Tracking down the spare key of a used car

ratrace

GabbaGabbaHey wrote: »

BT do still offer Directory Enquiries, you know (both online and by phone).

If the OP is worried about the previous owner knowing where the car is now kept, he could always write to them using a friend's address for the reply.

My last car was bought from a Lexus main dealer. It had a replacement service history book. I wrote to the previous owners, and they sent me the original service history book, along with a load of old receipts, etc, so it was well worth my while writing.

People have the right to opt out, you know

harveybobbles

OddballJamie wrote: »

Not heard of that before. Is that a practice performed by the 'we'll sell you a car even if you have bad credit' type companies?

Yes. Some of the folk we used to deal with were in this category.

Car would be reg'd in customers name, c/o finance company. We had to send spare key to finance companhy before they would pay us.

GJ_WRX

I bought a car with one key a few months ago, peugeot want £180ish for a replacement ( key itself, cut and programmed for immobiliser and remote locking). This seems a bit steep to me for something that willesit in s drawer. However have found that a high street key cutter can cut one and programme it to work with the immobiliser for about £50. The only downside is it won't unlock the doors with a remote, but as its a spare that's fine with me.

I can't remember the name off the shop but it was a fairly standard chain that you find attached to most sl big supermarkets.

SimonSays

Richard53 wrote: »

(ETA: if you don't get lucky with the PO, get a second key cut in any case. There are usually ways of doing it that don't involve main dealer prices. It's far easier (and cheaper) to get a new key cut if you have an original, than if you wait until you lose the only key and then have to approach the manufacturers for help. On my Honda, a lost key meant a new lockset and ECU, total cost about £800 plus fitting, and that's a motorbike without door locks etc to worry about.)

If you think thats bad just wait till the H.I.S.S. 3 comes about. That takes things to a whole new level of dealer prices!

Although (having worked in Motorbike insurance) some people did say you could put an off road ECU and lockset in and it worked and you can pick them up for £150 if you look hard enough.

united4ever

GJ_WRX wrote: »

I bought a car with one key a few months ago, peugeot want £180ish for a replacement ( key itself, cut and programmed for immobiliser and remote locking). This seems a bit steep to me for something that willesit in s drawer. However have found that a high street key cutter can cut one and programme it to work with the immobiliser for about £50. The only downside is it won't unlock the doors with a remote, but as its a spare that's fine with me.

I can't remember the name off the shop but it was a fairly standard chain that you find attached to most sl big supermarkets.

this route sounds agreeable for me. Will give toyota a call first just to see what they ask for price wise though. Thanks though

arcon5

LOL some people don't half overreact!

jacko74

If you're still wanting to go down the route of writing to the previous owner why not just provide them with an alternative address for yourself? A friend or relative.

vikingaero

forgotmyname wrote: »

NEVER buy a modern car without the full set of keys.

A dealer may charge £100+ BUT... They can erase the codes for the missing keys. So they maybe able to gain entry to the car via the lock but wont be able to start it.

Agree with this so much.

I bought a Mitsubishi from a used car dealer with only one key. The cost to get a new key was £220, £40 for programming, and the cost of 2 trips to the dealer - one to order the key with V5C, driving licence and other proofs, and another trip to get the key programmed. This wiped out most of my savings on what I thought was a cheap car.

Also there is something to be said for owners who lose keys. What else have they lost/forgotten or skimped on?