Im about to trade in my Fiat 500 but on hunting for the spare key (i have the remote one) Ive realised that Ive lost it and Fiat are quoting me £230 to get another one.

Does anyone know where I can get this done cheaper by any chance?

Sorry if Im posting in the wrong section.x

£230 is steep. You could just try other Fiat dealers that are within reach of you. Or you could just not mention only having one key when you turn up to trade in: they might not notice/remember.

I paid about that in Euros but I didn't have the key code card. PJs suggestion is good. If you were selling privately you could allow the price of it off the car so that the new owner has the option to get a proper remote for the 500.

I thought the 500 only came with one remote, the spare being a cheapy.

Surely the "cheapy" spare isnt £230?

snes said:

I thought the 500 only came with one remote, the spare being a cheapy.

Surely the "cheapy" spare isnt £230?

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The OP should be able to get a better price if they have the key code (understand that the new 500s haven't got a key code supplied). I was quoted €230 and €300 for a cheapie spare or a proper remote respectively. Thankfully the MiTo came with 2 proper remotes so I had the option of the cheapie. I hope the next owner doesn't notice.

I got one remote one and one standard key (cheapy one) and Ive lost the standard one but they said its £230 for a replacement and £300 for a replacement for a remote one. I dont have a code card either. They didnt give me one when I bought it. I might just do as you suggest and just give them one and see what happens but they asked me when I was discussing trade in if I had 2 keys and I said yes....

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated. x

Sunshine12 said:

I got one remote one and one standard key (cheapy one) and Ive lost the standard one but they said its £230 for a replacement and £300 for a replacement for a remote one. I dont have a code card either. They didnt give me one when I bought it. I might just do as you suggest and just give them one and see what happens but they asked me when I was discussing trade in if I had 2 keys and I said yes....

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated. x

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By not having a key code I was charged €50 and it had to go into the garage for programming. A special rate was negotiated and due the difference in VAT rates of 13.5% and 23% it brought the overall costs down a bit. Normally if you're selling privately having only one key is very dubious. Hopefully all will go well on the trade in.

Ive been scouring the internet and found someone that will cut a new one (standard cheapie version) for £13 by using a photo in the absence of a key code. Maybe that will do as it says its for a Fiat 500 and I doubt the garage will check each key when I trade it in anyway. I reckon its maybe worth the gamble if Im going to save myself over £200. x

The salesperson will remember if you've 'pulled a fast one'.

Sunshine12 said:

Ive been scouring the internet and found someone that will cut a new one (standard cheapie version) for £13 by using a photo in the absence of a key code. Maybe that will do as it says its for a Fiat 500 and I doubt the garage will check each key when I trade it in anyway. I reckon its maybe worth the gamble if Im going to save myself over £200. x

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I'd get a used one from a scrappy on eBay and jsut attach it to the other key, they're unlikly to check

That's what I did when I returned a Renault scenic on contract hire. I put the spare (bought on ebay) keycard in the service wallet, he ticked the 2 keys present box and off he went.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-500-...s=Car+Make:Fiat|Model:500&hash=item1c2a1f69c0

I have got a spare one you can have. It wont fit but they are not going to check.
PM me your address and I will post it to you.
Give £10 to cancer research if you get away with it.

At least the OP hasn't lost the proper Remote. A key that opens the door but wouldn't start the car would be cheaper but still not ideal.

Would like to think that I would 'come clean' and owe up that I'm not supplying a proper key that works. Still I'm not too sure what I would do if I was faced with this...

The dealer would not even think twice about ripping a customer off.

Timsons can often cut keys and clone the key you have onto the newly cut one

Andy Monty said:

Timsons can often cut keys and clone the key you have onto the newly cut one

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Fine for the very old Code1 systems, but not for anything after that.
So no use for a modern "500".

whys that david? i just thought it was a simple microchip

Andy Monty said:

whys that david? i just thought it was a simple microchip

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Before I got 'Fiat' to issue me with a new key I had enquired with Timsons about a 'mail order' key. They said that they could not do it for me so I contacted a 'local' branch. The nearest to me where I'm based is Galway which is over 100 miles away. I needed

1. The log book so that a blank could be ordered.
2. Then they would need one of the original keys along with the car so that the key could be programmed to the car. This was on a MiTo so it could be different to a 500.

Price was cheaper than the main dealer at €180 for a proper remote or €130 for the 'cheapie' key. Went I worked the figures it was cheaper to get it done with a local Fiat / Alfa dealer given the distance.

Get the impression that it's not possible to clone a key without the car.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I'd get a used one from a scrappy on eBay and jsut attach it to the other key, they're unlikly to check

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RUI said:

The dealer would not even think twice about ripping a customer off.

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From which I would conclude that anyone buying any FIAT, new or used, would be well advised to check that ALL the keys supplied will both unlock and start the car. Caveat emptor.