If you have insurance against key loss then use that. Fixing this can be very expensive. Even if you don’t have it as an add-on to your car insurance, you might be covered by your household contents insurance.
Assuming you’re not insured, contact a few local automotive locksmiths for quotations, and don’t skimp on the job by only getting one key. Also don’t assume that your local Volkswagen Audi dealers will be the most expensive, so ask them for a quotation as well, but make sure that whichever quotations you get involve them coming to you, as transporting your car to them can get very pricey.
Finally, get a realistic estimate for what it would cost to replace your car with the same make, model, and year: if you own an older Passat it could actually be cheaper to sell yours as is and buy a replacement. Make sure it has both keys…
Anyone providing a solution to your problem will need to see proof that you own the vehicle, plus proofs of your identity and address. They’ll tell you exactly what they need.
Two options are open to you:
- Get the transponder keys replaced. That means the supplier will need to obtain replacement key blades matched to your existing locks, replacement key heads which the blade fits onto, and maybe separate remote control fobs if that’s not already built into the key head. The contractor will connect your car to their computer and program the car to recognise the new key heads/fobs. Make sure that they delete the lost keys from the vehicle memory; that’s usually automatic but not always. The new keys will still unlock your car and the ignition steering lock, but in doing so they’ll set off car’s own factory fit alarm and will not be able to drive the car away. This is the cheapest option.
- Get all of the key barrels in the doors and the ignition lock changed and they come with new keys. Sometimes you’ll still need to pay for new key heads/fobs as well as some lock kits only come with the key blades. Changing steering ignition lock usually requires replacing the whole steering lock assembly. Afterwards the vehicle will need programming to recognise the new key heads/fobs again. This is the most expensive option and it’s the one insurers usually choose as it also prevents anyone with your missing keys getting into the car to steal stuff from it. Insurers will choose the first option if it’s clear that both missing keys are irretrievably lost (such as in a house fire), or if the lost keys are found again but no longer able to work (such as after flooding). The second option often results in insurers declaring cars which are otherwise perfectly good as being total loss wrecks, especially if they’re older cars.
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Emmanulla Jacob