How many keys should you get with a used car?

ioscorpio

I recently purchased a 2003 Suzuki Ignis 1.3 GL form Bristol Street Motors and it only had one key with it. It does control the central locking, but is not a remote one. I'm not sure if it originally came with a remote key. I queried it with the sales and the service dept, who both shrugged it off as it only came in with one key. Should a main dealer provide 2 keys, even though it's a 7 year old car, but you have paid top dollar for. I have checked with local main Suzuki dealer who was not certain if it originally would have had a remote key, but have been quoted £207 for a remote key and £156 for a standard immobiliser key.

I am going to complain again, but I still have outstanding issues. It went it on Friday to be looked at as there is a vibrating knocking noise when I accelerate above 40 mph, they said they adjusted the tracking, but it's still doing it. I also have query with a small scratch on the paintwork, which service won't touch without the salesman who sold me the car's authorisation. It's like no-one else in the dealership will make a decision. I know it's all do to which dept the costs will be assigned to, but it's a pain in the a***.

Strider590

It's extremely rare to get a spare key when buying second hand, it's even rarer to see the owners card with the radio code printed on it.... (though I suspect stealerships keep these deliberately as a way of making a quick £20-£50)

ioscorpio

Can't see the radio key either. Although on the last car I bought from them, the radio did not work so rather than waiting to get a code they swapped it for another radio from another Punto on the forecourt.

thescouselander

You should get two keys as most cars come with two keys when new. When I have bought second hand cars with only one key in the past I have always negotiated a discount so I could buy a replacement key. Beware that keys for some cars seem to cost an extortionate amount.

TiTheRev

Strider590 wrote: »

It's extremely rare to get a spare key when buying second hand, it's even rarer to see the owners card with the radio code printed on it.... (though I suspect stealerships keep these deliberately as a way of making a quick £20-£50)

Another ridiculous security measure. Radio codes are no longer kept in the handbook, but available FREE from your local dealer if you lose/need it.

TiTheRev

thescouselander wrote: »

You should get two keys as most cars come with two keys when new. When I have bought second hand cars with only one key in the past I have always negotiated a discount so I could buy a replacement key. Beware that keys for some cars seem to cost an extortionate amount.

All cars some with two keys from new.

I'd just get the seller to make sure there was two at point of sale, then it makes no odds how much they cost

thescouselander

TiTheRev wrote: »

All cars some with two keys from new.

I'd just get the seller to make sure there was two at point of sale, then it makes no odds how much they cost

Yes, I agree but I have found some independent dealers don't want to get involved in getting replacement keys therefor I've had to go for the discount. I'd certainly expect two keys from a main dealer though.

harveybobbles

50% of the cars we have outside only have the one key. Most people put them in a safe place and never hand them in when they get rid of the car.

Strider590

TiTheRev wrote: »

Another ridiculous security measure. Radio codes are no longer kept in the handbook, but available FREE from your local dealer if you lose/need it.

Imo there's no need at all for coded radio's anymore, they're all specific fit to that model of car.... Where's the market for stolen radio's if they only fit one car????

harveybobbles

Later Vauxhalls (07 onwards) are coded to the car so you need to divorce the radio from the car for it to be married to another car.

So many cars these days have the radios built into the dash anyway.

pendulum

ioscorpio wrote: »

I also have query with a small scratch on the paintwork, which service won't touch without the salesman who sold me the car's authorisation. It's like no-one else in the dealership will make a decision.

Are you serious? A small scratch ... on a 7 year old car! That's inevitable when buying second hand at that age. Plus, you often don't get two keys when buying second hand, again that's one of the drawbacks of buying used. It sounds like you want a new car for second hand car money.