- 8 The Old Mill Norwich Road, Hoveton, Norwich, England, NR12 8DA
- info@phoenixcarkeys.co.uk
- 03330065210
Phoenix Car Keys Ltd, Company number: 15609407, Registered in England
Anyone can find themselves in the situation of losing their car key.
It’s convenient if you have a spare key and the car is parked at home. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes you may need to call a tow truck and then search for specialists to make a new key.
A standard ignition key for an older domestic car can be made quickly at most workshops and costs about £10–15.
If you need a duplicate for a modern car with a chip, it will be considerably more expensive. These keys are equipped with chips that work with the car’s immobiliser, preventing the engine from starting without the correct key.
Some car owners, without considering the consequences, remove the chip from the original key and attach it near the ignition switch. This is a serious mistake, rendering the car’s anti-theft features useless. A thief would only need a basic master key to start the engine and drive away.
Modern immobilisers cannot be bypassed so easily. Even creating a complete duplicate key isn’t always straightforward. It depends on the specifics of the immobiliser system and the security measures implemented by the car manufacturer.
The process of “binding” a car key to its electronic system involves technical complexities. It’s a job only a qualified specialist with the right equipment can handle properly. As a result, you’ll likely need to turn to a dealership or a specialist locksmith, both of which can be costly.
As mentioned earlier, the process of making a duplicate key includes cutting the key, selecting the correct chip, and programming it to work with your car’s electronic system. Let’s consider the costs using a VAG model as an example:
The more advanced and secure the key, the higher the cost.
There is a temptation to order a key from websites like AliExpress. However, this is a risky choice. Saving money might mean receiving a product of questionable quality, which could lead to additional problems (we already wrote about the possible consequences in this article).
If you’ve lost both your main and spare keys, the process becomes even more challenging and expensive.
If both keys are lost, cutting a new car key blade will require accessing the lock cylinder directly. This means you’ll need to either bring specialists to your car’s location or tow the vehicle to their workshop. Removing the lock and associated electronic units yourself is nearly impossible. Some dealerships can create a duplicate using your car’s VIN number, but this process is often lengthy, complicated, and costly.
Programming a new key is also more complex when the original chip is missing. It requires advanced knowledge and specialised equipment, contributing to the higher cost. Additionally, different manufacturers implement unique security measures, which may add further challenges.
Car owners often worry about security when a key is lost. Intruders who find your lost keys could attempt to use them. To address this risk, you may need to replace the door and ignition lock cylinders, which is an additional expense.
If you’ve lost your car key, the best solution is to contact Phoenix Car Keys.
Our team consists of highly qualified specialists who can solve any car key issue anywhere in the UK.
Here are just a few reasons to choose our services:
For more information, call our 24-hour hotline at 03330065210, or fill out the callback form on our website. We’ll contact you within one minute and help you regain access to your car as quickly as possible!