Where to get a replacement car key cheaply?

[Alan Medic]

A friend has lost his last key for a Fiat Punto 2003. He's been quoted somewhere between ?200-?250 to have one made. I'm sure the combined knowledge of the Forum will come up with a cheaper solution. I'm counting on you as I think he is diving in too quickly and told him I bet the EDF would come up with an answer.

Any ideas please?

[Lowlander]

With newer cars sadly that's how much it costs - even for my '97 Volvo the cost is ?120 or so and only an official Volvo dealer can do it as they need to get the code from Sweden.

Do take it into a key cutters and they'll be able to tell you if they can do it, there is a slim chance.

Otherwise it's a case of phoning a number of Fiat dealers to find the cheapest. It may be that independent Fiat dealers can do it, as I believe the process varies by cars.

Essentially the key has a chip in the plastic holder which is read by a reader in the keyhole (bit like an oyster card) and it that needs to be programmed to match the car.