Losing your car keys could see you pay thousands to replace them
According to national chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), Dewald Ranft, in some cases motorists may end up waiting longer than a few days, especially if they own exotic cars which would see key replacement cost way more than a couple of thousand Rand.
Gone are the days when losing the keys to your car meant a simple trip down to the locksmith with the spare, paying just a couple of Rand to have a new key cut.
Losing your car key means you could be paying thousands of Rands to solve the problem, while also leaving you stranded.
Why?
Technology has developed extensively and transponder technology is no exception, unless you still drive a vintage model.
According to national chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), Dewald Ranft, in some cases motorists may end up waiting longer than a few days, especially if they own exotic cars which would see key replacement cost way more than a couple of thousand Rand.
“The cost of a single key replacement ranges from R2 000 to R4 500. New keys need to be ordered and these need to be cut and coded,” he said.
But you’ve got the spare tucked away safely, right?
Well, if you have no idea where the spare key is expect to fork out even more – while also being left without a car for even longer and the worry of towing fees.
“One could easily be quoted anything from R10 000 to more than R20 000 depending on the model and make of the car,” said Ranft.
This high-tech headache does not mean all hope is lost, fortunately.
MIWA-accredited aftermarket workshops offer a legitimate alternative to cut and recode modern car keys – at a competitive price, too.
An added benefit is that in most cases owners can be assisted immediately, meaning they are not left without a car for more than a day.
MIWA-accredited workshops are familiar with the technology used, and have worked in this field since modern car keys were introduced to South Africa.
“Many MIWA shops carry genuine keys and also stock after-market keys which may look different to the original – these however work the same, but cost less. Some workshops even carry diagnostic tools which can reset the car’s computer if both keys are lost,” said Ranft.
Check first as your warranties may be affected when dealing with MIWA for key replacement.
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