Spare Motorhome Keys

my first Carthago only came with one key...the dealer spoke to my local Fiat dealer and paid the bill (over the phone) for a new (non flipping) key and programming....£230 if I remember correctly....

That seems to be about the going rate for most "smart" keys these days. I was quoted a similar figure a few years back after loosing the second key to my OH's Hyundai Getz. We made do with one until we sold the car.

There may be cheaper ways but it means a bit of a faff. 

My daughter had a similar problem. Ignition lock switch and keys from a breakers yard with keys (already stripped) £30.

Repair kit for key containing blank for cutting and casing around £6. She transferred electronic gizmo from s/h key to new case, had the key cut locally (a few pound), searched internet for how to program. 

Se was 'between jobs' and it cost her under £50 instead of around £300 at local dealer

We only paid that much for the remote key when we lost ours. The non remote should be a lot cheaper.

Nora

Currys probably sell more TVs than Fiat sells replacement keys. Replacement keys are exorbitant but the price you were quoted is about the going rate. £90 is the going rate for an hour's labour in some dealers. You can shop around for cheaper deals but beware the back street salesman who fronts a motorhome theft syndicate. 

Still has electronics for immobiliser and needs re-programming I suppose.

Honest John in the Telegraph is always recommending small Companies who can provide the same service as much lower prices. Worth checking his website www.honestjohn.co.uk

Smart keys have been developed to deter vehicle theft.  I doubt if anybody would want to go back to the 60's where a vehicle key just turned a mechanical lock.

The electronic circuitry which matches the smart keys to a particular vehicle is part of the vehicle security.  Who wants to lose a motorhome with a street value of many tens of thousands or have the extreme inconvenience of having their one remaining key accidentally damaged meaning their motorhome is out of commission for a considerable time. Also a very expensive procedure of having two new keys configured for their van. 

For peace of mind alone, having two keys per vehicle is worth the £200 - £300 investment.

K 

Just a quick note, should someone have the misfortune to have a vehicle stolen and not have the second key, they may find that their insurance won’t pay out without the second key.

i know someone that expirenced that.

they were told that, with the theft devices fitted to modern cars, it was considered that a key would be needed to steal the vehicle.

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.