Best - reliable commensurate with cost - place to get a spare remote key made?

1stTimer

I’ve just had to order a replacement key from SEAT, £279 up front to order and then £190 to code it to the car

ButterCheese

I had one done for my VW Passat a couple years ago.  I used a local indpeendent auto locksmith.  They charged £140 including the new gob.  It took them 1.5 hours to code the new fob to the car as they were waiting on the server.  I thought that was very good value

WIAWSNB

Getting quotes from key services, and also the local Hyundai dealer.

Q - how does a 'manual' key work? I understand it getting into the car, but doesn't the car need to have a transponder nearby before it fires up? 

sheramber

Effician said:

Had a fob + 2x emergency keys cut , supplied & programmed for a 2014 passat at a local remote key specialist last year for £140. 

All locksmiths came back saying they couldn't do it, only a dealer.

WIAWSNB

Local Hyundai dealer - £560. Local key fellow with a genuine Hyundai key and home service - £250.
Decisions, decisions...

ohreallƳ

VAG - new key from TPS £270, ODIS to remove the old key and program in the new one ~ £80 /£90 or go to dealer and double that.

flaneurs_lobster

Dumb question - why is this so expensive? It's copying a reasonably complicated physical key (£20?) and some ROM coding. 

Where is the additional cost coming from? The Keepers of The Code? 

Is there some deliberate cost loading here as a discouragement to casual/criminal duplication?

WIAWSNB

Local key cove just left - 30 minutes, new, identical, remote key all cut and set up - £250.