Bought a used car with one key? What to check next
The used car you just bought came with one key. Before ordering a fob online, check what works, ask what happened to the second key and confirm which replacement your vehicle needs. A matching photo or an identical-looking case is not enough to choose the right spare.
Test every key before you take the car home
If the seller says there are two keys, ask to see both and test them separately. With a push-button start, keep the other key away from the car while testing. You need to know whether the key in your hand actually starts the vehicle.
Try the lock and unlock buttons.
Start the car with each key, following the owner’s manual.
Check for the mechanical blade or emergency key supplied for that model.
Look for damaged buttons, a cracked case or an unusual dashboard message.
Unlocking the doors and being recognized by the starting system are separate checks. Pressing the buttons alone does not tell you everything you need to know.
Ask what happened to the missing key
A key left at the seller’s home may still be recoverable. A lost key raises a different question. Before your appointment, tell us whether you simply want a spare or whether an older key is unaccounted for.
Adding a spare does not, by itself, establish that a missing key has been disabled. For example, Mazda’s 2023 MX-5 owner’s manual describes resetting key codes after a loss and bringing in the remaining keys. That guidance applies to that vehicle; it is not a universal procedure. We check the available options for your model.
Check compatibility before buying a fob online
Keys that look alike may be intended for different vehicles. The make, model, year and type of ignition give us a useful starting point. A photo of your current key also helps us understand what you have.
Ford’s SecuriLock owner guidance explains that the vehicle needs a correctly programmed key to start. A new case or a cut blade alone is therefore not proof that the complete key will work with your car.
If you have already bought a key, tell us before coming in. We need to check compatibility before confirming the work. Avoid ordering a part solely because its photo matches your current key.
What we need for an accurate quote
Include these details in your request:
Vehicle make, model and year.
Whether you turn a key in the ignition or press a start button.
How many keys still start the vehicle.
Whether you need a spare, have a damaged key or have lost every key.
The VIN field on our form is optional. It can help identify the vehicle, but it does not replace having the vehicle present for our service. For a spare key, plan to bring the car and every key you have.
We confirm your price before your appointment at our Saint-Léonard shop. The quote depends on your vehicle and the key it needs, so we do not give one price that is supposed to fit every car.
For key examples and model coverage, see our vehicle-make directory. We confirm compatibility for your exact vehicle before booking.
Keep your new spare somewhere useful
Before leaving, test the starting function and the features agreed on for your key. Then keep the spare in a safe place, away from your everyday key and outside the vehicle. Two keys on the same key ring will not help if that ring goes missing.
Down to one key? Get a quote or call 450 626-0956.
Related reading: how to compare spare car key quotes.
The manufacturer references above describe specific systems. Always follow the owner’s manual for your own vehicle.
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