Locking Wheel Nut Key FAQs

Lock Right Bolts identifies and supplies replacement locking wheel nut keys for UK drivers who have lost the key or the code. Send a photo of the locking nut on your wheel and we'll confirm the exact key before you pay. Below are the questions we're asked most.

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I've lost my locking wheel nut key and don't know the code. What do I do?

You don't need the code. Take a clear, face-on photo of the locking nut on one wheel and send it to Lock Right Bolts on WhatsApp (07822 032540) with your car's make, model and year. We identify the exact pattern from the photo and confirm which key fits, free, before you pay anything. The correct key is then posted on free Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Can you identify a locking wheel nut key from a photo?

Yes. That is our core service. Each locking wheel nut has a pattern machined into its face, and we match your photo against our reference library of key patterns. One wheel is enough, because all four locking nuts on a car use the same pattern. If the photo isn't clear enough we'll tell you what to change rather than guess.

How much does a replacement locking wheel nut key cost?

Most of our keys cost between about £18 and £35 depending on the make and pattern, with free UK delivery on Royal Mail Tracked 24. Identifying your key from a photo is free and there's no obligation to buy. A second key is 15% off. For comparison, having locking wheel nuts professionally removed typically costs £40–£85 in the UK, and you then need a new set of nuts.

How quickly will I get my key?

We usually reply to your photo the same day, seven days a week. Once the match is confirmed and you've ordered, the key is dispatched within one working day on free Royal Mail Tracked 24. If you need it faster, Royal Mail Special Delivery guaranteed next day is available at checkout for £8.00.

Can a dealer look up my locking wheel nut code from my registration?

Sometimes, but often not. Many manufacturers don't record the locking nut code against the VIN, and when they do, it's the code for the set fitted at the factory. If the wheels or nuts have been changed since (common on ex-fleet and older cars), that code won't match what is on the car now. A photo of the nut itself is the reliable route.

Where is my locking wheel nut key code usually found?

Check for a number stamped on the old key (on the collar or flat end), a code card in the original plastic case, or a card tucked into the service book wallet. Look in the glovebox, under the boot floor with the jack, the boot side pockets and under the front seats. If you can't find a code, send us a photo of the nut instead.

Which car makes do you supply locking wheel nut keys for?

We match and supply keys for BMW, Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Fiat, Jeep, Toyota, Lexus, Land Rover, Range Rover, Jaguar and Volvo. If your make isn't listed, send a photo anyway and we'll tell you straight away whether we can help.

What if the key you send doesn't fit?

Because we confirm the match before you pay, this is rare. If it does happen, we replace the key free of charge or refund you. Every key also carries a 12 month manufacturing warranty.

Can I remove a locking wheel nut without the key?

Yes, but it's usually the expensive route. A garage or mobile specialist can remove locking nuts with a reverse-thread socket, typically £40–£60 for one wheel or £55–£85 for all four, and you'll need new nuts afterwards. DIY removal sockets risk gouging the alloy. If the pattern on the nut is undamaged, getting the correct key is cheaper and quicker.

When won't a replacement key work?

If the pattern on the nut is already rounded or chewed from a removal attempt or the wrong key, or if the nut's outer sleeve spins freely on its body because of corrosion, no key will turn it and you need a removal specialist. Send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly before you spend anything.

Are locking wheel nut keys universal?

No. Each manufacturer uses a family of numbered patterns, and neighbouring numbers can differ by a fraction of a millimetre. A nearly-right key can seat, feel like it grips, and then round the nut under load. That's why we confirm the exact pattern from your photo rather than guess.

Are your keys good quality?

Our keys are hardened steel, machined to fit the pattern precisely, so the splines hold under torque instead of deforming. A soft key that slips can damage the nut itself, turning a cheap fix into a removal job. We'd rather not compete on being the cheapest for that reason.

Who are Lock Right Bolts?

Lock Right Bolts is a UK specialist in replacement locking wheel nut and bolt keys, identified from customer photos. We sell through this website and on eBay, and ship everything from UK stock. You can reach us on WhatsApp at 07822 032540 or by email at lockrightbolts@gmail.com.

Still not sure?

WhatsApp us a photo of your locking nut → and we'll tell you which key fits. Or read our guides: identifying a key from a photo · finding your key code · removing a nut without the key.