Call three different people who had to replace their car key and chances are you'll get three entirely different prices. This difference is not accidental. Several factors determine how expensive it's going to be, and being aware of them can help you evaluate any quote before accepting. See our car key replacement service. You can also read our spare key guide.
This is the most important factor. A conventional metallic key that opens an older model of a car is cheap to cut. The cost of the chip key will be higher since the key needs coding to the car. A laser cut key is done using some special tools, and the push to start key comes last in the hierarchy due to the high cost of the fob.
If you can give us a key that can be used, then the process of copying will be easier and cheap. In case all your keys are missing, we shall need to code the car and the job becomes harder and more expensive. This is the exact reason why you should cut a spare key beforehand.
Most cars produced since the late '90s won't start until the immobilizer recognizes the key. This process of coding differs significantly among various manufacturers and the more complicated it is, the higher the overall price will be.
More recent models, especially luxury cars with emphasis on foreign cars will typically use more advanced key security and this will impact not only the cost of the key but also its programming process. The same applies to cars from the same year, depending on their type the price could differ considerably.
A visit to a dealership will likely cost more money and require booking a slot while a locksmith will visit you right in your garage. Here's a quick guide of locksmith vs dealership when it comes to car key replacement.
Having all the information handy, including year, make and model of the car, presence or absence of a spare key, and the key type in question will ensure that you'll receive an approximate price quote via phone.
Both make keys, but they suit different needs. Compare cost, speed, and convenience to pick the right one.
Read article →A hidden chip separates the two, and it changes everything about how the car starts and what replacement costs.
Read article →Cutting a spare while your original still works is cheap and quick, and turns a future crisis into a simple errand.
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