Replacing a lost key

[SteveM]

My wife has lost her key. Part of her birthday present was a "Tile" device to prevent it happening again (she is happy because it helps her find her phone also; I did not get into trouble for possible passive-aggressive behaviour!). However, I still want a replacement. The manual says: go to the dealer. The dealer wants £350, which looks like the sort of rip-off that only a monopoly could sustain. Obviously I wish to avoid awarding this behaviour, if at all possible. A Google search suggests I can buy the key for £88, but unprogrammed. Then there are various links to programming stuff, which I have not researched in detail. Before I go on a possibly fruitless search, I thought I would consult this forum, which seems to be a font of useful knowledge. We surely can't be the first people in this position. BTW, I am not too worried about the lost key being deactivated, so please skip telling me about that.

 

[Reckless1957]

Key can only be programmed by dealer ordered from vin number from MG as it has key blade inside also. Most manufacturers charge the same amount always expensive, best insure next one.

 

[Diggsy]

Check your car insurance doesn’t cover lost keys

 

[ReintjeWA]

I think some locksmiths are able to (re)program new car keys, but I wouldn’t know if they can do MG4 keys specifically.

Considering it is the thing that lets you use the car I think the price isn’t too bad, a good incentive to take better care of an important item. But if you just want the second key as a back up, perhaps using the app would suffice?

It might also be worth checking your remaining key fob has the physical key blade inside it, some people here have reported only one of their keys comes with it, others say both key fobs have it.

 

[Kithmo]

The high cost is based on security. The dealer has to delete the key you have and the key you lost from the car, to prevent anyone who found your lost key from stealing the car, then reprogram that key and the new key to the car using the VIN.

 

[Tuareg]

It might also be worth checking your remaining key fob has the physical key blade inside it, some people here have reported only one of their keys comes with it, others say both key fobs have it.

Both my fobs have a key blade

 

[SteveM]

Both our keys had the blade.
In my cynical view, the high cost is simply because they have you over a barrel. Yes it's worth £350 to be able to use the car, but that's hardly the point. There is very little cost to the dealer/MG, some minor database adjustments, maybe half an hour of programming time and a £5 worth of hardware (at least it would be that sort of money if it were a regular consumer item.) I was expecting £50- £100, the sort of charge an insurance company, or bank, might make for admin.
I am looking into the insurance documents (thanks for the steer); the policy says yes, but then implies they will only pay out (up to £500) if the lock is changed. I'm not sure if that is just poor wording, or a way to avoid anyone ever making a claim; a physical lock change would be absurd for a lost key and presumably cost a lot more.
I'll post again if I find a better way.

 

[Reckless1957]

They have to cut new blade, provide new fob, program both the old spare key and the new key to the car, £350 considering the work and parts is good in my view.

 

[Muffler]

Would be interesting to see if just the blade could be ordered and for how much. May be possible/cost effective to mix ‘n match i.e. blade from dealer and fob from elsewhere. Anyone with SIPS/VDS3 access can do the programming part, I believe.

 

[mg4mc]

When I recently got a new key for my wife's Ford, it was £15 for a "clone" key off eBay + £75 for the local locksmith to cut the new physical blade, remove the old key from the car ECU and program the new one in. So yes I'd say £350 is a rip off.

 

[Geekice]

I programmed a third key in the ECU via SIPS in literally two minutes, but I haven’t been able to find anyone who can cut the blade. I bought the key for 25 euros on AliExpress.

 

[SteveM]

I programmed a third key in the ECU via SIPS i

Sorry I have not updated, as promised, it's been a busy week. I'm still pursuing the insurance aspect but haven't yet been able to get a clear answer from the insurance company.

Geekice offers a tantalising alternative. I am reasonably IT literate, but I fear the above explanation leaves me in the dark. I guess it comes to how much kit would I need to by, in addition to the key, to do the programming?

 

[David38]

My previous car replacement was cheaper than dealer price, £350 I think is what all dealers charge.
Locksmith did it cheaper but takes I recall an hour.

 

[derek31a]

Not replacing a lost key, but when the battery failed on my main key I tried replacing it and.....ping.....a small internal spring went flying. I held the key together with tape and contacted my dealer to get a new spring. No chance, I had to buy a new key at £350. I contacted MG UK to complain and after a lot of bickering they sent me a spare key FOC commenting that I'd still have to programme it. I then CAREFULLY dismantled both keys and swapped the 2 circuit boards. It worked perfectly saving me £350. Very happy.

 

[Geekice]

Sorry I have not updated, as promised, it's been a busy week. I'm still pursuing the insurance aspect but haven't yet been able to get a clear answer from the insurance company.

Geekice offers a tantalising alternative. I am reasonably IT literate, but I fear the above explanation leaves me in the dark. I guess it comes to how much kit would I need to by, in addition to the key, to do the programming?

For programming, you need a VDI adapter that costs around £130, and one hour of SIPs usage costs £6.