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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed about our car keys

39 replies

busymum1 · 14/08/2008 18:41

We bought our ford galaxy 15mth ago it only had one key and we did not think anything of it. My dp lost the key last week and we now have to pay £510 to have new keys plus get the car towed to the garage. We have tried loads of mechanics and locksmiths and some say there is a keycode in the car or under the bonnet etc and others say there is not I am about to take my driving test so need the car to practise and don't know what to believe but we just don't have that sort of money apparently our car is modelled on a volkswagen sharran but volkswagen can't help either

OP posts:
frazzledbutcalm · 14/08/2008 18:44

We have a ford galaxy, ours came with original central locking fob and spare ordinary key. Dh keeps telling me if we lose keys we are in big trouble as its v expensive to replace. He also says somethin about keycode but i switch off really . I think that price could be right.

FourArms · 14/08/2008 18:45

We had to pay around the £200 mark to get new keys for our Renault Laguna after they slowly broke (note to self, do not let 2 yr old play with them ever again). I think most car keys are security coded etc these days so you're trapped with using the dealer to help with new keys.

nancy75 · 14/08/2008 18:46

my brother says lots of cars have coded or chipped keys, and they have to put the new key in the car and programme it , so not as easy as just getting new one cut.

nappyaddict · 14/08/2008 18:46

yep i lost mine and have to fork out £140 for a new one which i cannot afford at the minute. someone has something to me about a key code being in the service book but we bought it second hand and never got given a service book.

Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 18:48

same here key code in owners manual but apparently is not the key code think it must be for the radio or something

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 14/08/2008 18:51

btw is it not covered on your car insurance? mine is but the excess is £150 so not worth it.

Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 18:55

no nor house insurance don't understand why £150 would be better than £510

OP posts:
Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 18:55

no nor house insurance don't understand why £150 would be better than £510

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 14/08/2008 18:58

might there be something on the vehicle identification sticker thingy? we have on by the driver's door. i think it's called the right-hand central pillar.

Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 19:16

bump

OP posts:
Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 19:17

anyone?

OP posts:
staranise · 14/08/2008 19:17

you poor thing! check on eBay etc or the internet in general - you can often get ordinary ones that don't do central locking but are much much cheaper and would do in the short term. £500+ sounds expensive, we were quoted £200-300 for our Renault Scenic.

nappyaddict · 14/08/2008 19:26

staranise - i have a renault scenic too. it was just by googling that i found out about the vehicle identification sticker thingy. is there not a code on there that could help me.

TheHedgeWitch · 14/08/2008 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 19:41

code is not for key anyone else got any ideas please?

OP posts:
Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 21:09

bump

OP posts:
staranise · 14/08/2008 21:28

Our code is in the book I think though we were also told that it's on the wondow I think as well. TBH, i'm not very sure as we haven't followed it up yet - jsut hope we don't lose our one car key again... (last time it got handed into the police thank goodness!). Sorry not to be of more help...

itsMYmummy · 14/08/2008 21:40

Exactly the same thing happened to my DH last month. We went to a Vauxhall dealership and they quoted us an astronomical amount plus around £150 min to tow the car about 1 mile to the dealership. In the end we found a company of autolocksmiths who come to your address, supply a new key and reprogramme your car to accept the key. They do need a security code which we found within our owners manual, if you can't locate this then they will have to apply to volkswagen for this, and i'm not sure if there is an extra charge. We were charged £190 inc VAT for this service, and I was notified by the dealership that this kind of service does'nt exist!

Original poster
busymum1 · 14/08/2008 22:07

bump

OP posts:
NotAnOtter · 14/08/2008 22:09

same happened us lost 2 vw keys £300 later

pgwithnumber3 · 14/08/2008 22:21

Is this a quote from Ford for £510 busymum?

DH is a car engineer and has knowledge of lost keys etc but has NEVER heard of a quote for £510.

He is racking his brains as to what you can do.

pgwithnumber3 · 14/08/2008 22:22

Have you looked for the keycode in any of the places the mechanics/locksmiths have mentioned? Is it the newer model Galaxy?

desperatehousewifetoo · 14/08/2008 22:32

Is this any help? Have just searched auto locksmiths.

here

redclover79 · 14/08/2008 22:58

dp is a ford tech, at his dealership they charge £80 plus vat to program the keys but you'd need to buy them first, he reckons £150 inc keys. You have to go via a dealership as they have to request a new code from the module on the car (basically plug a computer into your car). Could you borrow a car to practice for your test?

nappyaddict · 15/08/2008 02:19

doh i never thought of checking with the police.... do you think it's too late now? lost it in march!!