A long-standing team of auto locksmiths and vehicle security specialists, Eydens, have shared insights into recent reports examining the uplifts in the costs drivers are asked to pay when requesting replacement sets of keys from the original showroom or dealership they bought their vehicles from.
Eydens Auto Locksmiths, based in Coventry and serving the wider West Midlands region, notes that the average cost of a new key for a Mercedes A-Class has reached a staggering £532 – but that independent locksmiths may be able to offer cost-efficiencies.
Costs of Replacement Car Keys: How Average Pricing Has Changed
Reports looking into consumer concerns about spiking prices have found that charges for spare sets of keys have grown considerably in recent years. When incorporating labour and VAT, fees can reach several hundred pounds.
Many motorists only realise this when they have lost a key or damaged their door and feel forced to pay the charge to regain access to their vehicle. Average pricing collated last year shows that:
New keys for a Volkswagen Polo are just under £300, compared to slightly over £300 for a BMW 3 Series, a Ford Puma or Fiesta, and a Nissan Qashqai.
A set of keys for a Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Superb is over £350.
Replacement keys for a Kia Sportage or Toyota Yaris are around the £400 - £450 price range, whereas a Mercedes tops the price lists at over £500.
Company owner Rob Eyden, says that ‘A huge aspect of these pricing changes is down to the technology manufacturers are incorporating into their keys. It's now common for newer models to be sold with key fobs and transponders which feature complex chips – and therefore cost much more to replace than their analogue counterparts.
Likewise, some marques have model-specific keys, rather than one universal type of key for all vehicles of a similar type. That necessitates custom coding to each vehicle, which takes much longer than it would to produce a new key for another car.
However, we also know that, in many cases, we can offer our customers the most competitive prices possible, and many are relieved to discover that the replacement key costs quoted by a dealership are much higher than those available through an independent auto locksmith.’
Comparing Independent Auto Locksmith and Showroom Pricing for Spare Keys
Independent auto locksmiths set their own prices, based on the time taken to create or program new keys, the distance to a callout, and whether the driver needs an emergency visit to get them back on the road. However, anecdotal data also shows that pricing can be at least 10% cheaper.
Rob explains that ‘This is all down to the specifics of the customer’s requirements, but having an expert, accredited locksmith with a full range of specialist equipment and diagnostic tools can mean the job is significantly quicker, which affects the quoted price.
Showrooms may stock replacement keys for the specific marques or models they sell. Still, few have expert auto locksmiths within their teams, which can mean ordering in parts directly from the manufacturer or outsourcing key cutting and programming to a third party.
These factors all push the price up but make a real difference for the one in 20 drivers who, according to the RAC, have had to buy a replacement key at some point.
If you have time on your side and want, for instance, a spare set to share with another driver, it could be well worth shopping around, because franchises tend to charge the highest costs, followed by mixed dealerships and showrooms and then by independent locksmiths.’
Reviewing the Most Cost-Efficient Ways to Replace Lost Car Keys
Eydens provides pricing transparency with all its services, and encourages drivers concerned about replacement key quotations or affordability when replacing lost or stolen keys to visit its obligation-free tool, available via the company’s website.
Motorists can enter their registration, select the service they need, such as being locked out of their vehicle, and then provide their contact details for one of the Eydens team to get in touch.
Rob says, ‘We'll always respond as quickly as we can, but if you need an emergency spare, it's best to give us a call, as we can refer you to our on-the-road teams who can get to you faster. Our quotes don't carry any obligation, but we are conscious that in almost every case your new keys will cost a fraction of what you'd pay at a dealership.’
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About Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security
Eydens Auto Locksmiths have over 20 years of experience and are members of both the MLA and the ALA, providing auto lock and key services to motorists in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick.
Media Contact
Rob Eyden
024 7699 7703
Published by: Steve OBrien