out the buttons faster.