How Much To Get a Key Made For Your Car: Depending on some factors and the type of key it is, you can get a key made for your car as little as $7 or as much as (and over) $600. That means the cost of getting a key made for your car is not set in stone – many things can affect how low or high car key duplication cost get.
There are some people who never worries about the cost of getting car key duplication because they don’t think a time can ever come when they will need a duplicate key. But for several reasons, it is recommended to have duplicate car keys, and one of them is reducing the probability of getting stuck in a car lockout. But having earlier invested in some duplicate car keys, you will be saved from the hassles that may occur if you find yourself in a lockout scenario.
However, it is also important to understand the differences between getting a duplicate car key, replacing a car key, and cutting an entirely new car key. While you will need to have the copy of the original key at hand to get a duplicate car key, if your key is lost without a spare or got broken, you will need to be talking of getting a key replacement or creating a new key for your car.
In this article are highlighted some factors that might influence the price of getting a duplicate key and what is the likely cost of getting a duplicate of different types of key.
Factors That Determine Car Key Duplication Cost
- Where the duplicate is made
The cost you will be getting your duplicate keys will vary greatly depending on who you meet for your duplication. You can either go to a local hardware store to have it done, or call a locksmith or a car dealership to get your replacement. While the cost of getting the services from these people varies, so also is the quality of work you should expect getting from them. More of this will be explained latter in this article.
- The type of car key
Another factor that will determine how much you pay to get your car key duplicated is the type of car you have. The model of your car will determine what type of car key model you will also get and the type of key blank that will be used for you. Cost varies when you need a duplicate car key made for a really old car model, a luxury car, or a car that comes with extra features that is lacking in most traditional car keys.
- Type of duplication machine used
This also determines the cost of getting a car key duplication. The type of machine used to do the job will determine the amount of time that will be required to get the duplicate key. It will influence the precision of the key cuts that combine ti for the bitting, and will also determine how complicate the duplication process will be. All of these tell on the overall cost.
- Getting additional features
If you intend to add additional features to your duplicate keys like a remote or programming, it will surely affect how much you will pay for the service.
Where Can You Get Duplicate Car Keys And How Does It Influence The Cost?
Like earlier said, you can get duplicate car keys made in a variety of places, just that there costs and quality also varies.
For most type of cars, some independent auto repair shops, locksmith, and hardware stores will have the right credentials and equipment to make and program car keys. Often, this is the most cost-effective option to get a duplicate car key as they are usually local providers.
Also, you can get your duplicate keys from an auto dealership. This provides the highest trustworthiness but could be very expensive. So if you have extra cash to spare, you can consider using a car dealership. If not, contact a locksmith and get your duplicate keys without stress.
How Much Does It Cost To Make A Mechanical Car Key?
Mechanical car keys are the least expensive to duplicate because they do not require any programming. For as low as $7 or $10, you can get plicate of this type of key. Only on rare cases, where out of production classic cars are involved will the cost go as high as $25.
However, there is an exception to this, and that is the VATS keys (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) keys. The Vats keys are a mechanical key but also do have a little resistor inside it. The resistor comes with an already set value, so it does not require any charge for programming. However, because these types of keys are a little more technical than conventional mechanical keys, it can cost around $20-$35 to get a duplicate.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Duplicate Of A Transponder Car Key?
This type of keys are also called chip keys because they have chips in them, and there is need to reprogram the car so it recognizes the key and start the engine. Because of this, duplicate transponder keys usually costs more.
The key is more expensive, and the additional programming of the car key further raises the cost of getting a duplicate of such keys. Transponder keys are the reason most places like Walmart, Home Depot, and Autozone can’t make most of your car keys. Because they are chip keys, these places don’t have the required equipment and knowledge to program such keys.
Do I Need To Pay More For Laser Cut Car Keys?
If you remember, we earlier said it that one of the factors that determine the cost of getting a duplicate car key is the type of machine used to make the duplicates.
Unlike most old keys, newer keys are not made the conventional cuts into the side of the blade. Rather, they are made from cuts routed into the edges of the key. Some also involve a wavy groove in the middle of the key. These types of keys are called high-security or laser-cut keys.
They require some cutting machines that are more expensive and also do take more time to produce. So the costs of getting a duplicate car key will depend on what type of key it is. Mechanics and locksmiths will charge you more if you are cutting laser car keys.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Car Keys With Remotes Attached?
Car keys that have remotes attached can sometimes be expensive. The remote adds as part of the key hard. While the cost of getting a duplicate of such car may be minor, it can sometimes add significant expense. Where your duplicate car key will only be used as a backup, you can save some cash by going only for the key and not together with the remote. Should you lose your primary key in the future, you can still use the duplicate key drive the car.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Switchblade Key Made?
Switchblade keys are the type of keys that fold up into the key fob when they are not in use, and come back out with just a press of a button. This key can either have a laser cut or a basic cut. However, one advantage the switchblade key has over some other types of keys is that its components can be purchased separately.
In a case where your key is damaged and hence refuse to work, you can just buy only the shank for about $60-$80. But if it happens that you have lost your key, you will need to buy both the key and the fob into which it folds. And these can cost about $200 to $300 including the programing of the two components.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Duplicate For Keyless Entry Remote?
Also known as “smart keys, a keyless entry remote is not a car key in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a key fob that you can insert in the dash or put in your purse or pocket (as it is seen in newer vehicles). With that, you can enter your car and start the engine with just a press of a button.
You don’t have much options to consider when it comes to getting a keyless entry remote – you can only buy a replacement at the dealer or an OEM parts seller. The cost of replacing a smart key, including its programming, can cost between $220 to over $500 in some luxury cars.
Better Safe than Sorry
To say that modern keys are expensive is simply saying the obvious truth. Therefore, all care must be taken in order not to lose them. It is better to get a spare key now, when you still can do it conveniently, better than when the time will come when you will have to do it under stress and tension.
Save yourself the stress of getting your car towed to a dealership and spending up to $1000 to replace the locks. Get getting duplicates for your car key today. Now you know how much to get a key made for your car, there is nothing else that should be stopping you from getting one.