Lost car key – big bill! What motorists need to know

Losing your car keys is a stressful experience, but it can also be a very expensive one. Modern car keys are no longer just simple pieces of metal; they are sophisticated electronic devices that often require professional programming to work with your vehicle’s security system.

Most people are shocked when they discover a replacement key could cost thousands of Rands and, if you don’t have a spare, keep you grounded for a day or two. The cost of a single replacement key can range significantly, and the price for keys for an exotic car can be even higher.

While the cost of a single replacement key is high, if you lose all the keys to your car, the costs and time off the road will increase significantly, particularly if the car’s computer has to be reset or completely replaced to match the new replacement keys.

Don’t ever have just one key. If you’re buying a car, be sure to ask about the keys before you sign on the dotted line.

Accredited independent aftermarket workshops offer a legitimate alternative service to cut and recode modern car keys for most car models at a very competitive cost. Some workshops even carry diagnostic tools that can help reset the car’s computer if both keys are lost.