How to get a replacement car key without the original — explained

We’ve all misplaced our keys at one point or the other and probably found them lying somewhere in plain view. However, what happens when your car key gets lost, and you can’t find them? In this situation, it can be frustrating and stressful, especially if you have to use your vehicle for something important.

All hope is not lost, though. Getting a replacement car key without the original means you can do a few things to get back on track. Most people are bothered because duplicates can never be the same as an original, or your car key gets misplaced when you are financially constrained.

However, we have put together possible and easy solutions for you to follow in this situation. This article looks at how to get a replacement car key without the original.

How do you get a replacement car key?

Getting a car key replacement might be easy. But, there are a few steps and procedures which you must follow to achieve the desired result speedily. Cars are sensitive properties that can lead one into trouble at any time if one cannot prove ownership of it. Therefore, in the case of a key, which is like access to a car, one has to do certain things before it can be worked on.

One helpful thing to know is how to unlock a car door without a key first if you need access to your car’s interior. Below are some things to know and do to get a replacement car key.

Know the kind of car key you need

The first thing you should do if you find yourself in a situation where you need a car key created is to decide what kind of key you’ll require. Different car models require various car keys, and the year your car was manufactured is often a deciding factor in the car key you require.

In general, vehicles built after 1981 feature more sophisticated technology. A transponder key might need to be made by a locksmith. Your best option is to visit an automobile locksmith or dealer. You could require a smart key if your vehicle is more recent or your original car key was a key fob. For your vehicle to start, you must have access to the key fobs that communicate with the ignition. You must purchase a new fob at your car dealership or an automotive outlet to get one programmed if you need a replacement.

Before contacting a locksmith or dealership, it is critical to ascertain the features of your car key. This is the first action that you must perform to quicken the entire process. Each car has a unique sort of key that it needs to function, and each of these keys is different from the others.

Finding out what kind of car key you have can be done without having the original keys to your vehicle. You need to know whether the key is a transponder, regular key, or car key fob. With the necessary programming, a transponder key would work if cut.

Meet a locksmith

You can replace your lost car key at a locksmith, even if you don’t have the original key. It is also possible to obtain a replacement key from your automobile dealership. These guys will help you since they know what they are doing in situations like this or if the key is stuck in the ignition.

However, you risk paying a lot more than if you had visited an automotive locksmith, but you’ll need some information to make the process easier.

Gather all vital information

Gathering information is at the top of the list of things to do. Once you’ve accepted the fact that your car keys are lost, you’ll need to work on getting replacement keys for your vehicle.

To get a replacement key from a locksmith, you’ll want to have the following documents ready:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Model of the car
• Make of the car
• Model year
• Car registration

This data will assist the locksmith in determining the key your car requires. The dashboard on the driver’s side or door will have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Finding the key that corresponds to your car is made simple with the help of the VIN. However, if you are having a lot of trouble finding the numbers, leave it in the care of professionals.

You’ll require this information to prove your ownership of the vehicle. The locksmith must confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the vehicle before they can begin.

How can I get a key made from my VIN number?

VIN stands for a Vehicle identification number. You can obtain an exact duplicate of the original key for your car by having a key produced using the VIN. This service uses the unique identification codes on your vehicle to create a brand-new, identical replacement for you. It won’t be a replica if you need another due to loss or damage.

The VIN is a unique number that lets you know more about your vehicle. Usually very helpful in a theft case. To precise track who produced each vehicle, when it was made, and who registered it, each one needs a unique 17-character identification code.

However, a number of factors will affect whether you may have a key created from the VIN of your vehicle. The difference between transponder and non-transponder car keys is one major factor. Transponders need to be programmed into the car via an electrical device. 

Non-transponder keys cannot be programmed, but they still operate mechanically to start your car.

When locks are made for the vehicle by the manufacturer, a unique code is saved with the vehicle identification number designated for each key cut. These codes are gotten and entered into the computer, which has the unique key cutter feature, and it cuts the key to match. The security information will then be programmed into your vehicle using additional equipment, enabling the key to only start your unique vehicle. The dealer can perform this, but it can take a few days, and you’ll need to tow your car there.

How much does it cost to replace a car key?

There’s no denying that modern keys are expensive. Depending on the type of key you have and where you go to get the key replaced, the cost of replacing a car key can range from $50 to $600. Basic keys will be the cheapest to replace, but keyless entry remotes can be quite expensive, especially if your car is a luxury model.

Other things can also determine how much you will spend to get a replacement car key. They include:

• Whether you have a working key
• Year, make & model of vehicle
• Where is the vehicle located?
• Type of car key or key fob

The replacement cost may be greater if you lose your keys and are in a remote area. This is because a locksmith may need to bring the necessary tools to your location, or you may need to tow your vehicle to the dealer, requiring them to raise their service fee for traveling outside their service region.

A key made using your VIN may be covered by your insurance provider and could cost about $30 more than a regular replacement. However, you can also have to spend extra if you do not have any insurance coverage.

Our take

For a replacement car key, prices vary depending on whether you choose an automotive locksmith or your local dealership. It also varies depending on whether you need a new fob programmed or just a regular metal key, and all of these rely on the model of your automobile.

We’ve all misplaced our keys at some point, but you don’t have to panic. You can still get a replacement car key even if you don’t have the original one from your local car dealer or an automotive locksmith.

To avoid this stress, however, we suggest you be extremely careful and take good care of your vehicle keys.