Broken Car Key Fob — Repair or Replace?
Dropped your key on concrete? Buttons not clicking? Case cracked open? Here's what each type of damage costs to repair, when it's worth fixing, and when you're better off replacing the whole key.
The five most common ways key fobs break
Cracked or broken case
Repair — cheap and quickWorn or sticky buttons
Repair if case is otherwise okaySnapped key blade
Repair — unless transponder was in the blade sectionWater damage (washing machine, sea)
Try cleaning first. Replace if corrosion is severe.Circuit board failure (no LED, no signal)
Repair possible if it's a dry joint or loose component. Replace if PCB is cracked.When repairing is the right call
- The electronics and transponder work perfectly — only the plastic case is damaged
- The key still starts the car and the remote works — it just looks tatty or feels loose
- The blade is snapped but the transponder chip is intact (it's in the fob body, not the blade)
- One button has stopped working but the others are fine (usually a worn rubber contact pad)
- The key is less than 3 years old and was expensive to programme originally
Rule of thumb: if the repair costs less than 50% of a new key, repair it.
When replacing is the better option
- The circuit board is cracked or has severe corrosion — board-level repair might fail again
- The transponder chip is damaged — the car won't start even with a new battery
- Multiple components have failed (case + buttons + board) — the repair cost approaches replacement
- The key was cheap originally (basic transponder, £99-£120) — the labour to repair costs nearly as much
- You don't have a spare key and this is your only one — get a fresh, reliable key with a warranty
What a "case swap" actually involves
A case swap is the most common repair — transferring the electronic guts from your broken key into a new shell. It takes about 15-20 minutes and should cost £25-£50. The transponder chip, circuit board, and battery contacts are carefully extracted from the old case and fitted into the new one. Your key's programming is unchanged — no re-programming needed. The new case should feel identical to the original.
Broken Key? We'll Tell You Honestly
Bring it to us or we'll come to you. If it's repairable we'll say so. If replacement is smarter, we'll tell you that too. No upselling.