Best Locksmiths in Exeter & East Devon: 2026 Guide

Which Exeter locksmith should you call?

Choose an Exeter locksmith by the job and the evidence behind the business, not simply by whichever advert appears first. For a complex safe, vehicle or commercial-security problem, ASAP Locksmith Services has the broadest independently listed service range. For an owner-led MLA-approved mobile service, David Wilkie is the clearest fit. Lockforce Exeter & East Devon combines recent MLA approval with a deep Checkatrade review profile. Exeter Locksmiths is the practical city choice when you want a physical shop as well as an emergency number.

If you are east of the city, J-Bee Locksmith, The Lock Monkey, Angus & Davey and Roberts/East Devon Lock & Key publish named local services covering different parts of Exeter, Exmouth, Cranbrook, Sidmouth, Honiton and the surrounding towns. Auto Lock Devon is the specialist choice for car and van keys. Availability changes, especially at night, so ring two suitable businesses and compare the complete quote rather than repeatedly calling the same unanswered number.

| Locksmith | Best for | Base or main coverage | Published availability | |---|---|---|---| | ASAP Locksmith Services | MLA-approved lock, safe, access-control and vehicle work | Marsh Barton, Exeter | 24-hour call-outs | | Lockforce Exeter & East Devon | MLA-approved domestic, commercial and smart-lock work | Exeter, Cullompton and eastern EX postcodes | 24/7 emergency and scheduled work | | David Wilkie Master Locksmith | Owner-led MLA-approved emergency work | Exminster and wider Devon | 24-hour emergency line | | First Choice Locksmiths | Residential lockouts, uPVC locks and security upgrades | Exeter and surrounding areas | Seven days a week | | Exeter Locksmiths | Walk-in key cutting plus mobile emergency work | Cowick Street, St Thomas | Shop weekdays; emergency line 24/7 | | J-Bee Locksmith | East Devon lockouts, uPVC repairs and mobile key cutting | Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge | Usually 7am–11pm daily | | The Lock Monkey | East Devon call-outs and the option of a female locksmith | Exmouth, Exeter and East Devon | 24/7 emergency service | | Roberts/East Devon Lock & Key | Shop-based keys, master-key systems and planned repairs | Ottery St Mary, Honiton and East Devon | Shops six days; engineer visits by arrangement | | Angus & Davey Locksmiths | uPVC, aluminium, composite door and window repairs | Cranbrook, Exeter, Exmouth and East Devon | Emergency and planned work; confirm by phone | | Auto Lock Devon | Replacement and spare vehicle keys, programming and van locks | Exeter-based mobile service across Devon | Mobile appointments and emergency vehicle entry |

How did we choose these locksmiths?

We reviewed the shortlist on 2 September 2026 using each business's current website, the Master Locksmiths Association directory, Companies House where a limited company could be identified, and independent review platforms. We looked for a real local base or named operator, a working first-party website, a direct contact route, clear coverage, useful service detail and a positive third-party review profile.

Every included business appeared to be actively trading online when checked. That means its current site and contact details were live and its services were corroborated elsewhere; it does not guarantee that somebody will answer or be available for your postcode at a particular time. This is desk research, not a mystery shop. Dinners With Friends has not tested the workmanship of the businesses below, and no locksmith has paid for inclusion or position.

Association membership, DBS checks, response times, guarantees and insurance are identified as independently listed or as claims made by the business itself. We excluded generic location pages where we could not identify a genuinely local operator, and did not use a copied badge or a handful of testimonials on a business's own website as sufficient review evidence.

What did the independent review check show?

All ten businesses had a positive score on at least one third-party review platform when checked on 2 September 2026. The figures below are a dated snapshot, not a promise: reviews can be added, removed or challenged, and each platform verifies and calculates scores differently.

| Business | Independent review snapshot | What we could verify | |---|---|---| | ASAP Locksmith Services | 5.0/5 from 154 reviews on Birdeye, including 94 attributed to Google | New reviews were visible in 2026; address matched the MLA listing | | Lockforce Exeter & East Devon | 10.0/10 from 61 Checkatrade reviews | Current profile plus the MLA's 2026 approval announcement | | David Wilkie | 5.0/5 from five Yell reviews | Latest visible review dated 12 July 2026; address and number matched the MLA handbook | | First Choice | 5.0/5 from 12 MyBuilder reviews | A January 2026 review and a separate 5.0/5 Yell profile were visible | | Exeter Locksmiths | 5.0/5 from two Yell reviews | Small review sample, but a live shop site and matching active company record | | J-Bee Locksmith | 5.0/5 from 142 Bark reviews | Numerous reviews dated through July 2026, including reviews attributed to Google Maps | | The Lock Monkey | 5.0/5 from 31 Yell ratings | Its live site also displayed more than 400 Google reviews in September 2026 | | Roberts/East Devon Lock & Key | 4.82/5 from 25 aggregated reviews | Current Honiton and Ottery St Mary shop evidence; check which branch handles the job | | Angus & Davey | 5.0/5 from 20 Yell ratings | The review profile spans the business's earlier ownership; its current operator took over in 2022 | | Auto Lock Devon | 4.6/5 from 21 Trustpilot reviews | Recent reviews included September and November 2025; the Exeter address matched its current site |

Review volume is not a substitute for technical competence. A five-star average from two reviews carries less evidence than dozens of detailed recent reviews, while even a large profile can contain incentivised or irrelevant feedback. Read the newest, lowest and most detailed reviews, then check that they describe the same named business and service you are booking.

Who are the best locksmiths in Exeter and East Devon?

ASAP Locksmith Services — best for independently approved specialist work

ASAP Locksmith Services is based at Ashton Business Centre on Marsh Barton Trading Estate. Its current Master Locksmiths Association listing records approval number 003920, a 24-hour call-out service and capabilities covering mechanical and electrical access control, safes and vehicle locksmithing as well as ordinary home lockouts and replacement locks.

That makes ASAP the most versatile choice on this list. It is particularly useful if the problem involves a car key, safe, aluminium commercial door, master-key system or access control rather than a straightforward night latch. The published number is 01392 715353.

Choose ASAP if: you want a currently listed MLA-approved Exeter business or the job is more specialised than opening and replacing a domestic lock.

Lockforce Exeter & East Devon — best combination of approval and recent reviews

Lockforce Exeter & East Devon is operated locally by Nigel Manning and covers Exeter, Cullompton and the eastern EX postcodes. In 2026, the Master Locksmiths Association announced that the business had joined its approved-company network. Its current Checkatrade search profile displays 10.0 from 61 reviews, the strongest combination of third-party approval and review depth in this shortlist.

The published service includes lockouts, lock fitting and repair, uPVC door and window work, digital or smart locks and commercial access-control jobs. Lockforce says there is no call-out charge, that Nigel is DBS checked and insured, and that work carries a guarantee. Its Exeter number is 01392 244094 and the direct mobile is 07423 420845.

The business publishes unusually detailed case notes from local jobs, including door alignment, gearbox repair and lock work in Exeter, Honiton, Cullompton, Seaton and Ottery St Mary. Those posts are self-published, but they help establish the type and geographic spread of work being undertaken.

Choose Lockforce if: you want a named local locksmith with current MLA approval and a substantial Checkatrade history, particularly for uPVC, smart-lock or door-alignment work.

David Wilkie Master Locksmith — best for an owner-led MLA service

David Wilkie Master Locksmith operates from Exminster, just south of Exeter. The business appears in the MLA's 2025 handbook under approval number 002712, and its own site publishes a 24-hour emergency service covering Exeter and towns across Devon. Services include gaining entry, lock repair and replacement, key cutting, safes and vehicle work.

This is the alternative for somebody who wants to speak directly to a named independent locksmith while retaining the reassurance of MLA approval. The general number is 01392 825711 and the published emergency number is 07740 874042.

Choose David Wilkie if: you want a direct owner-led service, you are south of Exeter, or you want an MLA-approved locksmith without going through a larger workshop.

First Choice Locksmiths — best for Trading Standards approval

First Choice Locksmiths is a family-run Exeter business available seven days a week. It covers emergency entry, replacement locks, uPVC and composite-door mechanisms, British Standard locks, on-site key cutting, digital locks and domestic or commercial security work. It publishes no call-out fee, although you should still ask for the total labour-and-parts price before booking.

First Choice's site states that it belongs to the United Kingdom Locksmiths Association and the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Buy With Confidence scheme; Yell separately displays both credentials on its business profile. The scheme assesses participating traders against its code rather than acting as a simple review badge. Recheck the scheme's live directory if formal approval is important to your decision.

The business publishes 01392 275389 and 07846 507947. Its stated hours vary across the week, so this is a seven-day service rather than one to assume is available at every hour of every night.

Choose First Choice if: you value Trading Standards approval, need residential or uPVC work, and can agree a time within its published availability.

Exeter Locksmiths — best for a real shop and key cutting

Exeter Locksmiths has something most mobile-only listings cannot offer: a physical shop at 39 Cowick Street, St Thomas, EX4 1AW. The shop publishes weekday opening from 10am to 3pm for key cutting, lock supplies, surveys and general enquiries, plus a separate 24/7 emergency number outside those hours.

The business says it has traded locally since 1997. The current limited company, Exeter Locksmiths Limited, is also visible as an active company at Companies House, incorporated in 2019 at the same Cowick Street address. That combination of a shopfront, matching public record and direct contact details makes the business unusually easy to verify.

The shop number is 01392 272725 and the published out-of-hours line is 07711 133850.

Choose Exeter Locksmiths if: you need keys cut, want to visit a real premises, or prefer an established city business with a separate emergency line.

J-Bee Locksmith — best for East Devon and clear terms

J-Bee Locksmith is run by Jim, an HM Forces veteran offering a direct mobile service across Exeter, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Honiton, Budleigh Salterton, Ottery St Mary, Topsham, Cullompton and Teignbridge. The published service includes domestic and commercial lockouts, uPVC repairs, security upgrades, some vehicle entry and on-site cutting of selected keys.

The useful detail is the clarity. J-Bee states there is no call-out fee, that costs are discussed before work starts, and that parts and labour carry a 12-month guarantee. Its normal working window is stated as 7am to 11pm every day; the site describes an emergency service but does not promise round-the-clock attendance. It also states that Jim is insured, DBS checked and a member of Certified Locksmiths & Security. Those are business claims rather than an MLA listing, so ask for evidence if you need it.

The direct number is 07935 552927.

Choose J-Bee if: you are in East Devon, want to speak to the person attending, or have a uPVC door or window problem as well as an ordinary lockout.

The Lock Monkey — best if a female locksmith would feel more comfortable

The Lock Monkey is an independent family business based in Exmouth and serving Exeter, East Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay. It publishes a 24/7 emergency service, no call-out charge, free estimates and non-destructive entry where possible. The business also employs an experienced female locksmith, which may matter to an elderly person, somebody living alone or anyone who would simply feel more comfortable with that option.

The site states more than ten years in the trade and gives 07950 148390 as the direct number. Its East Devon emergency page quotes a 30-minute response around Exmouth, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Topsham, Cranbrook and Exeter, with 30–70 minutes for more distant parts of Teignbridge and Torbay. Treat those as estimates, not guarantees; traffic on the A30, M5 and Devon's smaller roads has opinions of its own.

Choose The Lock Monkey if: you are east of Exeter, want a 24-hour independent service, or would prefer to request a female locksmith.

Roberts/East Devon Lock & Key — best for an East Devon shop counter

Roberts (Ottery St Mary), trading with East Devon Lock & Key, publishes a shop at 13 Broad Street, Ottery St Mary, EX11 1BU and services through the related Honiton shop. The Honiton Business Network lists that branch as Honiton Hardware at 104 High Street, Honiton, EX14 1JW. The current website refers to both shops and says they open six days a week, but its wording around branch details is not perfectly clear, so ring before making a special journey.

The useful distinction is retail depth. Alongside lockouts and uPVC repair, the business cuts ordinary and older-style keys, sells locks and padlocks, builds keyed-alike and master-key systems, and sources brands including Yale, Union, ERA, Legge and Asec. Its independent review snapshot was 4.82 from 25 aggregated reviews, with recurring praise for key cutting and helpful service.

The Ottery St Mary number is 01404 813240; the Honiton and engineer-booking number is 01404 47052.

Choose Roberts/East Devon Lock & Key if: you are around Honiton or Ottery St Mary, want to take a key or lock into a shop, or need a planned master-key or keyed-alike system.

Angus & Davey Locksmiths — best for doors, windows and mechanisms

Angus & Davey Locksmiths is a local independent service covering Cranbrook, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Sidmouth, Cullompton, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton, Dawlish and Crediton. The current operator says he worked with founder Garry Angus before taking over when Garry retired in 2022.

Its useful speciality is the hardware around the lock: uPVC, aluminium and composite doors, multipoint gearboxes, window hinges, misted glazing, door closers and aluminium shopfronts. The site states that the operator is DBS checked and insured, offers clear pricing, and attempts non-destructive entry where possible. Yell displays 5.0 from 20 ratings, although that profile spans the business's earlier ownership as well as the current one.

The published direct number is 07521 392548.

Choose Angus & Davey if: the door or window itself is misaligned, jammed or damaged, or you need a commercial door closer or shopfront repaired alongside the lock.

Auto Lock Devon — best specialist for car and van keys

Auto Lock Devon is a mobile vehicle locksmith based in Exeter. It publishes car-key cutting and programming, replacement keys when every copy is lost, non-destructive vehicle entry, broken-key work and van deadlocks. This is a narrower service than a domestic locksmith, but a stronger fit when the key contains a transponder or remote that must be programmed to the vehicle.

The independent review evidence is comparatively broad: Trustpilot displayed 4.6 from 21 reviews, including recent 2025 reports about replacement VW keys and vehicle-key fault finding, while Cylex aggregated a larger cross-platform footprint. Its site identifies Richard as the operator and publishes an Exeter base at St Lawrence Crescent.

The direct number is 07403 639918. Give the registration, make, model, year and whether every key is lost when requesting a quote; capability and price vary by vehicle.

Choose Auto Lock Devon if: the problem is a car or van key, remote, transponder, ignition barrel or vehicle lock rather than a door at home.

Which locksmith is best for your particular job?

The nearest suitable locksmith is usually better than the theoretically perfect one an hour away. Use this as a quick decision rule:

• Locked out of a home in Exeter: compare David Wilkie, Lockforce, First Choice and Exeter Locksmiths.
• Locked out late at night: start with a provider that explicitly publishes 24-hour attendance—ASAP, David Wilkie, Exeter Locksmiths' emergency line or The Lock Monkey.
• uPVC door will not lock: Lockforce, First Choice, J-Bee, The Lock Monkey and Angus & Davey publish specific uPVC repair experience. A failed multipoint mechanism may need repair, not an entirely new door.
• Car or van lockout: ASAP has independently listed auto capability; J-Bee provides vehicle entry but says it does not currently cut or programme vehicle keys. Confirm the exact make, model and service before dispatch.
• Replacement vehicle key or programming: Auto Lock Devon is the dedicated local specialist; ASAP also has auto capability independently listed by the MLA.
• Keys copied while you wait: Exeter Locksmiths, Roberts in Ottery St Mary and Honiton Hardware provide physical retail options. ASAP also publishes workshop and key-cutting services.
• Safe, master-key or access-control problem: start with ASAP. These are specialist jobs, and an ordinary domestic call-out service may not carry the equipment or manufacturer knowledge required.
• East Devon village or coastal town: J-Bee, The Lock Monkey, Lockforce and Angus & Davey publish broad named coverage; Roberts adds shop counters in Ottery St Mary and Honiton.

How much does a locksmith cost in Exeter?

There is no official Exeter tariff. The price depends on the lock, whether it can be opened non-destructively, the time, travel, labour and replacement parts. As a market reference rather than a guaranteed quote, Checkatrade's current Exeter page displays a range of £119 to £220 and an average of £159 for locksmith work.

The Which? Trusted Traders locksmith cost guide gives a more useful job-by-job national comparison. Its published ranges include labour and materials but exclude VAT:

| Example job | Which? published range | |---|---| | Remove a broken key without replacing the cylinder | £80–£100 | | Regain entry through one standard mortice and one rim lock | £90–£130 | | Replace a standard euro cylinder on a uPVC door | £100–£150 | | Replace an anti-snap euro cylinder | £125–£170 | | Replace a mortice lock | £100–£150 | | Replace a Yale-type lock on a wooden door | £80–£120 |

These are national guide prices, not Exeter quotes. A whole multipoint mechanism, specialist safe, unusual vehicle key, bank-holiday visit or remote rural journey can sit outside them.

Ask for the likely total rather than only the hourly rate. The quote should make clear:

1. whether there is a call-out or attendance fee;
2. the labour charge and whether it changes out of hours;
3. the estimated price of any replacement lock or mechanism;
4. whether VAT is included;
5. what would cause the estimate to change after inspection; and
6. whether there is a guarantee on parts and workmanship.

The Master Locksmiths Association recommends getting three quotes where the job is not urgent. If you are stranded outside at midnight, two clear quotes are better than accepting a suspiciously cheap headline because it is the first advert you saw. Our guide to enjoying Exeter on a budget was not written for emergencies, but the same rule applies: know the full price before committing.

Are locksmiths licensed in the UK?

No. There is no government licensing system that somebody must pass before advertising as a locksmith in the UK. That makes independent evidence unusually important.

MLA-approved companies are vetted, inspected and required to employ somebody with the association's qualification. Trading Standards' Buy With Confidence scheme provides a different kind of third-party check. Membership of other bodies may still be useful, but ask what assessment it involves and confirm the business appears in the organisation's current directory.

A DBS claim is not a substitute for locksmith competence, just as a qualification is not a price guarantee. The strongest combination is a traceable local business, appropriate technical approval, clear terms, current reviews across more than one platform and a named person who will attend.

How can you avoid a rogue emergency locksmith?

The Master Locksmiths Association's consumer guidance warns about £39, £49 and £59 adverts that become much larger bills after attendance. Its examples include customers being charged more than £500 for a simple lockout. A low quote is not automatically dishonest, but an implausibly low hook combined with vague answers is a reason to stop.

Before booking, ask these questions:

• What is the trading name and who will attend? A direct local locksmith should be willing to give you both.
• Are you sending an employee or a subcontractor? If it is a subcontractor, ask who your contract and payment will be with.
• What is the total likely charge? Include attendance, labour, parts, VAT and the out-of-hours rate.
• Will you try non-destructive entry first? Drilling is sometimes necessary, but it should not be the automatic first move on an ordinary working lock.
• Can I see current accreditation? Check it in the issuing body's directory rather than trusting a badge copied onto a website.
• What proof will you require from me? A responsible locksmith should establish that you have the right to enter the property.

If the answers become less clear as the conversation continues, call somebody else. Urgency is real; it is not a reason to surrender basic checks.

What should you do if you are locked out right now?

First, move somewhere safe and well lit. If a child, vulnerable adult, active cooker, fire risk or medical emergency is inside, call 999 rather than waiting for a routine locksmith.

Then check the obvious without forcing anything: another authorised entrance, a housemate, landlord, letting agent or trusted person with a spare key. Do not climb, smash glass or attempt lock-picking advice from a video; the repair can cost more than the call-out and you can injure yourself.

When you ring:

1. give your exact postcode and describe the door and lock;
2. say whether the key is lost, inside, snapped or turning without opening;
3. send photographs if requested;
4. agree the likely total and arrival window;
5. ask the name of the person attending; and
6. have photo identification or proof of occupancy ready if accessible.

If you are waiting outside alone, tell a friend where you are or wait in a nearby open business. The Lock Monkey's emergency advice makes the same sensible point: a cafe, pub, neighbour's home or other public place is better than an isolated doorstep while the locksmith travels.

Should you change the locks after moving home?

Changing or rekeying exterior locks is sensible when you cannot account for every old key. Previous owners, tenants, cleaners, tradespeople and neighbours may all have been given copies over the years. Ask a locksmith whether the existing hardware can be rekeyed or whether replacement is better, and check any requirements in your tenancy or insurance policy before altering a rented property.

Devon and Cornwall Police advises checking that timber or composite doors, frames, hinges and locks are secure and British Standard approved. For uPVC doors, an exposed euro cylinder should not project far enough to be easily snapped; the police guidance suggests replacing a protruding cylinder with a shorter one. For a new door, ask about PAS 24:2022 accredited products.

If you have recently arrived, our new-to-Exeter starter guide covers the rest of the practical settling-in work, while the Exeter neighbourhoods guide explains the character of each area. Once the door locks properly, exploring the city's independent shops and makers is a much nicer way to spend the afternoon.

Save a number before you need it

The best time to choose a locksmith is while you are inside, warm and not staring at a key through the other side of the glass. Pick two suitable local numbers from this guide, save them under Locksmith – Exeter, and update the contact if you move elsewhere in Devon.

Then get back to the better parts of local life: knowing your neighbourhood, supporting the people who work in it and occasionally leaving the house on purpose.