First: are you sure it's missing?
Before assuming the worst, check the most common hiding places:
- Spare wheel well (often clipped to the inside of the boot floor).
- Glove box and centre console.
- Under the driver's seat or in the door pockets.
- Inside the wheel-brace pouch with the jack.
- Owner's manual pouch — many manufacturers ship the key here.
Option 1: Order a replacement key
If you have time (not an emergency) and the locking wheel nut isn't damaged:
- Find the key number — often stamped on the original key or in your owner's manual.
- Order from the dealer (£15–£40, 3–7 days).
- Cheaper third-party (eBay, AC Anderson): £8–£20.
- No key number? Some specialists can identify the pattern from a photo of the locking nut.
Option 2: Specialist removal at the roadside
This is what most callers want when they've discovered the problem during a flat tyre. A specialist removal kit (Laser Tools 5871, McGard removal sockets) drives a hardened reverse-thread cap over the locking nut and unwinds it. Done correctly: 5–15 minutes per wheel, no alloy damage.
Cost in London
- Mobile specialist (us and most experienced fitters): £45–£90 per nut, often included free if you're buying tyres at the same callout.
- Garage specialist: £30–£60 per nut + you have to get the car there.
- Dealer: £60–£150 per nut (usually with hours of waiting).
Option 3: Drilling out (last resort)
If the locking nut head has been damaged by previous removal attempts, sometimes the only option is to drill out the wheel stud. This requires removing the brake calliper and hub assembly. Cost: £150–£300 per wheel. Time: 1–3 hours per wheel.
How long does specialist removal take?
Realistic times based on hundreds of jobs across London:
- Undamaged locking nut: 5–10 mins per wheel.
- Slightly chewed but still has thread profile: 15–25 mins.
- Heavily damaged head: 30–60 mins, may need to step up tool sizes.
- Completely destroyed: drilling required (1–3 hours per wheel).
Need a tyre fixed right now?
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What to do once they're off
Two sensible options once your wheels are nut-free:
1. Replace with standard alloy nuts
Most modern alloy theft is opportunistic. Standard nuts at £2–£5 each are fine if you park sensibly. Insurance impact: usually nil.
2. Fit new, modern locking nuts with replacement key
McGard Ultra High Security or BMW-genuine equivalents cost £25–£50 a set with two keys. Keep one in the glove box, one at home. Don't lose them this time.
Preventing this next time
- Photograph your locking key code the moment you get the car.
- Order a spare key immediately and store it at home.
- Replace 10+ year old locking nuts — corrosion makes them prone to damage during removal.
- Never let a tyre fitter use an impact gun on a locking nut — it destroys the head pattern.