Free DVLA Check · No Details Needed
Is your BMW's
ECU LOCKED?
BMW and Audi models built from around June 2020 leave the factory with an encrypted ECU.
Most tuners can't touch them. Enter your registration and we'll tell you in seconds —
and if it is locked, we unlock it here, the same day.
We only read the public DVLA record. Nothing is stored and we don't need your contact details.
Common questions
How do I know if my BMW has a locked ECU?
Build date and registration date aren't the same thing, so "it's a 2020" doesn't settle it.
The check above reads the DVLA record for your exact car and tells you straight away. If it lands in the
March–August 2020 window we'll say so rather than guess — that's the period where the build cutoff falls.
Can a locked ECU still be remapped?
Yes. It has to be unlocked first, which is why a lot of places either turn these cars away or
post the ECU off for the best part of a week. We do it here, so your car is unlocked, mapped and back with
you the same day.
How much does unlocking cost?
In-house unlocking is £449 inc VAT, done the same day. There's also a
£399 route where the ECU is sent away, which takes 3–4 working days. Both are on top of the
tuning price, and the exact total for your car is shown before you pay anything.
Is there any risk to my ECU?
It's delicate work and we'd rather be straight with you about it. Our success rate is around
95%, and in the rare case an ECU doesn't survive, we cover the replacement unit and the coding ourselves.
You're covered either way — that's written into our
booking terms.
My car isn't a BMW or Audi — is it locked?
The June 2020 rule is a BMW and Audi thing. Other makes generally aren't affected, though a
handful of newer VAG models are. Run the check anyway and it'll tell you, or
ask us and we'll confirm.
