Auto Key Spares Automotive Locksmiths Pty Ltd
Joseph regularly programs keys other locksmiths have already failed on — often for a fraction of the dealership price.
Customers name him personally across almost every review, which means your experience is directly tied to his availability on a given day; there is no team to fall back on if he's stretched. One review raises a concern about repeated no-shows for a follow-up appointment — worth noting, though it remains an isolated account against an otherwise consistent pattern of on-time arrivals. Confirm scheduling expectations upfront, especially if your job requires a part to be ordered and a second visit booked.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (80 total)
“Fixed a problem other highly rated locksmiths couldnt”
“completely unbiased advice and was extremely helpful”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Auto Key Spares Automotive Locksmiths Pty Ltd
Joseph (also called Jong) is the sole technician behind this mobile automotive locksmith operation, and his specialty is complex electronic key programming — the kind of work that trips up general locksmiths. Reviewers consistently describe him solving problems that other locksmiths had already failed on, including Renaults with layered electronic complications, BMWs requiring multi-visit diagnostics, and stolen-key reprogramming that invalidates the old key from the system entirely. His pricing model is deliberately positioned against dealership quotes: multiple customers report savings of $300–$700 over what a Subaru, Mitsubishi, BMW, or VW dealer had quoted, and he offers a workshop-visit option (customer brings the car to him) that drops the cost further — an option no competitor mentioned in those reviews offered. Response times skew fast, with several after-hours callouts — including 7pm and 8pm beach lockouts — handled in under 30 minutes to arrival. He operates across the Northern Beaches corridor and inner Sydney, covering suburbs like Cromer, and uses a technician-tracking app so customers know exactly when he'll arrive. At roughly a decade in operation as a sole trader, everything rises and falls on Joseph directly — his availability, his mood, and his schedule.
Best for: emergency car lockouts on the Northern Beaches, complex electronic key programming where dealers have quoted high prices, and spare key duplication for European or Japanese vehicles.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Auto Key Spares Automotive Locksmiths Pty Ltd
What areas does Auto Key Spares cover?+
Joseph is based in Elanora Heights on the Northern Beaches but operates across a wide area. Reviews confirm he's attended jobs in Cromer, inner Sydney, and other Northern Beaches suburbs. Multiple customers note he was one of the only locksmiths willing to travel to the Northern Beaches area, which tends to be underserved by mobile locksmiths. It's worth calling ahead to confirm coverage if you're further south or west.
Does Joseph handle after-hours and emergency callouts?+
Yes — multiple reviews describe evening callouts at 7pm and 8pm, including beach lockouts and weekend emergencies. Arrival times in those reviews ranged from 20 to 30 minutes. He appears to operate outside standard business hours on a case-by-case basis, so calling directly rather than waiting for a web form response is the best approach for urgent situations.
How does pricing compare to going to a car dealership?+
Across the reviews we analysed, customers consistently report saving several hundred dollars versus dealership quotes for the same job — with specific examples including $200 vs $530 for a Mitsubishi 380 flip key, and savings of around $700 on another vehicle. The gap is most pronounced on electronic key programming jobs where dealers charge a premium for OEM parts. If you bring the car to Joseph rather than having him come to you, the price drops further.
Can Joseph handle complex electronic keys, not just basic car key cutting?+
Electronic key programming is the core of what he does — reviewers mention successful jobs on BMWs, Renaults, Subarus, VW Golfs, Lexus, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi models. Several customers describe him solving issues that other locksmiths had already attempted and failed. He uses high-end programming equipment and can also reprogram your existing keys to invalidate a stolen key from the system entirely.
Is it easy to book a follow-up or second visit if parts need to be ordered?+
For straightforward same-day jobs, scheduling and punctuality are consistently praised. One review does describe repeated failed follow-up appointments when a shell part needed to be ordered, so if your job requires a return visit, it's worth confirming the timeline clearly when you book and getting a specific commitment in writing or via text. This appears to be an isolated account, but it's the area most worth double-checking directly with Joseph before committing.