Lost Key - Friend wants to scrap car!

[Casa1862]

As title, he's lost his key to a perfectly good 2002 Focus, drives and looks great even though only worth about £500.00 odd.
Ford dealers is saying all the locks needs to be changed and the lock kit plus labor is going to be between £300.00 & £400.00. Surly must be an easier way, bit OTT to scrap the car, based in Hertfordshire if anyone knows someone who can help...yes he knows you should always keep a spare key, learnt the hard way!

[JonnyFive]

Get an Auto Locksmith to cut another one.

Still won't be cheap.

[Justayellowbadge]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-focus-2000-1-8-16v-...

[Casa1862]

Cheers, I'll look into those ebay parts but problem is fitting that lot, wouldn't have a clue where to start, plus need to open the car first which comes easier to some people than others.

[Vixpy1]

Um, get a another key from the dealer?

[Casa1862]

Been told the dealer will have to remove the car and basically break into it and take the number from the barrel, the labor cost plus time getting the replacement key is almost as much as getting the locks changed.. not that straight forward.

[thinfourth2]

2002 focus

Mmmmm

Join the AA

A week later lock your keys in the car

The AA come out and open your car

Oh dear no key in the car



Remove ignition barrel and replace with screwdriver and never lock car

[Herbs]

Casa1862 said:

Been told the dealer will have to remove the car and basically break into it and take the number from the barrel, the labor cost plus time getting the replacement key is almost as much as getting the locks changed.. not that straight forward.

Put a BMW badge on it

[MX7]

I'd have thought that the details would be on the dealers computer system by 2002.

[rallycross]

key number in service book
or wallet
supplying dealer (number plates?) will still have key number detials.

[nsmith1180]

Vin number + Ford system = Key number.

If its anything like the Vauxhall system anyways. Saying that, if its like the VX system it will also give you date of order, date of construction, supplying dealer, date of loading onto the transporter, colour code, radio code, test drivers daughters name......

manufacturers keep EVERYTHING.

[Casa1862]

rallycross said:

key number in service book
or wallet
supplying dealer (number plates?) will still have key number detials.

Service history is not really full and plus it's in the car!

A new key will need to be paired with the car which is also quite expensive, no real easy options as yet.

[m44kts]

A mate lost his Mondeo key whilst at a festival, was the red key too, quick call to a local auto locksmith and a few hours later back with a functioning car on his way home

[4key]

^That. Phone an auto locksmith, try not to come across as desperate and dont tell them all of that stuff in the OP, theyll come out break in and do you a programmed key for somewhere around £100.

[rallycross]

Casa1862 said:

A new key will need to be paired with the car which is also quite expensive, no real easy options as yet.

Once you get in with the new key an auto lock smith can program it does not need to go to main dealer

[Casa1862]

m44kts said:

A mate lost his Mondeo key whilst at a festival, was the red key too, quick call to a local auto locksmith and a few hours later back with a functioning car on his way home

Great, done this and someone coming out tomorrow, £135.00 + vat for two keys (one remote), I thought would be much more than that, good result and hopefully keeps a good car going, can't believe he was going to scrap it, I should have offered him a couple of hundred for it. Once again, thanks.

[jimxms]

Is his insurance due for renewal? If so, take out additional "key cover" which costs about £15 and re-loose the lost key?

Or

drill the locks and the ignition, bodge up some alternative

[Gallen]

Plastic wedge gently hammered in to the top corner of the drivers door. Open door with coat hanger.

Simples

[XG332]

I've had to do this a few times. Plastic wedge (spirit level) pushed into gap between door and car.
Once opened wide enough I used a pair of very long medical forceps to lift the lock pin. Done

[Gallen]

XG332 said:

very long medical forceps to lift the lock pin. Done

...before bundling her in to the boot with a shovel and a bag of lime LOL!