Is it only the brand that can provide replacement keys for my car?

trinidadone

I currently have a Nissan car and looking for a  replacement key. I have started calling the local Nissan dealers and I have been quoted £234 and £263, which seems a lot for a car over ten years. I have been told this is because of the labour time. Is it only Nissan who can issue keys or are there other companies?

Ditzy_Mitzy

It's entirely dependent on the model of car, type of immobiliser and even type of key.  Some designs allow for a replacement key blade to be fitted into the existing electronic housing, others don't.  Please can you confirm the model, year, key type and problem so that someone may advise properly?
I've had issues with keys in the past too and, variously, was able to fix one myself, get another one cut by an independent locksmith and was forced to purchase a replacement for the third from a main dealer, at vast expense.  

trinidadone

Hello Ditzy
Its a Nissan Note 2008, a key is lost. I dont know what kind of immobilizer

AdrianC

You can get the key "cloned" locally.

BUT...

From new, the car recognises key A and key B.
If you lose a key, the dealer can remove key A from the security and code in key C. You have key B and C, the car recognises key B and C. Somebody else has A.
If you go to Timpsons, they will simply copy key B. You have key B and B1, the car recognises key A and B. Somebody else has A.

If you lose another key...
The dealer can remove key B from the security and code in key D. You have C and D, the car recognises C and D. Somebody else has A and B.
Timpsons can copy B1. You have B1 and B2. The car recognises A and B. Somebody else has A and B.

Browntoa

I've paid £90 for a key cut and programmed from a local locksmith . They need to be able to access the car itself to do this . 

On a 2008 car I wouldn't worry about lost keys , the worth of the car is now minimal

Jumblebumble

AdrianC said:

You can get the key "cloned" locally.

BUT...

From new, the car recognises key A and key B.
If you lose a key, the dealer can remove key A from the security and code in key C. You have key B and C, the car recognises key B and C. Somebody else has A.
If you go to Timpsons, they will simply copy key B. You have key B and B1, the car recognises key A and B. Somebody else has A.

If you lose another key...
The dealer can remove key B from the security and code in key D. You have C and D, the car recognises C and D. Somebody else has A and B.
Timpsons can copy B1. You have B1 and B2. The car recognises A and B. Somebody else has A and B.

In addition cloned replacement keys do not always work the central locking so beware of this

flashg67

I had a Citroen key made by a mobile key chap at my house for £120 - dealer price was nearly £300. Chances of someone finding your lost key are 'remote' (sorry!) anyway