Bought a Car at Auction or From Another Province With No Key?

Cars bought at auction, and cars brought in from another province, arrive without a key more often than you might expect. The key went missing somewhere between owners, stayed behind a province away, or the seller never had one to begin with. If that is where you are, the short answer is yes — I take these jobs. The way it works is a little different from a regular lost key, so here is exactly how to set it up.

Why these cars so often come without a key

An auction car can pass through several hands before it reaches your driveway: the previous owner, the auction yard, a transport company. Keys go missing along that chain. Auction listings often note whether keys are included, but that line only reflects what was recorded at one moment — it is not a promise that a key will still be with the car when you pick it up. Out-of-province purchases have their own version of the problem: the car is shipped or driven here, and the spare, if there ever was one, stays with the seller.

Step 1: Send the VIN before anything else

With a car like this I never guess. Send me the VIN first — a photo of the plate at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, or of the VIN on your paperwork — together with:

• The year, make and model, as they appear on the paperwork.
• Where the car is sitting right now — your driveway, a garage, a shop — and whether that is in Winnipeg or in a town.
• Whether the battery is charged. Programming a key needs steady power, and a car that has sat for weeks may be flat.
• Anything unusual: a damaged ignition or door lock, or parts replaced after a collision.

From that, I tell you before I come out whether I can do the job and what it will cost. If the answer is no, you hear it then, not at the car. Two examples I already know: the 2025 and newer Ram and the new-generation Grand Cherokee, which I send to the dealer because of their security gateway, and German makes and Volvo, which I do not work on at all. If you want a checklist for the rest of that first message, here is what to send for an exact price.

Step 2: Have the paperwork ready

A car with no key and a brand-new owner is exactly the situation the ownership check exists for, so this part is not optional. Before any key is cut or programmed, I need to see in person at the car:

• Your photo ID.
• The bill of sale, from the auction or from the seller.
• The registration for the car. For a car from another province, that is its registration from that province.

The name on the paperwork has to match your ID. If your papers look unusual, send a photo of them along with the VIN and I will tell you in advance whether they are enough. No paperwork means no key — the same rule that protects you once the car is yours.

Step 3: The price, before I set out

A car with no key at all is an all-keys-lost job, which starts from $200, all-in with taxes included. I will be straight with you: auction and out-of-province cars usually come in above that starting price. Each one is different, which is why the VIN comes first and why you get the exact number before I set out, not at the car. You pay only once the key works. If you want a spare while I am there, the second key for the same car is half price at the same visit — worth it, because a car that arrived with no key is one lost key away from the same problem.

Getting it registered in Manitoba

If the car came from another province, Manitoba Public Insurance requires a safety Certificate of Inspection before it can be registered here; certificates from a few provinces are accepted, the rest need a Manitoba inspection. Without a valid certificate, the car has to be towed to an inspection station or driven there on a permit from an Autopac agent — and to drive it there, you need a key that starts it. So it is worth sorting the key out first. One more note from MPI's rules: a written-off vehicle with a “salvageable” status cannot be driven or registered until its status is changed to “rebuilt”, so check that status on an auction car before you plan around it.

Where I do the work

I am a mobile locksmith, so the car does not have to move: I work wherever it sits — a driveway, a garage, or a shop that lets me in. Inside Winnipeg there is no charge for the trip; outside the city a travel fee by distance is included in the price I give you up front.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a key for a car I bought at auction with no keys?

Yes, I take these jobs. Send me the VIN first, with the year, make, model and where the car is, and I tell you before I come out whether I can do it and what it will cost. The exceptions I already know about: the 2025 and newer Ram and the new-generation Grand Cherokee go to the dealer, and I do not work on German makes or Volvo.

What paperwork do I need for a key on an auction or out-of-province car?

Your photo ID, the bill of sale and the registration for the car, with names that match. For a car from another province, bring its registration from that province. I check them in person at the car before any key is cut or programmed; if your papers are unusual, send a photo with the VIN and I will tell you in advance whether they are enough.

How much is a key for a car that came with no key?

An all-keys-lost job starts from $200, all-in with taxes included, but auction and out-of-province cars usually come in above that. You get the exact number before I set out, and you pay only once the key works. The second key for the same car is half price at the same visit.

Do I need a key before the Manitoba safety inspection?

You need one to drive the car there. Manitoba Public Insurance requires a safety Certificate of Inspection to register a car brought in from another province, and without a valid certificate the car has to be towed to an inspection station or driven there on a permit from an Autopac agent. Having the key made first means you can drive it in.

Do you come to where the car is?

Yes. I work wherever the car sits: a driveway, a garage or a shop. The trip is free inside Winnipeg; outside the city a travel fee by distance is included in the up-front price.

Related

• Lost all your car keys? How a locksmith helps
• Bought a used car? Get a spare key
• Do you have to tow your car for a new key?
• What to send for an exact price
• Lost all your keys? What it costs
• Lost car key replacement in Winnipeg
• Car keys for dealers and fleets
• See my up-front pricing
• More articles on the Gaucho Keys blog