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Mechanics Make Natural Auto Locksmiths:
Southern Auto Locksmiths
» CARS ARE BECOMING MORE complex, and so is auto locksmithing. Darren Dean believes his background in mechanics and diagnostics gave him the perfect foundation for tackling immobiliser systems, control modules, and the challenges of modern vehicle security. From Portsmouth, he’ s built Southern Auto locksmiths on mechanical know-how, training his own team to keep pace with the changing trade.
Growing up in the Garage
I’ ve been around cars for as long as I can remember. My dad had a garage, Dean Auto Services, and when I left school at 16, I went straight in to work with him. I was always in the garage anyway, learning stuff, fixing things, watching how it was done. My dad’ s retired now, but back then he was always at it, and I just picked it up.
I found I was good with diagnostics, with fault finding, working out what the problem was rather than just swapping parts. I liked that side of the trade, not just opening cars, but understanding the electronics and functioning of the whole vehicle.
Setting Out on My Own I always knew I wanted to work for myself, but I knew that I didn’ t want was the hassle of a shop unit or garage. A van suited me better- no rent, no landlords, no building to worry about, just me on the road with the kit I needed.
In 2012, I decided to set up on my own, opening as DD Diagnostics, but it didn’ t really fit with where I wanted to go. I wanted to do more than just diagnostics. I wanted to get into car keys, auto locksmithing, and tie it in with all the old skills I had as a mechanic. It seemed the natural way forward. So, Southern Auto Locksmiths was born.
Selling the Snap-On Toolbox
Starting out wasn’ t easy. The investment was huge. I sold everything I had, even my Snap-on toolbox that I’ d cherished for years. That toolbox meant a lot to me, but I knew if I wanted to make it work, I had to let it go to raise the money.
I put about forty grand into equipment to get going, and to be honest, that was just the beginning. Once you start, it spirals out of control. There’ s always more kit you need, and you can’ t run a proper service without the right stock. It’ s not just about
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DECEMBER 2025
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