Blog>Cost Guides>Locking wheel nut removal: Cost breakdown 2025
Last updated: 4 July 2025
Locking wheel nut removal: Cost breakdown 2025
Lost your locking wheel nut key? It happens to the best of us. Use our guide to find out the cost of removing the nut from each of your wheels.
A locking wheel nut, also known as a prevailing torque nut, elastic stop nut, alloy wheel nuts, or lug nuts, refers to a nut that resists loosening pressure under torque. It therefore keeps your vehicle’s wheels safely secured.
There is usually one locking wheel nut per wheel, so a standard vehicle has four identical lug nuts.
Locking wheel nut removal is a process to remove a locking wheel nut when you have damaged, lost, or misplaced the key needed to remove a locking wheel nut.
It’s done using special removal tools and should be conducted by a trained technician to avoid damage to your wheels and alloys.
Fast Facts
Locking wheel nut removal costs average around £50 for one wheel up to around £70 for all four wheels
Mobile locking wheel nut removal starts from around £60 for one wheel
Attempted DIY removal or damaged nuts can increase the price
How much does locking wheel nut removal cost in 2025?
Locking wheel nut removal in the UK costs between £40–£80 on average.
To release the locking wheel nut, you need a unique key: a metallic, circular tool with a hexagonal indent on its end. If you lose this, you will need to get it removed.
You can do it yourself or pay for locking wheel nut removal. The final cost will depend on the number of car wheels and whether you need a mobile service. Read on to discover all the costs involved in locking wheel nut removal pricing and what not to do if you find yourself in need of this service.
Where is the locking wheel nut key usually kept?
Can’t find your locking wheel nut key? Try these standard places within your vehicle before contacting a locking wheel nut removal service:
The glove box
Under the driver’s or passenger’s seat
Inside the boot compartment
Inside the door or seat pockets
The storage compartment in the centre console
Locking wheel nut removal pricing UK
| Cost provided item | Price range - low | Price range - high | Average UK cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove locking wheel nut (one) | £40 | £60 | £50 | |
| Remove locking wheel nuts (four) | £55 | £85 | £70 | |
| Failed attempts rescue locking wheel nut removal (one) | £40 | |||
| Mobile locking wheel nut removal cost (one) | £57.50 | £62.50 | £60 | |
| Mobile locking wheel nut removal cost (four) | £75 | £85 | £80 | |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
For one wheel, locking wheel nut removal costs on average £50
For all four bolts to be removed at the same time, the locking wheel nut removal cost isn't much more, at around £70, on average
Where there have been previous unsuccessful removal attempts, there may be an additional labour charge of £40 per wheel. This charge is for the time to remove sockets and other tools that have become stuck on the locking nuts
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Locking wheel nut removal cost per wheel UK
If you know you’ve lost your locking wheel nut removal key, and can plan to get your vehicle to a garage or locking wheel nut removal service, you’ll be looking at:
Between £40–£60 for one wheel
Between £55–£85 for all four wheels
However, if you need roadside assistance or are stuck at home, you’ll need to plan for the cost of mobile locking wheel nut removal:
Between £57.50–£62.50 for one wheel
Between £75–£85 for all four wheels
A callout charge will be due, which is calculated based on the number of miles the mechanic has to cover to reach you.
Locking wheel nut removal service prices
Based on getting your vehicle to a garage or locking wheel nut removal service, there are three different costs you could face:
Removing just one locking wheel nut: Averages around £50
Removing all four locking wheel nuts: Averages around £70
‘Failed attempt rescue’ if you’ve unsuccessfully tried to remove the wheel nuts previously: Around £40 per wheel
Locking wheel nut removal: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool below to help calculate how much you can expect to pay to have your locking wheel nut removed.
Need help working out cost? Our job estimate tool calculates the costs for you.
Factors that affect the cost of locking wheel nut removal
When planning for the cost of locking wheel nut removal, you may be keen to know what factors can impact the price you’ll pay:
Number of nuts: Your total cost will depend on the number of locking wheel nuts to be removed. More nuts = higher price
DIY attempts: Damaged locking wheel nut removal may take longer and therefore cost more. This is why it’s safest to leave this job to a trained technician with the tools and skills to complete the work without causing damage to your vehicle
Mobile service: For a mobile locking wheel nut service to come to you, costs will be slightly higher. You may also face a callout fee based on the distance travelled
Type of wheel lock: Certain types, such as McGard wheel locks, are designed to be harder to remove without the correct key, which could increase the labour time and therefore cost
Location: Expect to find some regional variance in pricing; callout prices could be higher in remote areas
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Hidden costs to watch out for
Alongside the cost of locking wheel nut removal, you could face some additional costs. These are the main ones to be aware of:
Wheel or alloy damage (from DIY attempts)
Travel fees for a mobile locking wheel nut removal service
Cost of replacement nuts or keys
Potential alloy repair or powder coat touch-up
Cost of hiring a locking wheel nut removal service vs DIY
Locking wheel nuts have a unique pattern that pairs with a specific key. This is so that your wheels can’t be whipped off by a potential thief.
If you’ve lost your locking wheel nut removal key, a trained technician can help. They have the tools and skills to safely remove your vehicle’s locking wheel nuts without damaging the wheel or the nut itself.
Attempting this as a DIY task can increase your overall bill, as damaged locking wheel nut removal is more expensive than opting for a locking wheel nut removal service in the first instance.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
Locking wheel nut removal cost checklist
Use this handy checklist to help budget effectively and avoid unexpected costs:
Check all common locations for your locking wheel nut removal key (glove box, under the seats, boot, door, and seat pockets)
Confirm the number of locking wheel nuts that need removing (one or all four)
Avoid DIY removal without the proper key – it may cause damage
Get quotes from three locking wheel nut removers covering your local area
Ask if the price includes a callout fee if it’s for a mobile service
Confirm if there’s an extra charge for damaged locking wheel nut removal (aka failed previous attempts)
Book a checked mobile locking wheel nut removal service if stranded
Book a checked locking wheel nut removal service
Before being given our seal of approval, our tradespeople must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding The Checkatrade Standard. For a job done right, hire a reviewed locking nut removal service with Checkatrade.
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Locking wheel nut removal: FAQs
How much does it cost to get a locking wheel nut removed?
The average cost to remove one locking wheel nut is £50 for one wheel, up to around £70 for all four wheels.
Mobile locking wheel nut removal starts from around £60 for one wheel, with a full set costing around £80.
Can garages remove locking wheel nuts?
Yes. Most garages and mobile mechanics can remove locking wheel nuts using specialist tools if your key is lost.
What happens if the locking wheel nut cannot be removed?
In some circumstances, the locking wheel nut cannot be removed, and different approaches are required. However, these techniques can only be employed if the bolt was not overtightened during installation. There are a couple of options that can be explored:
A technician can use a tool to break the bolt’s head and, using torque, force the bolt off. This invasive method, although often useful, might cause permanent damage to the locking wheel nuts, and they may need replacement
A moulded replicate tool of the missing part of the lug nut can be employed to remove the nut. This approach is generally favoured as it causes minimal damage
Can I replace a lost locking wheel nut key?
You can always get a replacement locking wheel nut key, and you should get it from your car’s manufacturer, as they differ with each vehicle brand.
What happens if I lose my locking wheel nut key?
You can acquire a new locking wheel nut key if you have lost it — the car’s manufacturer will typically offer replacement keys for purchase. But you will need to have the key’s unique code given to you when you bought the vehicle.
Where can I find my locking wheel nut key code?
The wheel nut key code is customarily given to you by the manufacturer when you buy the vehicle. It is written on the locking wheel nut’s packaging box.
Will removing my wheel locks damage my alloys?
Not if done by a trained technician. DIY or invasive methods can cause damage to the powder and lacquer coat of the alloys.
How long does it take to remove locking wheel nuts?
The duration of time to remove locking wheel nuts depends on whether or not the nuts are damaged. The style of lock is also a factor, with systems such as McGard locking nuts taking a longer time to remove. On average, allow around 30 minutes to an hour to remove all four nuts.
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