Replacing lost car keys and key fobs

Traditional metal car keys were once reasonably simple and inexpensive to replace but replacing the electronic key fobs of modern cars can be much more complex and costly.

When new, a vehicle typically comes with two master keys or key fobs. An older-style car remote has a physical key which can open the doors, boot, and start the engine even if the remote is damaged or its battery is flat.

These sometimes have the remote mounted on the end of the key itself, or as a separate fob which is kept with the key. These are the least expensive electronic keys to replace.

If you have a vehicle with push-button or keyless ignition, you won’t need the metal key every day, and therefore the key is often hidden inside the fob. The metal key is there for situations such as when the remote’s battery goes flat or fails for some other reason.

A further advancement is proximity keys, which can open the doors and boot when a person touches the door handle or boot button while keeping the key fob in their pocket.

With any electronic keys, if you lose one, generally a new key can be cloned from the spare. This can be done by the manufacturer dealership or an automotive locksmith – shop around to get the best deal.

But bear in mind that while an automotive locksmith will probably be cheaper, their replacement key is likely to be an aftermarket item rather than a genuine part from the manufacturer.

If both keys are lost, your car’s computer system will need to be reprogrammed and this can be expensive, depending on the vehicle make and model.