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Mercedes Key Replacement Worthing With Keys Coded at Your Car
Mercedes key replacement is a new chrome key or smart key coded to your ignition switch and immobiliser. Worthing Auto Locksmith does it at the car on FBS3 models, and tells you on the call if your Mercedes is an FBS4 car that needs the dealer.
Mercedes Key Replacement in Worthing
A Mercedes key is more than a blade and a chip. It talks to the Electronic Ignition Switch, the EIS, by infrared, and the EIS decides whether the car will start. Replacing a Mercedes key means coding a new key to the EIS and the immobiliser, and the key system in your car decides who can do it. For other makes, see the car makes we cover.
Spare Mercedes Keys When One Key Still Works
With a working key, a second key is coded to the car, which is the quickest and cheapest route on FBS3 cars. That is a spare car key, and it is worth doing before the last key goes.
FBS3 and FBS4, Which Key System Your Mercedes Has
This is the most important question for any Mercedes key. The year of the car is the best guide, and the registration confirms it.
| FBS3 | FBS4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical years | Most cars before 2015 | Most cars from 2015 |
| Example models | C Class W204, E Class W212, older A Class, Sprinter W906, Vito W639 | C Class W205, E Class W213, S Class W222, newer A Class |
| Encryption | Well supported by specialists | A higher level of encryption |
| Who can code a new key | A specialist auto locksmith, at the car | Usually a Mercedes dealer |
| All keys lost | Covered at the car | Usually the dealer route |
If your Mercedes is FBS4, you are told on the call, before anyone sets off, so you never pay for a visit that cannot finish.
Mercedes Key Types
Mercedes keys have changed over the years, and the key in your hand points to the system behind it.
Infrared Keys and the EIS
Since the early 2000s most Mercedes keys talk to the ignition switch by infrared. The key is pushed into the EIS rather than turned like a blade, and both have to agree before the car starts.
Smart Key Chrome Fobs
The familiar chrome key, with a hidden emergency blade for the doors. It is coded to the EIS and carries the remote buttons.
Keyless Go
Keyless Go cars open and start without the key leaving your pocket. The key is paired to the keyless system as well, and is worth keeping in a signal blocking pouch against relay theft.
Older Blade Keys
Older Mercedes cars used a conventional blade and transponder, cut and programmed like most other makes.
Mercedes Key Replacement by Model
Three models make up most of the Mercedes on Worthing driveways.
Mercedes A Class Key Replacement
Older A Class models are usually FBS3 and coded at the car. The newest A Class uses FBS4, which normally needs the dealer.
Mercedes C Class Key Replacement
The C Class W204, built until around 2014, is FBS3 and covered at the car. The W205 that followed is FBS4. The W204 is also known for steering lock faults, covered below.
Mercedes E Class Key Replacement
Most E Class W212 cars are FBS3 and covered at the car. The W213 from 2016 is FBS4.
Mercedes Key Replacement Cost
Mercedes keys cost more than most makes because the key and the coding are more complex. These are typical UK figures.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Programming only | From £85 plus VAT |
| Standard FBS3 replacement, supplied, cut and programmed | £150 to £200 |
| All keys lost with a specialist | £200 to £350 |
| Mercedes dealer | £300 to £400 or more |
| Dealer range for a lost key | £400 to £950 |
The price for your car is agreed in writing on the call, once the model, year and key system are known.
What Drives the Cost of a Mercedes Key
Four things move the price of a Mercedes key.
FBS3 or FBS4
The single biggest factor, because FBS4 keys usually come from the dealer.
The Key Type
A Keyless Go key costs more than a standard chrome key.
Whether a Key Still Works
A spare coded with a working key costs less than an all keys lost job.
The Condition of the EIS
A worn ignition switch or steering lock adds work, and it is checked first.
Lost Mercedes Keys
On FBS3 cars, a new key is made from the car data and coded to the EIS, and the lost keys are removed so they can no longer start the car, which is the same step as a car immobiliser reset. On FBS4 cars, the dealer route is usually needed.
Proving Ownership
A new Mercedes key is only made against the V5C and photo ID in the same name, as on every lost car keys job.
- ✔FBS3 Keys Coded
- ✔Chrome and Smart Keys
- ✔Straight Answer on FBS4
- ✔Open 24 Hours
When the Key Turns but Nothing Happens
Many Mercedes faults look like a dead key and are not. Three checks come first.
The Key Battery
A weak battery stops the remote and can stop a Keyless Go car finding the key. Most chrome keys use a CR2025 cell.
The Steering Lock
On the C Class W204 and E Class W212, a failed electronic steering lock stops the car starting even with a good key. That is covered on the steering lock page, linked in the questions below.
The Keys Are Locked Inside
No new key is needed. The car is opened without damage, which is locked keys in car.
Mercedes Sprinter and Vito Keys
Older Sprinter W906 and Vito W639 vans use the same FBS3 key system as the cars of those years, so their keys are coded at the van. Newer vans follow the FBS4 rule. Van keys are covered under van key replacement.
How a Mercedes Key Replacement Works in Worthing
Every Mercedes key job starts with the same question, FBS3 or FBS4.
Registration and Key System Checked
Call 07932805727 with the registration. The key system is confirmed, and if it is FBS4 you are told straight away.
Price Agreed in Writing
For FBS3 cars, the price is agreed before a van leaves.
Ownership Checked and Key Coded
The V5C and photo ID are checked, then the key is coded to the EIS at the car.
Tested, and Lost Keys Removed
The key is tested on the doors, boot and engine, and any lost key is removed.
Mercedes Models We Make Keys For
FBS3 Mercedes cars and vans are covered at the car. FBS4 models are confirmed on the call.
Areas We Cover for Mercedes Key Replacement Worthing
Mercedes keys are replaced at the car across 15 towns and districts in BN11 to BN17, BN43, BN44, BN5 and RH20. Arrival times for each town are listed under areas we cover.
Questions About Mercedes Key Replacement in Worthing
The questions asked most about Mercedes keys, from FBS3 and FBS4 to cost and the steering lock.
How much does a Mercedes key replacement cost in Worthing?
An FBS3 replacement runs £150 to £200 with a specialist and all keys lost £200 to £350, against £300 to £400 or more at a dealer. The price for your car is agreed on the call.
What is a Mercedes infrared key?
The key talks to the ignition switch by infrared as well as by chip. The ignition switch, the EIS, has to accept the new key.
My Mercedes key turns but nothing happens. Is the key broken?
Not always. On the C Class W204 and E Class W212 the steering lock is a known fault, covered under steering lock replacement.
How do I change a Mercedes key battery?
Slide out the emergency blade and open the battery cover. Most chrome keys use a CR2025 coin cell. If the key still fails, it may need a remote car key repair.
Is my Mercedes FBS3 or FBS4?
It follows the year. Most Mercedes built before 2015 use FBS3, and most from 2015 use FBS4. The registration is enough to confirm it.
Can a locksmith program an FBS4 Mercedes key?
Usually not. Most independent locksmiths cannot program FBS4, so the key normally comes from a Mercedes dealer. You are told on the call before anyone sets off.
Can a Mercedes key be made if every key is lost?
On FBS3 cars, yes. The key is made from the car data and the lost keys removed. On FBS4 cars the dealer route is usually needed.
Is a locksmith cheaper than the Mercedes dealer?
On FBS3 cars, usually. A dealer runs £300 to £400 or more against £150 to £200 for a specialist replacement.
Do you make keys for the Sprinter and Vito?
On FBS3 models, yes. Older Sprinter and Vito vans use the same key system as the cars of the same years.
Do you cover Mercedes cars across Worthing and West Sussex?
Yes. Mercedes keys are replaced at the car across Worthing, Goring, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea and the rest of the 15 towns covered.
Mercedes Keys Coded Across Worthing, at Your Car
Have the registration ready. The key system is confirmed first, and the price agreed in writing before a van leaves.