What affects the cost of a replacement car key?

Why published averages are close to useless

A replacement key can be a simple part with a coded chip, or a manufacturer-restricted smart key tied to a security platform. Quoting a national average across that range tells you nothing about your car.

We would rather explain what moves the price and then give you the real figure for your vehicle.

The factors that actually matter

• Vehicle make, model and year — the security platform is the single biggest factor.
• Key type — plain transponder, remote key, or smart proximity key.
• Whether a working key still exists, which usually simplifies the procedure.
• Whether the key must be a genuine manufacturer part for that model.
• Manufacturer restrictions on key data, which on some newer vehicles force a dealer route.
• Any extra work involved, such as removing a broken blade or cancelling lost keys.

Keys bought online

A cheap key that cannot be coded to your vehicle is not a saving. Frequency, chip type and key profile all have to match, and on many platforms an incorrect part simply will not program.

If you have already bought one, tell us the details and we will say honestly whether it is usable.

Getting the real number

AccuKey IQ takes your registration, identifies the vehicle and key type, and shows a fixed price on screen. If you go ahead, a small deposit confirms the appointment and the quoted price is the price you pay.