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Key Control & Security
Smart Key Management for UK Car Dealers
Misplaced or unaccounted keys are one of the biggest sources of dispute and insurance complications for dealerships. DealerGate's Smart Key Management system tracks every key set in real time — from the minute stock arrives to the moment it's handed to a buyer.
- ✔ Digital key register — no more paper key books
- ✔ Assign keys to staff, customers, or service
- ✔ Instant audit trail — time-stamped & logged
- ✔ NFC & QR tag support for physical key tracking
- ✔ GPS forecourt tracking — 250m radius coverage
- ✔ Ping any key from the app — fob beeps on command
- ✔ Live map view — locate keys within 150m accuracy
- ✔ Ties directly to your vehicle stock record
Key Stats
£2,000+ — average cost of a lost key per vehicle
Instant — audit trail available on any device
NFC & QR Tag Scanning
Attach low-cost NFC or QR tags to each key set. Scan in/out via the DealerGate app in seconds.
Full Audit History
Every key movement is logged with user, date, time, and reason — perfect for FCA inspection.
Alerts & Reminders
Receive automated alerts if a key hasn't been returned after a set period, reducing losses.
GPS Forecourt Tracking
Find Any Key in Seconds — From Your Phone
Every DealerGate key fob contains a compact GPS chip that stays active across your entire forecourt. The moment a key goes missing, open the DealerGate app, select the vehicle, and tap Ping. The fob responds instantly — emitting a loud audible beep so staff can hear it — while the app simultaneously plots its exact location on a live map.
The GPS coverage radius covers 250 metres — enough to cover even the largest independent forecourt, overflow car parks, and adjacent service bays. The live map pinpoints the fob to within 150 metres accuracy, so staff walk directly to the location rather than searching row by row.
250m Forecourt Coverage
GPS active across your full site — from the front forecourt to the back compound and service bays.
Ping & Beep
Tap Ping in the app and the fob emits a loud audible alert. Hear it before you even see it on the map.
Live Map — 150m Accuracy
The app shows a live position pin on the map. Walk straight to the key — no more searching the whole forecourt.
Any Device, Anywhere
Works from the DealerGate iOS or Android app. Any staff member with app access can ping and locate.
AB23 XYZ — Ford Focus
Key last seen: 2 mins ago
How GPS Key Tracking Works
Attach the Fob
Clip a DealerGate GPS fob to the key ring when the vehicle enters your stock. It registers automatically against the vehicle record.
Key Goes Missing
A test driver returns the car but not the key. A staff member can't locate it. Open the DealerGate app and find the vehicle.
Tap Ping
Tap the Ping button. The GPS fob emits a loud audible beep. The app simultaneously shows its live position on a map — accurate to 150 metres.
Key Found
Walk to the pin, listen for the beep, retrieve the key in under 60 seconds. The recovery is logged automatically to the audit trail.
Why Forecourt GPS Tracking Matters
A single lost main key for a modern vehicle can cost £300–£2,000 to replace, plus the downtime while the car sits unsellable. For high-volume forecourts handling 20–100+ vehicles, untracked keys are a constant drain on time, money, and customer trust.
DealerGate's GPS key tracking eliminates that. Every key is accounted for. Every movement is audited. And if one ever goes missing, you'll find it in under a minute — not under the seat of a car three rows back.
Ready to take control of your keys?
Get Started with DealerGateFrequently asked questions
What is smart key management for car dealers?
Smart key management is a digital system that tracks every key set in a dealership — from stock arrival to customer handover — replacing paper key books with a real-time, audited digital log.
Can I track who has each key?
Yes — DealerGate's smart key management lets you assign keys to staff, customers or service and see a time-stamped audit of every movement.
Does it support NFC and QR tags?
Yes, DealerGate supports NFC and QR tag scanning so you can attach physical tags to key sets and scan them in and out via the phone app.
Can I track where a key is on my forecourt using GPS?
Yes — DealerGate's GPS key tracking covers your entire forecourt within a 250-metre radius. Open the DealerGate app, select a key fob, and tap Ping. The fob emits an audible beep and its real-time position appears on a live map accurate to within 150 metres, letting staff walk straight to the key rather than searching the forecourt.
How does the ping-to-locate feature work?
From the DealerGate app, select the vehicle's key record and tap Ping. The GPS fob attached to the key set receives the signal and emits a loud audible beep. Simultaneously, the app displays the fob's live coordinates on a map. You can hear the beep as you approach, and the map pin confirms you're in the right area — key recovery typically takes under 60 seconds.