VW Key Fob not working. Cost of replacement is ridiculous.

JBeaC

I have a 2016 VW Polo both key fobs that came with the car now don't work. Each has lasted approx 3- 3 1/2 years. I replaced both batteries and had the new and old batteries checked - none are faulty and have power. The key fobs don't respond, the red light doesn't flash at all so it would seem they are faulty? I am happy to use the keys manually its not a problem for me but when I unlock the door and open it the alarm goes off until I turn on the ignition which is very noisy.

For each key fob I've been quoted £115 + VAT by VW dealership to diagnose the problem and a the cost of a new key fob or repair which they wouldn't disclose. A helpful locksmith has offered to try to fix one key fob for £95 and has been quoted £420 + VAT for the cost of a new programmed key fob from the manufactures. It's looking like this could potentially cost £5-600 for each key fob. 

I feel held at ransom to have to replace them when the ones I have work fine manually but trigger the alarm each time. Am I expected to pay this much every 3 -3 1/2 years? Is this the life span of a key fob?  I've resigned myself to wake my neighbours up at 7.15 every morning as I leave for work which isn't a good advert for VW. I just don't understand why this is so complicated and expensive?

Keep_pedalling

You could try these guys who charge £60 to repair a key fob, but charge nothing if they can’t fix it. 

https://www.remotekeyrepairs.com/product/volkswagen-remote-key-fob-repair-service/

prowla

Are you in the AA or RAC?
Key replacement may be part of your service.

SaverRate

Seems strange the VW garage want a diagnostic fee + key replacement cost?

Why dont they just charge a key replacement cost?

When I brought an Audi with just 1 key the Audi dealership just quoted a new key cost and even waived the cost to programme it to the car. 

sheramber

JBeaC said:

I have a 2016 VW Polo both key fobs that came with the car now don't work. Each has lasted approx 3- 3 1/2 years. I replaced both batteries and had the new and old batteries checked - none are faulty and have power. The key fobs don't respond, the red light doesn't flash at all so it would seem they are faulty? I am happy to use the keys manually its not a problem for me but when I unlock the door and open it the alarm goes off until I turn on the ignition which is very noisy.

For each key fob I've been quoted £115 + VAT by VW dealership to diagnose the problem and a the cost of a new key fob or repair which they wouldn't disclose. A helpful locksmith has offered to try to fix one key fob for £95 and has been quoted £420 + VAT for the cost of a new programmed key fob from the manufactures. It's looking like this could potentially cost £5-600 for each key fob. 

I feel held at ransom to have to replace them when the ones I have work fine manually but trigger the alarm each time. Am I expected to pay this much every 3 -3 1/2 years? Is this the life span of a key fob?  I've resigned myself to wake my neighbours up at 7.15 every morning as I leave for work which isn't a good advert for VW. I just don't understand why this is so complicated and expensive?

Have you tried this

https://www.vwpolo.net/synchronising_the_vehicle_key-48.html

400ixl

SaverRate said:

When I brought an Audi with just 1 key the Audi dealership just quoted a new key cost and even waived the cost to programme it to the car. 

Likely because for some years now all VAG keys are coded at the centre prior to the dealer getting it. Essentially they come coded to the car and have done for cars registered for quite a few years now.

I assume the battery has been put in the right way up? Seems odd from the description of the way in which they have stopped working. Typically modern remotes don't fail that often, so to have two fail is very unusual.

SaverRate

400ixl said:

SaverRate said:

When I brought an Audi with just 1 key the Audi dealership just quoted a new key cost and even waived the cost to programme it to the car. 

Likely because for some years now all VAG keys are coded at the centre prior to the dealer getting it. Essentially they come coded to the car and have done for cars registered for quite a few years now.

I assume the battery has been put in the right way up? Seems odd from the description of the way in which they have stopped working. Typically modern remotes don't fail that often, so to have two fail is very unusual.

The dealership coded the key to the vehicle but did this for free. They initially quoted a cost for this but then waived it as a goodwill gesture. 

400ixl

Quite an old Audi then, or they told you porkies.

jimjames

Sounds like it's not the case with your car but had an odd one with my VW this weekend when the unlock button stopped working but locking was fine. Turned out that it was the battery and once replaced all was working fine again.

sheramber

jimjames said:

Sounds like it's not the case with your car but had an odd one with my VW this weekend when the unlock button stopped working but locking was fine. Turned out that it was the battery and once replaced all was working fine again.

I recently had the opposite with my Skoda- unlocked the car and keyless ignition worked but wouldn't lock it. Fortunately, I was visiting my son  who has the spare key, so I was able to  use  his key until I changed the battery.

JBeaC

@400ixl thanks they batteries have been checked. The original one I thought was flat was tested and it still has charge so it doesn’t look like it’s a battery problem