Missing car keys costing motorists thousands

Some car buyers are having to spend thousands to get their vehicles running when they lose or break their remote car key, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:

“Most modern cars require that you have a remote key, or the car simply won’t start. When car owners lose their only remote, they frequently discover that it will cost between $700 and $4500 to replace the keys and reprogram the car’s security system.”

Matthew-Wilson says that car owners should ensure they have a spare remote key.

“If you have only one remote key and you lose it, you’re in trouble. However, many second hand cars are sold with only one remote because the original spare has been lost or broken.”

“Locksmiths can often make duplicate key remotes for older cars for $100-$250. Dealers may charge up to $700. However, on most late model cars, locksmiths probably won’t be able to duplicate your key remote. Only the dealer can duplicate the original remote, and often at a very high price. Therefore, many owners skip the expense of duplicating their only key, not realising the risk they are taking.”

“The problem is not with the remote itself, but with a tiny computer chip within the remote, called the transponder chip. This chip carries a pin number that must match the pin number within the car’s computer, or the car will not start.”

Matthew-Wilson adds:

“Although these chips are simple and cheap to manufacture, the car companies are often the only supplier and they sell these chips at prices that amount to extortion.”

“Twenty years ago you could take a car key to a locksmith and get a duplicate cut for $10. Those days are long gone. If the car you’re looking at doesn’t come with a spare key remote, our advice is to buy a different vehicle. If the seller tells you that a duplicate key remote will only cost a few dollars to buy, don’t take his word for it: tell him to buy one for you. ”

Certain new cars (notably many Citroens) are supplied new with only one remote key, which annoys Matthew-Wilson.

“Supplying a new car with just one key is simply cost cutting by the carmakers. Sensible owners are then forced to pay hundreds more to get a spare key.”

“Any buyer of a modern car has a right to get two sets of car keys when they purchase their vehicle. Supplying these keys should be the seller’s problem, not the buyer’s.”