Motorhome Spare Key

HOTORMOMER
HOTORMOMER Forum Participant Posts: 41
edited March 2018 in Motorhomes #1

I've just had the shock of my life. I wanted a spare ignition key for my Fiat Ducato based motorhome. I called the local dealer, told him the registration and he said that it would be around £200.00 plus £90.00 for re-programming. 'That's almost £300.00 for a key' I said 'Ah but there's a piece of electronic wizardry built in to it' he informed me. 'That may well be' I told him, 'but I can go down to Currys and buy something full of electronic wizardry called a flat screen t.v. for that price. OK, they're not much good for starting a motorhome, but anyway.Why so expensive? Has anyone experienced the same? Are all vehicle spare keys this pricey? 

 

Comments

  • Apperley
    Apperley Forum Participant Posts: 254
    edited March 2018 #2

    Hi Hotormomer, yes, most modern motor vehicle keys need programming and £200 - £300 is not uncommon. It does feel like a rip off. 

  • beero
    beero Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited March 2018 #3

    I have been told that when they program the key they also tell the CPU NOT to recognize any previous keys so that a past "shady" owner or dealer who has held a key back cannot come and steal your vehicle. Does it seem slightly better value now? This is the price we pay for security I suppose. Seems all dealers are the same. I paid £143 for new keys for a Ford 6 years ago and £215 for a Honda key recently. Last time I had a cheap key reprogram was £35 11 years ago.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2018 #4

    Might seem expensive until something goes wrong and the alternative could be very expensive.  I won't relay the whole tale but 4/5 years ago brother had a problem with his Fiat based MH.  Eventually couldn't start it so called breakdown and they brought him to the town I live in.  He didn't have the key with the electric gubbins in it.  Result the whole alarm, immobiliser system replaced, with the van off the road for a month and a total cost of about £1500.00.  

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2018 #5

    Ther is a similar thread in Caravan and Motorhome Chat. See my comments.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2018 #6

    Ditto

  • HOTORMOMER
    HOTORMOMER Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited March 2018 #7

    I've just been in touch with our local Timpsons and they say that they can provide a smart key for £60.00!! including programing. Quite a difference to Fiat's £300.00. Does anyone know anything of their service regarding these keys?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2018 #8

    As this is a duplicate thread I will close this one as it has had less posts and I will move the other thread into this section so that all replies can be seen in one place.

    David

Categories