Feeling devestated over quote for new car key

[PinkPeonies22]

I managed to lose the electronic key for our mitsubishi car. A combination of sleep deprivation, work stress, and juggling with my toddler in tow. I have looked everywhere and checked various lost property offices. Anyway, I phoned up an approved dealer and they said it would be £500. I am staggered and just cannot believe it. Got a couple more quotes and they are the same. The actual key bit apparently is only £30,the rest is the electronic fob, pairing with the car, and VAT. i wish we could just get the metal key but car needs the electronic bit to work. I cant sleep and just cant cope with the thought of spending that much money on a car key.
Is this the normal cost nowadays? How do people manage?

I had to get a new key maybe 10 years ago and it cost £400 then. A painful experience

I got one from a non approved dealer for £20 but my car is much older - might be worth doing if possible while you see if key turns up? And also - too late now but I have AirTag on it now…

You always get two keys with a car. Where is the other one?

My late Ddad had to buy a replacement some 20yrs ago, cost him £1k!😲

Vehicle went in for service and he gave them both keys, the "everyday" key and the red "master" key.
Upon collection they denied ever having the red key (said they would not have asked for it) and if he wanted a replacement (which of course he did as it was required) he would have to buy a new one and have it programmed.

Of course they were lying but he was not one to make a fuss so had no choice.
He never did that again.😖

Double check whether you have key cover on your car insurance, house insurance or breakdown cover policy.

That is fairly standard these days but do call your insurance and check if you have key cover.

Yes check your insurance as it may cover you for keys

We had 2 new keys for our Kia last year and a local firm came out and did them for about £400

Unfortunately car keys are very expensive.

It's worth ringing around and getting some quotes, but it'll be a few hundred wherever you go.

Really sorry :(

Have you looked to see if there is a car locksmith in your area. They tend to be cheaper.

Check your car insurance. Some policy have replacement key cover. Also learnt the hard way £500 for Land Rover key !

Have you tried the mobile key fitters who come out to your house?
Takes them about half an hour at your car.

I found it a much cheaper option, a couple of hundred I think? Or maybe less.
It was about 10 years ago though

Sounds about right OP - my casing was falling apart and I spoke to the chap in Timpsons who said £450 if the inside needs replacing.

You can buy a key fob on eBay. As you mentioned, key fobs cost a maximum of £50, and you can find someone on eBay, Gumtree, or the internet who can program it to your car for around £100.

Were you home when you realized it was gone? Because my car would not unlock or let me start it without the fob in close area. If you did make it home then it must be somewhere around your home. Before spending that much do another really thorough search around your home, inside and out.

Where are you getting the quotes from? I got mine from a key cutting place, rather than a motor garage. I was still shocked at the price TBH, but it was c. £140

There will be cheaper option. look on facebook for local car key guys. On youtube theres a guy called Access Denied who is awesome if youre in Essex/Herts.

Yes if the car is at home then the key must be too? Have you looked everywhere a toddler could shove a key? I found mine in a spare plant pot in a cupboard once!

Check,your AA cover. Mine includes Key replacement

£500 would likely be an ECU out and sent away job cos normal car keys wouldnt cost that much to reprogram. Maybe the Mitsubishi is partiularly complex or they're taking the proverbial.

Maybe try Clickmechanic - I've found they have some very technically skilled people working for them.

Yep this is the problem with cars now, anything on them cost so much more to repair or replace

Have a look on FB OP for a group or page related to your car type.
Ask the question on there.
You will find expert advice from lots of knowledgeable helpful sources.

(would advise the sme for any vehicle owner actually)

We are getting an electronic car key from Timpsons for half the price after being quoted £500 from the registered dealer. It takes a few weeks to arrive however which is maybe too long a wait for you.

Watching as I somehow lost one of my keys. Was also quoted £500 (by a few places) to replace and it wasn't covered on my insurance.