A car key fob is several parts in one case: the remote that locks and unlocks the doors, the transponder chip that lets the engine start, and on most fobs a metal blade, either fixed, flip-out or hidden inside as an emergency key. Replacing a fob means supplying one that matches your car, cutting the blade, and programming both the chip and the remote. If your fob still exists and has simply stopped working, find out first whether it needs replacing at all, because a battery or a new case is a fraction of the price.
Does the fob need replacing, or repairing?
| What you notice | Likely cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| The range shrinks, then the buttons stop | Flat battery | A new battery, a few minutes |
| Case cracked, or the blade wobbles | Worn or broken shell | A new case, with the electronics moved across |
| Buttons worn through or not clicking | Worn button pad | A new case or button pad |
| Stopped working after getting wet | Water damage to the circuit board | Often a new fob |
| Buttons work, the car will not start | Chip not recognised by the immobiliser | Pairing again, or a new key |
| Fob lost or stolen | Nothing left to repair | A new fob, with the lost one deleted from the car |
A battery or a case is the cheapest outcome, and we cover both: see car key battery replacement and car key repair. If the fob is lost, damaged beyond repair, or you want a second one, it needs replacing.
How is a replacement fob made and programmed?
- You give us the registration, or the make, model and year. From those we work out the fob your car takes, including its chip and radio frequency.
- We confirm you are the keeper, with photo ID and the V5C logbook, before any key is cut.
- At the car, the blade is cut to your locks, from your existing key or to code.
- The new fob’s chip is programmed so the immobiliser accepts it, and the remote is paired to the central locking.
- If a fob has been lost or stolen, it is removed from the car’s memory so it can no longer start the engine.
- Every key is tested on the locks and the ignition before we leave.
On most cars that is one visit, usually within the hour at the vehicle. Keyless smart fobs and cars with no working key take a little longer. The key cutting times guide has the detail.
What does a replacement fob cost?
The price depends on the fob your car takes, the make, and whether you still have a working key. A spare added alongside a working fob is the least expensive. A fob for a car with no working key costs more, because the car has to be read from scratch and the lost fob deleted. Keyless smart fobs cost more than remote keys, and premium makes more than mainstream ones.
Our spare keys start from £90 and all-keys-lost jobs from £150, both including VAT, and we quote one all-in price for your car on the phone. Land Rover and Range Rover keys are priced separately, from £192 for a remote key and £300 for a smart key, rising to £780 for smart keys on vehicles from 2018 onwards. The car key replacement cost guide explains the rest of what sets a price.
Should you buy a fob online?
A fob sold online can look identical to yours and still be wrong inside. The chip, the radio frequency and the button layout all have to match the car, and many second-hand fobs are locked to the car they came from. Ask before you buy: with the details of the fob, we can usually tell you whether it will programme to your car. A fob you supply is not covered by our warranty, while fobs we supply and programme carry a three-month warranty. For the full picture, read can you reprogram a used car key?
Dealer or mobile locksmith?
A dealer orders a fob against your vehicle identification number and codes it when you bring the car in. It works, and for a model too new for independent equipment it may be the only route. For most cars a mobile auto locksmith is quicker, because the fob is supplied, cut and programmed at the car on one visit.
One customer needed a backup fob for a Toyota Corolla. In their Google review they wrote that the dealers “said up to 2 weeks to get from factory”. We came out the same day and programmed the new fob at their home.
Why keep a spare fob?
If you are down to one fob, a spare costs less now than it ever will later. It is added while the car still has a working key, which is quicker than starting from nothing, and it saves an all-keys-lost visit if the last one disappears. Keyless cars are also a target for relay theft, where the signal from a fob inside the house is used to open and start the car. Keep fobs away from the front door, and while we are with you, ask about the Autowatch Ghost immobiliser. There is more in how to stop keyless car theft.
Need a fob today? See key fob replacement, smart key replacement and spare car keys, or call 0333 772 1846.