24/7 Car Ignition Replacement in Swindon

Key worn smooth, stuck, snapped, or refusing to turn? Car Key HQ provides fast, mobile ignition barrel replacement and broken key extraction. We stock the most common barrels and housings, allowing us to come to your location across Swindon to fit a brand-new unit and get you back on the road immediately.

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Qualified Master Locksmith

NCFE qualified in auto locksmithing

DBS checked

We stock common ignition barrels

24/7 Mobile service across a 30-mile radius

Qualified Master Locksmith NCFE qualified in auto locksmithing DBS checked We stock common ignition barrels 24/7 Mobile service across a 30-mile radius

Common Ignition Problems We Solve

Ignition housings endure constant wear and tear. Over time, internal mechanical components fail, steering locks jam, electronic ignition switches fail, or keys snap off entirely. Using a heavily worn key can also severely damage the internal lock mechanism. If your vehicle is stranded, we come to you and resolve the issue on the spot.

  • Worn Keys & Damaged Wafers

    Worn Keys & Damaged Wafers

    Using the same car key for years causes the metal blade to wear smooth. When a worn key is repeatedly forced into the ignition, it fails to engage the pins correctly and bends or breaks the delicate internal wafers. We can decode your lock and cut a fresh key to the original factory specifications. If the wafers are already damaged beyond repair, we will replace the barrel completely.

  • Ignition Barrel & Switch Replacement

    Ignition Barrel & Switch Replacement

    If your key refuses to turn, the barrel is completely seized, or the electrical switch behind the barrel has failed, the most reliable fix is a brand-new unit. Because we stock the most common ignition barrels and housings, we can supply and fit a high-quality replacement directly at your location. We also handle the programming of any new keys to your vehicle's immobiliser so everything works perfectly before we leave.

  • Broken Key Extraction

    Broken Key Extraction

    If a key has snapped off inside the ignition, do not try to pull it out with pliers or superglue, as this often forces the broken blade further in. We use specialist auto locksmith extraction tools to safely remove the broken piece. Once removed, we can cut and program a brand-new replacement car key for you on-site.

  • Honest, Professional Methods

    Honest, Professional Methods

    We always aim for non-destructive key extraction first. However, if an ignition barrel has completely failed, seized, and needs to be replaced, the old unit may need to be carefully drilled out for removal. We will always assess the vehicle, explain the exact process, and give you clear options before any work begins.

  • Ignition Replacements For All Major Vehicle Makes

    We stock and supply ignition barrels, housings, and switches for a vast range of cars and commercial vans. Because we specialize in automotive locksmithing, we understand the specific ignition faults common to certain manufacturers (such as Vauxhall Corsa snapped keys or Volkswagen steering lock failures).

    We regularly repair and replace ignitions for:

    • Ford (Transit, Fiesta, Focus)

    • Vauxhall / Opel (Corsa, Astra, Vivaro)

    • Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda & SEAT (VAG Group)

    • Peugeot & Citroen (Boxer, Relay, Dispatch)

    • Nissan, Honda, Toyota & Hyundai

  • Mobile Ignition Repair Across Wiltshire & Gloucestershire

    You don't need to arrange a tow truck. Car Key HQ is a fully mobile auto locksmith service operating 24 hours a day. We travel directly to your home, workplace, or roadside location.

    Our primary service areas include:

    • Swindon & Surrounding: Wroughton, Highworth, Purton, Cricklade.

    • Wiltshire: Marlborough, Devizes, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Melksham.

    • Gloucestershire & Avon: Cirencester, Stroud, Dursley, Wotton-under-Edge, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Bath.

    • Berkshire & Oxfordshire: Hungerford, Newbury, Thatcham, Faringdon, Wantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about ignition barrel replacement or broken key extraction in Swindon? The answers below cover jammed ignitions, worn car keys, failed electronic switches, vehicle recovery alternatives, and what information we need before attending.

For urgent help, contact Car Key HQ and we will guide you through the next step.

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  • This is usually caused by a severely worn key blade that is no longer moving the internal wafers correctly. Continually forcing a worn key will eventually bend those internal components, causing the steering lock or barrel to jam permanently. We can diagnose the exact cause on-site, cut a fresh key, or replace the barrel to solve the problem.

  • If the key turns smoothly but the dashboard lights don't come on or the engine doesn't crank, the electronic ignition switch mounted to the housing has likely failed. We can diagnose and replace faulty ignition switches on-site.

  • Yes. We carry specialist key extraction tools to safely remove broken or snapped blades from ignition barrels without damaging the surrounding lock mechanism.

  • When we install a completely new ignition barrel, it typically requires a new key blade to turn it. We will supply the new keys and fully program them to your vehicle's immobiliser on-site so your car starts perfectly.

  • No. Car Key HQ provides a fully mobile auto locksmith service. We come to your location in Swindon, Wiltshire, and the surrounding areas to carry out the replacement on-site.