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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help lost key salary sacrifice

242 replies

Bagladygirl · 02/02/2025 12:14

They company are closed but I'm wondering if anyone has ever come against this before and if they will replace the key
mum panicking as have no money

OP posts:
hopeishere · 02/02/2025 13:23

It's not a company car. It's a personal car.

Yes you'll have to replace it at your own pace n cost.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 02/02/2025 13:26

Of course it will be possible to replace the key, are you really worried you will just be locked out of the car forever!? There will be a cost to replace the key and it is most likely that you will have to pay for this, just as you would if you owned a car and lost a key in any other situation. It will probably cost somewhere between £150-£300 to replace depending on car model and type of key.

BringOnFebBankHoliday · 02/02/2025 13:27

Bagladygirl · 02/02/2025 12:46

It's a lease car on a salary sacrifice scheme so it's a lease to me through the company

Ok, so it's your car?
If I got this right.... your mum lost the key to your car, a car which you are paying for/ leasing through salary sacrifice... is that right? Do you think the lease company should replace the key?
It's your car, so you (or your mum) have to pay for the replacement key. Not sure what else you think should happen? The fact is through a salary sacrifice is immaterial.
Some insurance companies cover key care, to replace keys... do you have this?

NotsosunnyShropshire · 02/02/2025 13:29

You will have to pay to replace it or the company will charge you when you hand it back at the end of the contract. Probably more than the cost of replacement as well.

404ErrorCode · 02/02/2025 13:29

DHs company were going to charge him, but luckily it turned up.

Think it’s luck of the draw, depending on your fleet manager/lease company.

Good luck. Call the none emergency police number and see if it’s been handed in. Also, try on Facebook local groups etc.

anyolddinosaur · 02/02/2025 13:49

Some insurance includes key replacement cover, check if yours does.

RJnomore1 · 02/02/2025 13:56

Do you have another key to use just now? Thst would mean you have time to look for the missing one. And you could leave it to the end of the lease to pay for a replacement.

either way it’s not worth panicking about. I get that sick feeling at another unexpected unplanned expense but it will be ok in the long run I promise.

AlisonDonut · 02/02/2025 13:57

Are you sure you didn't get 2 keys when you got your car delivered?

I2amonlyhereforTheBeer · 02/02/2025 13:58

Sorry, thought you meant a pension or something to do with your earnings going over a certain limit that would result in a 'key salary sacrifice'. But you mean an actual key! A car key. Who knew

Bromptotoo · 02/02/2025 13:58

Assume you've still got one key so you can drive the car. Just make sure you keep it safe!!

Don't panic and do a thorough search of coats, bags, back of chair cushions etc etc.

If you need to replace it your options may vary with make/model. The 'plip' key for our 2013 Berlingo stopped working and I had a new one cut/coded at a while u wait place in Milton Keynes. Others can be done at the key counter in Sainsbo's etc

Not cheap but not absurdly expensive. Can you spread the cost with a credit card?

I also lost one for the OH's car but found it in the pocket of a coat I'd forgotten I'd worn.

Wonderfulstuff · 02/02/2025 13:59

Why would you post a bizarre nonsensical AIBU on MN rather than doing something about solving the problem?

BobnLen · 02/02/2025 14:00

Some car keys are more expensive than others, I would find out the cost first and go from there, it might not be much, You should have a spare anyway

sometimesmovingforwards · 02/02/2025 14:02

Wonderfulstuff · 02/02/2025 13:59

Why would you post a bizarre nonsensical AIBU on MN rather than doing something about solving the problem?

Stop people posting bizarre nonsensical AIBU on MN rather than doing something about solving the problem and you’ll wipe our 80% of the thread traffic 🤣🤣

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 02/02/2025 14:06

Have a last really careful search OP, and it you can't find it, you'll need to tell the company you've lost the key, and ask them what happens next. These things happen and there will be a process. If you can't afford whatever it costs you can ask them to take it from your salary in instalments. Hope it works out OK.

Wonderfulstuff · 02/02/2025 14:09

Haha - I know right but this one just seems extra bizarre.

Although not obvious from the initial post, it would seem the OP has lost their car key. I do this ALL the damn time. Drives me crazy.

Never occurred to me to stop looking for it and post an AIBU though. Although not sure what is unreasonable other than my poor peri bran. My car's not on salary sacrifice though, just PCP. So maybe that's the difference.

Fluffyowl00 · 02/02/2025 14:12

You haven’t lost it on a walk in South Manchester have you? I’ve just found one

Hadjab · 02/02/2025 14:13

For all intents and purposes, the car is yours, which means you are responsible for its upkeep. The choice to replace the key is yours, just like it would be if you bought the car outright with cash. Be aware though that there may be a penalty at the end of your leasing term such as a charge for a replacement key, or they could add the cost of the key to the final balloon payment if you’re considering keeping it, but you need to check your Ts&Cs.

DreamW3aver · 02/02/2025 14:16

Take a deep breath and start a proper search.

When did you last have the key?

devastatedagain · 02/02/2025 14:25

Yes you will have to replace it but you can check if your insurance covers it.

But it's more like £400 than £300 sorry😫

LucilleBlutheWink · 02/02/2025 14:39

This happened to me with last salary sacrifice car. Second key completely lost. Went to local KIA garage, they ordered and coded a new one for me. Cost around £200

MessyNeate · 02/02/2025 14:40

I lost one of my salary sacrifice keys and nothing happened they collected the car and delivered my new car the same day :)

Sherararara · 02/02/2025 14:44

Adulting fail.

C152 · 02/02/2025 15:04

Normally companies with these arrangements have an online benefits portal which list all the benefits and rules. You would also have been given a copy of the lease agreement before you agreed to it. Have a look to see what it says in there about lost keys. I assume they will charge you the cost of a new key. If there is nothing specific about lost keys on the benefits portal, in the lease agreement or FAQs, look on the lease company's website. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to contact either HR (to request they contact the provider on your behalf) or contact the provider directly.

Bumcake · 02/02/2025 15:05

You’ve lost your car key? It happens, might it turn up? Do you have a spare?

I don’t know whose mum is panicking.

Cushioncut · 02/02/2025 15:09

This happened to one of my friends. We searched her flat from top to bottom. It took hours before we eventually gave up. We only found it when I was about to leave and twitched back a curtain to see whether it was raining and there were the keys. She had done exactly the same thing but put her keys down.

Can you retrace your steps? Get somebody to help you look? Could you have actually locked them in the car? Or could your children have moved them? After wasting far too much of my life searching for keys, all car keys now live in the key bowl on the bookcase.