VAG cars spare keys & all keys lost
VAG vehicles encompass a broad spectrum of cars in the UK market, with Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and Seat being the most prevalent, extending all the way up to Bugatti.
A unique system utilized by VAG brands means the essential data needed to create a spare or replacement car key is often found on the instrument cluster, various other components of the vehicle, and the existing car key.
For many VAG models, adding a spare key is generally more straightforward and cost-effective compared to the scenario of losing all car keys. While producing a spare car key is typically less expensive for any vehicle, VAG cars exhibit a significant cost disparity between full key replacements and spare keys, as some necessary data is stored on the existing working key.
In cases where all keys are lost, the process usually requires the removal of the instrument cluster to extract data, which must then be decoded and synchronized with other vehicle components to generate the necessary coding for adding replacement car keys.
2010 VW caddy van, all keys lost
with all keys lost this van required APK auto locksmith to pick and decode the door to be able to cut a spare key blade. The instrument cluster then needed to be removed from the vehicle and connected to to a programmer to retrieve the coding required to make a dealer key.
The instrument cluster was then refitted to the vehicle, dealer key made and then programmed to the car to get the unfortunate customer back on the road. A spare key could have been made for half the cost in less than half the time so always worth having for this particular vehicle.
Audi A6 spare car key
APK Auto Locksmith produced a spare car key for the customer using the existing car key all done through the cars obd port.
This particular car required an exact key to be able to produce the dealer key unique and locked to this car. No clock removal was required in this instance and that holds true in the most part up to 2018 which is the newest car (a Skoda) on the MQB system I have personally been able to add via obd using the customers working key.
Keep in mind the cost to produce a working car key for Vag cars in all keys lost situations can happily exceed £500!