The cost of replacing a lost car key

Dinarius · 18-01-2025 01:34PM #1

We lost one of our Honda car keys.

We contacted a main dealer - the one we bought the car from - and paid them €205 plus VAT for the blank key.

We then collected the key and took it to the key cutter recommended by the Honda dealer.

The key cutter told us that if we had come straight to him, the total cost of replacing the key would have been €160. (Replacing the key requires a new blank key, cutting costs and activation via a code. The code is given by the car dealer.)

We still have to take the newly cut key back to Honda to have it activated. That will be another €150.

Total cost of replacing the key will be just shy of €400.

Needless to say, I will be giving this well-known Dublin-based Honda dealer a piece of my mind.

D.

mk7r · 18-01-2025 04:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058389682/the-cost-of-replacing-a-lost-car-key

You cant compare the cost of a genuine Honda key with a Chinese aftermarket key

18-01-2025 05:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070311#Comment_123070311

Yes you can.

jj880 · 18-01-2025 05:10PM

Main dealers are scumbags.

Had the LCD screen fail on my instrument panel behind steering wheel.

Main dealer wanted 800 euro to replace the whole unit then new keys after that.

Ordered the LCD screen from amazon and replaced it myself in 15 minutes. 1 ribbon connection.

40 euro.

Kaybaykwah · 18-01-2025 05:10PM

I’m in Canada, and had my lost key replaced by an independent keyfob maker. It was 120$ vs 400$ +tx.

It works fine. The dealers are spongers.

jj880 · 18-01-2025 05:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070311#Comment_123070311

Funny that's exactly what Ford main dealer said to us about the LCD screen when we rang back to make them justify their price.

Told us we'd be back looking for a "genuine" Ford LCD screen within a year. Must be 2 years ago now.

mk7r · 18-01-2025 05:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070341#Comment_123070341

An aftermarket key will work for sure but they aren't of the same quality as an OEM key so it's not comparing like with like

jj880 · 18-01-2025 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070454#Comment_123070454

OP is down 240 euro with main dealer. Initially you did say cost comparison.

What benefits does a better quality of key give?

Dinarius · 18-01-2025 07:25PM

If it’s just a spare key, which it would have been, there would be no disadvantage, in my view.

Interesting to read that this rip-off culture extends to other car parts.

D.

jj880 · 18-01-2025 08:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070976#Comment_123070976

Maybe you'll be glad you paid the extra if you accidentally hit the main dealer key with a sledge hammer 🤣

Yeah I cant see key quality being worth the 240 euro either but Im always open to hear something I may not have considered...

mk7r · 18-01-2025 09:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070519#Comment_123070519

The dealer keys cost far more than they need to there is no doubt about that but it's a bit like a drill from Lidl Vs a DeWalt or similar, both will drill holes but one will be higher quality and last longer. The buttons tend to wear and break much faster on aftermarket keys.

Are they worth the price? Possibly not but it's not a like for like comparison

18-01-2025 09:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123071438#Comment_123071438

Sorry but thats BS.

jj880 · 18-01-2025 10:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123071438#Comment_123071438

Man dear. Ive seen some tenuous comparisons on here but that's right up there. Key v power tool? I was expecting you to say something about the key material not buttons.

ferg01 · 18-01-2025 11:06PM

You’re pissed off because you didn’t shop around basically? When has a main dealer ever been comparable in cost to Indy places?

Hellrazer · 19-01-2025 12:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058389682/the-cost-of-replacing-a-lost-car-key

Jesus that dealer is really getting stuck into you. The code is free from Honda (for most models - if its a Jap import there is a small charge) and the time to code the key is as quick as turning on a laptop and launching a single program - about 5 minutes from start to finish.

Depending on the model you can actually program it yourself.

To be honest I used to program Honda keys for free if someone bought the blank from me and got it cut themselves. Otherwise if I got it cut it was an extra tenner for cutting.

Id be looking for a few quid back from them.

If you havent went back to the dealer yet I may be able to get you the code and get someone with a diagnostic that can program keys to do it for you.

mk7r · 19-01-2025 01:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123071440#Comment_123071440

I suppose you have experience in the field? It's absolutely true and accurate

Dr Robert · 19-01-2025 02:51AM

Stay away from main dealers if possible.

ebbsy · 19-01-2025 03:34AM

For around €20 I get Keycover with my insurance broker ?

safe electricity · 19-01-2025 07:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058389682/the-cost-of-replacing-a-lost-car-key

Do yiz not have it. On you. Carinsirance ? Key are they call it

Dinarius · 19-01-2025 01:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123071786#Comment_123071786

I didn't know there was an independent route until I started this thread.

D.

Bigus · 19-01-2025 01:53PM

2 new Tesla key cards , made by Tesla Ranger inc immediate call out to house , ……….total cost an unbelievable €36 euro , yes thirty six , fantastic service, they’re totally wiping the floor of the legacy manufacturers.

Del2005 · 19-01-2025 02:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123070976#Comment_123070976

You can't say that it's a rip off culture when one company has to pay for a massive show room, lots of staff (on extremely high pay compared to the rest of the world) and stand over everything they sell while having to charge you an extra 13.5% or 23% v's the other company drop shipping from a wharehouse in China with a warranty that's worthless and declares the package at a tiny fraction of the cost you paid.

amandstu · 19-01-2025 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123072965#Comment_123072965

You have convinced me ,anyway.Yes I do have money to burn.

There is this on the Aviva site (doesn't seem to be included in the policy)

https://www.aviva.ie/blog/driving/lost-car-keys-and-replacement/

The cost of replacing a lost car key

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