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500 Newbie lock change!?

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500 Newbie lock change!?

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DAJB2

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Joined
Sep 3, 2013
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Afternoon all,

To my shame this is my first post, although we have had our 500 for 6 months.
First up, it has coped valiantly with the 2 baby seats in the back, and has proved to have a far bigger book than the mini we had before.

But I have a problem. Technically it is my wife's car, so when I had the spare key stolen yesterday, complete with registration number make and model on they keyring it was attached to, the proverbial hit the fan.
I have had her put a steering wheel lock on it, but we are both terrified it is going to get pinched.

A going tohave to get a new spare, but are there any ways of 'replacing' the locks, without it costing a fortune?

Any help for a newbie, would be most gratefully reciceved!

Thanks
 
Welcome. Sorry you are joining in such circumstances. I can only imagine the ear ache you are getting.

I suspect this will be very expensive (a new remote key costs about £250+), but speak to your dealer.

Possibly more importantly, check your home insurance - this may be covered. Assuming it was not the only thing stolen it might be worth a claim even if you lose some NCD on your home policy.
 
Blimey. Many thanks, I will call the dealer and check back in...good advice on the insurance. Had not thought.
 
What terrible luck. Condolences.

If it's the spare (non-remote) key that's been stolen, it won't cost quite as much - perhaps about £150 or so for a new key + electronic code + reprogramming the car.

The good news is that the reprogramming (if done by a FIAT main dealer) will automatically delete the stolen key from the body computer memory, so the thief won't be able to drive your car away. They will, however, be able to unlock the door - so don't leave anything valuable in it (not a bad idea in any case). If you park it somewhere near your house which is covered by CCTV, you might even be able to catch the thieving bas****s.

Replacing the mechanical locks is a much more expensive proposition & I wouldn't want to contemplate doing that - it might actually be cheaper to trade the car in.
 
Last edited:
DAJB2 said:
Blimey. Many thanks, I will call the dealer and check back in...good advice on the insurance. Had not thought.
Click to expand...

I had a bag stolen with my house keys in - they were covered (replacement locks, not just new keys). Check the policy wording very carefully and discuss here if in doubt.
 
jrkitching said:
What terrible luck. Condolences.

If it's the spare (non-remote) key that's been stolen, it won't cost quite as much - perhaps about £150 or so for a new key + electronic code + reprogramming the car.

The good news is that the reprogramming (if done by a FIAT main dealer) will automatically delete the stolen key from the body computer memory, so the thief won't be able to drive your car away. They will, however, be able to unlock the door - so don't leave anything valuable in it (not a bad idea in any case). If you park it somewhere near your house which is covered by CCTV, you might even be able to catch the thieving bas****s.

Replacing the mechanical locks is a much more expensive proposition & I wouldn't want to contemplate doing that - it might actually be cheaper to trade the car in.
Click to expand...

My concern would be the damage that a p*ssed off thief might inflict on the interior of my car if he had bothered to come round with the key, got in and then found it wouldn't start.....
 
RobinPJ said:
My concern would be the damage that a p*ssed off thief might inflict on the interior of my car if he had bothered to come round with the key, got in and then found it wouldn't start.....
Click to expand...

True, but probably no worse than the damage that a p*ssed off thief might inflict on the exterior of my car if he had bothered to come round with the key, tried the lock and then found he couldn't get in....
 
jrkitching said:
True, but probably no worse than the damage that a p*ssed off thief might inflict on the exterior of my car if he had bothered to come round with the key, tried the lock and then found he couldn't get in....
Click to expand...

True.

Maybe would be cheaper to change the reg number?
 
Brilliant. Have booked new locks, a full re spray, plastic surgery, and have had the house painted black. No reason for the last bit, just came over a bit goth.
 
thank you though for the responses. It was the spare key so hopefully will not break the bank to have it replaced and reset. will weigh up the cost of fiat doing it v excess+increased premium...
 
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