Auto Locksmith
Staffordshire You Can Rely On

No. AutoVault does not charge a call-out fee, which is unusual in the auto locksmith industry — many competitors, especially call-centre-style operations, charge £40-£80 just for a technician to attend before any work begins. With Ben, you only pay for the job itself: the key, the programming, or the repair. If you call and decide not to proceed for any reason, there's no charge for the visit.

Ben covers all major manufacturers including Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Audi, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, SEAT, Skoda, Fiat and more — both petrol, diesel and increasingly hybrid and EV models. He carries AUTEL, ACDP, Xhorse Key Tool Plus, Zedfull Plus, MultiProg and JLR SDD to cover the vast majority of makes and models. For some of the newest, highest-security vehicle platforms, manufacturer-level access is required, which is exactly what the new SERMI scheme regulates. Call or WhatsApp with your registration number and Ben will confirm coverage before attending, so there are no surprises.

In almost all cases, yes — often significantly so. A main dealer replacement key can involve booking days in advance, paying a recovery or call-out charge, and being billed at dealer labour rates that can run well over £100 per hour. AutoVault attends the same day in most cases, charges no call-out fee, and uses key blanks and programming equipment to the same specification dealers use — frequently at a fraction of the total dealer quote, without your car ever leaving your driveway or workplace.

Yes. Commercial vehicle work makes up a significant share of Ben's jobs — Ford Transit and Transit Custom, Mercedes Sprinter, Vauxhall Vivaro and similar van platforms are some of the most common callouts across Staffordshire. Spare keys for newly purchased work vans, ignition barrel failures that leave tradesmen stranded mid-job, and all-keys-lost recovery are all covered on commercial vehicles exactly as they are on cars, with the same no call-out fee policy.

All-keys-lost is one of the single most common jobs Ben handles, and it's also the job where having a full range of equipment matters most. Using AUTEL and ACDP, Ben can read the vehicle's immobiliser data and programme a brand-new key directly on-site — including cutting a working blade — even when there is no original key present to copy from. Depending on the make and security system involved, this typically takes between 30 minutes and around 1.5 hours, all completed at your location without a tow truck or dealer booking.

Yes. Ben holds a current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and £5 million public liability insurance, and his SERMI registration is currently in progress. SERMI is the new industry-wide vetting framework — covering identity verification, criminal record checks, and proof of legitimate business activity — that governs who can legally access manufacturer security data for key programming and immobiliser work. When someone is granted full access to start and drive your vehicle, knowing they are verified, insured and accountable should matter, and it's something you're always welcome to ask to see proof of before work begins.

SERMI (Security-Related Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Information) is a UK and Europe-wide certification scheme that controls who is authorised to access vehicle manufacturer security systems — including key programming, immobiliser resets and anti-theft module data. It is administered by RMI Standards and Certification (RMISC), the same body that oversees the Independent Garage Association's vetting standards. The scheme has grown in importance following a well-documented rise in rogue, unvetted operators overcharging customers or carrying out unnecessary work. SERMI registration requires DBS checks, public liability insurance, identity verification and proof of legitimate business activity. Ben's SERMI registration is currently in progress. You can read more directly from the Independent Garage Association's official SERMI page.