Restore your fob with Chinnor'skey repair specialists.
Snapped blades, cracked cases and worn buttons don't always mean a new key. We replace cases and blades and transplant circuit boards, so your key works like new without the dealer price.
~40 min
Typical lockout arrival
DBS & insured
£10m via Locksure
Mobile
We come to your vehicle
Service overview
Key Refurbishment & Repair: what it is and when you need it
What it is
Key refurbishment and repair restores a damaged car key instead of replacing it. That can mean a new case, a new blade, replacement buttons, or transplanting your key's working circuit board into a fresh shell. Because the original electronics are kept, re-programming is often not needed.
Who it's for
Anyone with a key that's cracked, snapped, rattling, missing buttons or held together with tape, but still has working electronics inside. It suits cars, vans and fleet vehicles alike.
When you need it
When the blade has snapped or bent, the case has split, buttons have worn through or the key ring loop has broken. Acting early can stop further damage to the board.
Why use a professional
Dealers often recommend a whole new fob, even when only the case or blade is damaged. A skilled auto locksmith can assess whether the electronics are sound and repair the key properly, saving you the cost of replacement.
Don't leave it
What happens if you put it off
A damaged key tends to get worse, not better, and when it fails completely, it can turn into a much bigger job.
If it's ignored
- A cracked case lets water and dirt reach the circuit board.
- A bent or worn blade can damage your ignition or door locks.
- A key that finally breaks can leave you stranded.
Risks and rising costs
- Once the board is damaged, repair may no longer be possible.
- If it's your only key, failure can mean an all-keys-lost job.
- Damaged locks or ignitions add repair costs on top of the key.
Common mistakes
- Using glue or tape, which can trap moisture and damage the board.
- Buying a new fob when the original board could be reused.
- Ordering a cheap shell online without the right blade or fittings.
Our process
How the job is done, step by step
01
Send a photo
A photo of your damaged key and your registration let us assess it and give you a free quote.
02
Assess the electronics
We check whether the circuit board and chip are working.
03
Recommend the fix
Case swap, blade replacement or board transplant; we'll tell you what makes sense.
04
Repair
We rebuild the key, cutting a new blade where needed.
05
Test on the vehicle
We test locking, unlocking and starting before handing it back.
Why it's worth it
What you get
Real savings
One customer saved over £225 plus VAT compared with the dealer's quote for a new fob.
Like-new finish
A fresh case and blade make an old key look and feel new.
Often no reprogramming
Keeping your board means your car already recognises the key.
Quick
Many repairs are done on a single visit.
Protects your locks
A correctly cut new blade is kinder to ignitions and door locks.
Honest advice
If repair isn't worth it, we'll tell you and quote a replacement instead.
In detail
Key Refurbishment & Repair explained
Different damage calls for different repairs. Here's what we can do.
Case replacement
Cracked or split cases can be replaced with a new shell. Your existing circuit board, chip and battery are moved across, giving you a solid, sealed key again.
Blade replacement
Snapped, bent or worn blades are replaced and precision cut. We can scan a broken blade to reproduce it accurately, as we did for a customer's VW Transporter key.
Board transplantation
When the case and blade are beyond saving but the electronics still work, we transplant the circuit board into a new fob. This keeps the original programming, so the car recognises the key straight away.
Board repair
Some faults, such as worn button contacts or broken battery terminals, can be repaired on the board itself. We'll assess whether this is possible for your key.
When replacement is better
If the board is badly damaged by water or impact, repair may not be worthwhile. In that case we'll give you a clear quote for a new key instead.
Repairs for cars, vans and fleets
Van and fleet keys tend to take the most punishment: dropped on sites, carried with tools and used by several drivers. Refurbishing them rather than replacing them keeps costs down across a fleet, and business invoicing is available. For cars, a refurbished key can also help when selling, as a tidy, fully working pair of keys makes a better impression on buyers.
Battery terminals and button contacts
Some keys stop working simply because a battery terminal has broken or button contacts have worn through. These are often repairable on the board itself, at a fraction of the cost of a new fob. We'll check before recommending anything bigger.
What we need for an accurate quote
Every vehicle is quoted individually, and quotes are free. To give you a precise price first time, send us your vehicle registration, whether the vehicle is an import and where it came from, any electrical or vehicle faults you know about, your location, and a photo of any existing working key. With that, we can confirm the right key and method before we travel, so there are no surprises on the day.
Who does the work
SwiftAccess Auto is run by founder James Klamut, based in Chinnor. James holds an Automotive Locksmith Course Completion Certificate, a course acknowledged by MALA, is DBS checked and carries £10 million public liability cover through Locksure. You speak to the person who does the job, from first call to final test, which is why customers regularly mention clear communication and being kept informed throughout.
FAQs
Key Refurbishment & Repair questions
How much does a car key repair cost?
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It depends on the damage and your vehicle, so every repair is quoted individually. Send a photo for a free quote.
Is it cheaper to repair than replace?
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Often, yes. If the electronics still work, a case, blade or board transplant usually costs much less than a new fob.
Will my key need reprogramming?
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Usually not, if we keep your original circuit board. If the board needs replacing, the key will be programmed to your car.
How long does a key repair take?
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Many repairs are completed on a single visit.
Can you fix a key that's been in water?
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Sometimes. It depends on how much damage the water has done to the board. We'll assess it honestly.
Do you repair van and fleet keys?
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Yes. We repair keys for cars, vans and fleet vehicles.
Can you repair a key with worn-out buttons?
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Often, yes. Worn rubber buttons can be replaced with a new case, and worn button contacts on the board can sometimes be repaired.
What if my key can't be repaired?
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We'll tell you straight away and give you a free quote for a replacement key instead, with aftermarket, OEM unbranded or genuine options where available.
Which areas do you cover?
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We're based in Chinnor and cover Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, including Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Thame, Benson, Witney, Bicester, Wendover, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Maidenhead and Amersham. If your town isn't listed, call and ask; we cover many surrounding villages too.
How do I pay?
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Card (with an emailed receipt), bank transfer or cash. We're not VAT registered, so no VAT is added to your bill. Business and fleet customers can be invoiced.
Do you offer a warranty on keys?
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No. Keys can be damaged by drops, water or a flat battery, so we don't offer a warranty on supplied or cut keys. What we do is test every key on your vehicle before we leave, so you see it working with your own eyes.
Related services
Where we offer key refurbishment & repair
Key Refurbishment & Repair in Oxfordshire · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Buckinghamshire · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Berkshire · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Aylesbury · Key Refurbishment & Repair in High Wycombe · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Thame · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Benson · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Witney · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Bicester · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Wendover · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Beaconsfield · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Gerrards Cross · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Maidenhead · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Amersham · Key Refurbishment & Repair in Berkhamsted. Or request a free auto locksmith quote.
Free quote
Send a photo of your key for a free quote
Send your details and we'll reply with a clear price for your vehicle. In a hurry? Calling is fastest.
07468 189652- Free, no-obligation quotes
- DBS checked · £10m public liability
- Rated 5 stars on Google
- Base
- 11 Claremont Place, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4FX
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, 7 days