Mercedes keys look simple – a chrome smart key with a hidden blade – but they sit on one of the most secure systems in any mainstream car. We support many A, C and E-Class models and Sprinters, checking the exact system before booking an appointment at the vehicle.
Call 01202 287974Not a national company
No call centre, no middle-man booking fee.
Real local professionals
Based in the BH area, working the BH area.
No inflated pricing
Fair, fixed prices agreed before any work.
Deal direct with your technician
The person you speak to is the one who turns up.
Key types & security
Most Mercedes models since the late 1990s use an Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS) that reads an infrared and radio key. The security generation matters a great deal.
We see Mercedes enquiries from across the area, from A-Class owners in Christchurch to Sprinter fleets on Poole and Ferndown industrial estates. Because the brand's security is strict, the best first step is always to send the registration and describe the key you have. That tells us the EIS generation and whether a mobile key is possible. If it is, we cut the emergency blade, program the key and test it at the vehicle. If it is a dealer-only generation, we will say so clearly so you do not waste time waiting for a visit that cannot help.
The key is inserted into the EIS, which checks the code before releasing the steering lock. Many C-Class and E-Class models use this system.
Some models pair the EIS with an electronic steering lock. Faults here can stop the key turning or the car starting.
Start and entry without handling the key on higher-spec models. Proximity and remote functions must both work.
Some recent Mercedes keys can only be supplied through a dealer. We will tell you honestly if yours is one of them.
A lost Mercedes-Benz key costs £220–£470 on average and a Mercedes-Benz spare key £170–£310, depending on the key type and model year. Newer VW, BMW and Land Rover spares are typically £350+, and some newer prestige models cost more. We confirm a fixed price from the model, year and registration before booking.
A Mercedes-Benz dealer may need the car brought in and the key ordered. A mobile auto locksmith cuts and programs the key at your car in one visit. Mercedes-Benz spare keys typically cost 30–60% less than a main dealer, with the biggest savings on cars up to 2013. Some of the newest Mercedes-Benz systems are dealer-only, and we will tell you before booking.
Practical takeaways
Often a fault in the key or ignition switch rather than the battery. We diagnose before quoting.
Working vans with one key are a real risk. A spare protects the business.
What we do
A-Class · B-Class · C-Class · E-Class · CLA · CLK · GLA · GLC · ML · Vito · Sprinter
A-Class, C-Class and Sprinter keys are the Mercedes jobs we see most.
Because support varies by generation, a Mercedes quote always starts with the registration. We confirm what is possible and the fixed price before you commit.
Recent work
Spare car keys
Poole
A second working key cut and programmed for a Ford Kuga in Poole.
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Lost car keys
Christchurch
A replacement smart key supplied and coded to a BMW X5 in Christchurch.
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Ignition repair & replacement
Ferndown
Ignition problem on an Audi A3 in Ferndown repaired at the car.
Read the jobFAQ
No. Many models are supported, but some of the newest generations are dealer-only. We check first and tell you straight.
Tell us the model and year. We'll agree a fixed price before booking an appointment at your car.
