Sometimes, some interesting cars crop up at the local authority here.

Seized cars, or imported cars with no papers.

Some of them have NO KEYS available.

Are these cars of any use?

Can one request a key from the manufacturer, or will all the locks, ECU and barrels have to be changed?

 

Depends on the cars ? We had an '98 Fiesta key made up when the keys were stolen. Just removed the boot lock so a key could be cut and a Ford engineer re-programmed the key to the cars immobiliser.

I can imagine newer cars being more of a pain though.

 

I think if you lose your S2000 keys, the bill will be about £800.

That can be £2,000 for more 'sophisticated' cars.

 

Only useful if they are really cheap.

Relevant bits can be replaced on the car to make it usable, but it needs to make sense financially.

 

If you have the VIN and proof of ownership most dealers should be able to arrange keys for you – for a price.

If it was that simple though I would assume that the authorities would have arranged for new keys to aid with transport, search and sale.
If they don't have keys I'd also guess that most the locks have been broken by the authorities to search the insides of the cars.
If they had to push/tow the cars they might have bust the steering locks too.

It's also possible that some of the vin numbers have been removed or changed – although I'd be surprised if such cars would be sold on to the public.

 

:Yeahthat:

Stav of Fast Car fame once claimed ownership of an 'abandoned' S2000 iirc, applied for V5, nobody contested it, then when he got the V5 took it to Honda and got keys cut for it, then took the car and flogged it on for quick profit

 

I see.

So say a rightful owner can manage to get keys for modern cars at a price.

Interesting.

There is a Subaru Impreza 2003 model in good condition.

But no keys.

For 3000 euros its a good price.

Add another 3K repairs and it becomes expensive.

 

So, the rolling code transponders in the keys don't roll codes?

You have to change the ECU unless you have the red key. Or an existing one to clone.

 

yep, i agree with Nick - if you dont have a key at all it's ££

but maybe an aftermaret ecu would be cheaper

 

Mugen whore!

Probably a lot easier in fact.