Car Key

[Caran]

Needed another key for our new car. Took only key we had to local locksmith. He tested it and said no code in the remote so he could cut a key for us. He did just a key no remote. Charged £10. Took it back to car, no use, wouldn't open door or start engine. Took it back to locksmith, said he couldn't help further, gave us £5 back. Back to car. Existing key won't open door, only remote does it.
He must have disturbed key on cutting it.
Later OH found a locksmith who offered lots of services. He came and had a look, says the key we have is not an official MG key. He will make one up for us but it's going to cost us £150. It's a dear do but we have to have another key.

[tonyav]

Might be worth contacting the person that OH bought the car from, Caran.
Ask the previous owner if he / she has another keys to your MG Rover.

[Caran]

We bought it from a dealer, they only had the one key tonyav.

[tonyav]

Ah right then, Caran. Has OH shopped around for a replacement key ?.

[Caran]

Yes he has, thats why we are having to go down this route.

[tonyav]

You'll have to bite the bullet then, Caran. Bloody expensive though.

[murraymints]

chipped keys are not cheap !!

[douglas9401]

Cheaper than the ones in perfect condition though, a bit like broken biscuits. :)

[douglas9401]

Seriously though, it's a lot cheaper than getting replacements if you lose your one and only.
Daughter's boyfriend has a Citroen and paid north of £800 for two new keys and programming when he lost his only key. Took a while too.

[Buenchico]

>>> chipped keys are not cheap

What is worrying, Murraymints, is that £150 for a key IS cheap! (At least in comparison to what keys for other makes cost).

I paid £750 for my Saab in October, which only came with one key. As the battery in it seemed to be on the way out, I opened it up to fit a new battery. However the two halves didn't fully click together and, a few days later, when I reached for my keys I realised that I'd only got half a key (and, importantly, not the half which would start the car!). A mad panic ensued and I eventually found the missing half on the ground, not far from my car. (The two halves are now firmly sellotaped together!). That made me check on how much a new key would have cost me, which turned out to be just under FOUR HUNDRED QUID, which was roughly HALF of the cost of the car itself!

I'm taking VERY great care of my keys from now on!!!

[tonyav]

Yes Chris I remember that those Saab keys are a tad delicate.

[SIRandyraven]

When I traded in my Nissan X Trail I handed in two keys to dealer.
I even made a quip about how second key was still in plastic bag that had been in wife's handbag for two years. Anyway three months later dealer calls me and said "Did you hand over two keys ?" .."yes and you signed for them and I took a sneaky picture to prove it of them on your desk"
I said just get a new one cut ...silence and then he said they cost £450 !
What !!!
Anyway I notice the keys are now covered on car insurance.

I remember taking call, I was on a tram in Geneva at the time lol

[Old_Geezer]

It is fractionally less than I paid recently for a new chipped car key, and way way less than the dealer quoted for one.

As an aside I've now found my list keys (were outside enduring the rain and freezing temperatures) but the car key doesn't work. Anyone know if it's likely to be reprogrammable or totally kaput, before I call the guy that supplied the replacement. And what portion of the cost is the actual key as opposed to the coding ?

[Old_Geezer]

...My LOST keys...
Like I typed :-(

[Buenchico]

Have you tried a new battery, O_G?

[Old_Geezer]

Yes. But the original one still had charge anyway.