Frequently Asked Questions

After 1995, a European Directive came into place enforcing the use of immobilisers on cars from new. This means most cars manufactured after 1995 have electronic chips in the heads of the key to disarm an immobiliser. You can’t always tell whether your particular key has a chip or not, without using special equipment. Some keys have a red or blue tab in the top, and some have just a plain plastic head with the chip embedded inside. The chances are that if you have a car built after 1995, it will have a chip. Some manufacturers, such as Volkswagen started bringing this technology in from as early as 1994.

A transponder chip is a small electronic chip embedded in the plastic head of the key, which responds to a signal sent out by the engine management system every time you turn the key in the ignition. If the response from the transponder chip is not correct, or it doesn’t reply with the message the engine management system was expecting, then the engine won’t start. If you have a key with no chip, or a chip that is not coded correctly, then it will open all the locks on the car, but the engine will not start.

No different technologies are uses by different manufactures and are constantly evolving. Our members are committed to keeping up with the many changes in this technology.

Unless otherwise stated, we always use original key blanks, But in some cases dues to dealer restraint we have to use aftermarket keys but still offer the same no quibble warranty. In these cases we will inform you before carrying out any work.

This varies depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle. Please contact us, and we will do our best to help you locate it.

No! The remote central locking on your car key operates on a different circuit to the transponder chip, and needs to be programmed separately to the transponder. Instructions on the Internet to ‘program your key’ are usually just to program the remote central locking buttons and will not affect your transponder chip in any way.

The cost of programming varies depending on the car and your location.

This question must have been asked so many times. Unfortunately, the transponder chips required are not cheap, and an older car will often have a transponder chip which is just as expensive as a newer car. In most cases original dealer supplied remote are used and have to be sourced so prices are unfortunately dictated by the dealers, Also there is the small point of the key will not start the vehicle until it is programmed to the vehicle which takes the latest tools, equipment, and computer software which is very expensive.

There are many different types of transponders used, just because the key looks physically the same does not mean it will program to the car. Also in most case once a transponder has been programmed once then it is locked to that vehicle and cannot be reprogrammed to another vehicle. To avoid problems we recommend you purchase replacement or additional keys from the company you wish to carry out the work.