All Makes · AUTEL & Xhorse Programmed

Transponder Car Keys Cut & Programmed At Your Location

Your replacement key arrived — the blade fits, turns the ignition, but the engine won't start. This is a transponder key programming issue. DB Car Keys cuts the blade and programs the chip to your vehicle's ECU on-site across Devon, Dorset & Somerset. Same-day service, 24 hours a day.

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All Key Types

Transponder · Smart · Flip · Card

AUTEL & Xhorse

Dealer-Level Equipment

Same-Day Service

At Your Location

66 Google Reviews

★★★★★ 5-Star Rated

15+ Years Experience

Thousands of Keys Cut

The Key Fits — But the Car Won't Start. Here's Why.

A transponder key contains a small encrypted microchip inside the plastic head. When you put the key in the ignition, this chip sends a coded radio signal to your car's ECU. If the ECU doesn't receive the correct signal, the immobiliser blocks fuel delivery — the engine cranks but won't fire.

This is why a key cut to the right blade profile at a market stall, or an online spare that "fits the ignition", won't start your car. The blade gets you into the car and turns the barrel — but without programming, the engine is going nowhere. UK vehicles have required transponder immobiliser systems since 1998. The vast majority of cars on the road today use them.

📍 Real Scenario — Exeter & Somerset

"This is our most-seen callout pattern across Devon and Somerset. A driver orders a replacement or spare key online, takes it to a key cutting stall or small locksmith to have the blade cut, and is surprised when inserting it doesn't start the car. The blade is perfect — but the transponder chip was never programmed to the vehicle ECU. We connect our AUTEL, code the chip in around 20 minutes, and that's the job done."

📍 Real Scenario — Vauxhall Owner, Taunton

"A Vauxhall owner in Taunton had his car in for a service at an independent garage — battery disconnected as part of the work. Afterwards, one of his two keys would no longer start the car. The other key was fine. The second key had been purchased as a spare but never fully coded to the ECU. The battery disconnection reset a parameter that exposed the issue. Fifteen minutes on our AUTEL fixed it on his driveway."

⏱ When does a transponder key need programming?

Spare key bought online won't start car

Replacement key cut locally, engine cranks but won't fire

Key recognised then stopped working

After battery replacement or flat battery

After ECU replacement by a garage

Bought car with only one key

Lost all keys — new key needed from scratch

Adding a second driver's key

Transponder Key Types We Cut & Program

Every transponder system in use on UK roads today — blade profiled and chip coded on-site

Most Common

Fixed Code Transponder

Older vehicles from the late 1990s and early 2000s use fixed-code chips — a single static signal that the ECU validates on each start. Simpler to program but still requires the correct equipment and key blank. Very common on early Fords, Vauxhalls and Peugeots.

Found in: Ford (pre-2005), Vauxhall (pre-2004), Peugeot 206/307, Citroën Saxo/Xsara

Most Modern

Encrypted / Rolling Code

Post-2005 vehicles predominantly use encrypted rolling-code transponders. Each start generates a unique challenge-response exchange between the key chip and the ECU — far harder to duplicate. Requires advanced OBD access to program. This is where our AUTEL equipment makes the difference.

Found in: All modern vehicles — VW/Audi ID48/ID63, Ford Texas Crypto, BMW EWS/CAS, Toyota Crypto

European Vehicles

ID46 / PCF7946 / PCF7947

The Philips PCF chip family is used across a wide range of European vehicles. Very common across Devon, Dorset and Somerset given the popularity of French and German marques. Requires specific programming access but is fully covered by our equipment for most applications.

Found in: Vauxhall Astra/Corsa (post-2004), Peugeot 207/308, Citroën C3/C4, Renault Clio/Megane, Opel models

VW Group

ID48 / ID63 Chips

The VW Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda) uses ID48 and ID63 chips across their range. Programming typically requires OBD access plus additional authentication — a job that stumps many general locksmiths but is routine for us with the correct AUTEL software suite.

Found in: VW Golf/Polo/Passat, Audi A3/A4/A6, Seat Ibiza/Leon, Skoda Fabia/Octavia

Ford & BMW

Texas Crypto Transponder

The Texas Instruments crypto transponder platform is used by Ford (the most common programming callout we attend) and BMW across many years and models. 40-bit and 128-bit variants exist — both require specific programming sequences that our Xhorse and AUTEL tools handle.

Found in: Ford Fiesta/Focus/Transit (post-2003), BMW 1/3/5 Series (with EWS system), some Mazda models

Keyless Entry

Smart Key / Proximity Transponder

Smart keys combine a proximity sensor (for keyless entry) with an embedded transponder for engine authorisation. Push-button start vehicles communicate with the key via Bluetooth or LF radio — programming requires advanced access beyond standard OBD but is fully supported for most common makes.

Found in: BMW (post-2014 CAS/FEM), Audi A4/A6/Q5, Land Rover Discovery/Range Rover, VW (post-2015), Mercedes C/E Class

DB Car Keys — Transponder Key Work

On-site cutting and programming across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Transponder key cutting and programming on-site by DB Car Keys Devon — AUTEL OBD equipment

Transponder Key ProgrammingAUTEL connected to vehicle OBD — chip programmed to ECU on-site at customer location

Range of car keys programmed by DB Car Keys — transponder keys, smart keys, flip keys and key cards

All Key Types CoveredTransponder blade keys, smart fobs, flip keys, Renault key cards and proximity keys

Common Vehicles We Cut & Program Transponder Keys For

The makes we most frequently see across Devon, Dorset and Somerset

🚗 Passenger Cars

Ford Fiesta / Focus / Mondeo Vauxhall Astra / Corsa Peugeot 207 / 208 / 308 Citroën C3 / C4 / Picasso VW Golf / Polo / Passat Audi A3 / A4 / Q3 BMW 1 / 3 / 5 Series Honda Jazz / Civic Hyundai i20 / i30 / Tucson Kia Picanto / Ceed Toyota Yaris / Corolla / Prius Renault Clio / Megane

Ford is by far the most common transponder key callout — particularly Fiesta and Focus across Exeter, Plymouth and Taunton.

🚉 Vans & Commercials

Ford Transit / Transit Custom VW Transporter T5 / T6 Vauxhall Vivaro / Movano Mercedes Sprinter / Vito Peugeot Boxer / Expert Citroën Dispatch / Relay Fiat Ducato / Scudo Renault Trafic / Master Nissan NV200 / Primastar Land Rover Defender

Ford Transit transponder programming is our most frequent commercial van callout — especially around Exeter's Marsh Barton and Plymouth's industrial zones.

Recent Transponder Key Callouts

Recent jobs completed across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Ford Focus — online spare key programmed to ECU

📍 Heavitree, Exeter 20 mins

Vauxhall Astra — spare key re-coded after battery work

📍 Dorchester, Dorset 25 mins

VW Golf — replacement key programmed, no original

📍 Newton Abbot, Devon 35 mins

Peugeot 208 — lost key, new transponder from VIN

📍 Taunton, Somerset 40 mins

Toyota Yaris — spare key coded after ECU re-map

📍 Weymouth, Dorset 30 mins

Ford Transit Custom — second transponder key added

📍 Sowton Industrial, Exeter 45 mins

Updated regularly · Call 07830249408 for ETA at your location across Devon, Dorset or Somerset

Dean — DB Car Keys

Mobile Auto Locksmith · Honiton, Devon

✓ 15+ Years Experience ✓ AUTEL Certified ✓ Xhorse Trained ✓ Fully Insured ✓ DBS Checked ✓ Thousands of Transponder Keys Programmed

“Dean arrives short notice. In the car, battery charged and home after a long flight. NOBODY does it better than the quiet confidence of Dean. Put the number on your phone.”— Peter Buxton ★★★★★

“I called 7 people tonight and Dean was the only one who actually seemed bothered to help me. Friendly, helpful and sorted out my issue within minutes.”— Ryan Higgins ★★★★★

What Our Customers Say

Verified reviews from drivers across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Makes We Program Transponder Keys For

Blank transponder key stock and programming software for UK vehicles

FordAll models VauxhallAll models PeugeotAll models CitroënAll models FiatAll models HyundaiAll models KiaAll models HondaAll models

BMWAll models

AudiAll models

VolkswagenAll models

MercedesAll models

ToyotaIncl. hybrid

NissanAll models

Land RoverDefender+

RenaultIncl. cards

SeatAll models

SkodaAll models

MazdaAll models

VolvoAll models

Don't see your make? Call 07830249408 — we confirm from your registration.

Transponder Key Service Areas

Transponder key cutting and programming at your location — all three counties

Devon

EX, PL, TQ postcodes — from Exeter's industrial estates to rural Dartmoor

Exeter Plymouth Torquay Exmouth Newton Abbot Barnstaple Honiton Sidmouth All Devon →

Dorset

DT postcodes — including the Jurassic Coast and rural West Dorset

Bridport Dorchester Weymouth Lyme Regis Charmouth West Bay Portland All Dorset →

Somerset

TA & BA postcodes — Glastonbury area, A303 corridor, Somerset Levels

Taunton Yeovil Bridgwater Chard Ilminster Wells Sherborne All Somerset →

Call 07830249408 to confirm · EX · PL · TQ · DT · TA · BA postcodes all covered

Transponder Keys — FAQs

Common questions about transponder key cutting and programming

If your car was manufactured after 1998 and has a plastic head (not just a bare metal blade), it almost certainly has a transponder chip inside. You can also check: try starting the car with just the metal blade removed from a flip key — the engine won't start without the transponder head. Or call 07830249408 with your registration and we'll confirm immediately.

Online spare keys are sold as unprogrammed blanks. The blade profile may be correct, but the transponder chip inside has never been paired to your vehicle's ECU. Without that pairing, the immobiliser blocks the engine from starting even if the key turns the ignition. We program these on-site in around 20 minutes. This is our most common callout.

A key cutting stall or general locksmith can cut the blade profile — but they almost never have the OBD diagnostic software needed to program the chip to your vehicle. You'll end up with a key that fits the lock perfectly but won't start the engine. For the complete job — blade cut and chip programmed — you need a specialist like DB Car Keys with AUTEL or Xhorse equipment.

For older fixed-code chips (pre-2005 vehicles), yes — we can clone an existing key to a blank chip. For modern encrypted rolling-code systems (most vehicles today), cloning is not possible because each transaction generates a unique code. Instead, we program a new key directly to the vehicle ECU via OBD — functionally identical to the original for daily use.

Yes. Using your vehicle's VIN and our AUTEL diagnostic equipment, we can program a completely new transponder key without any original key. This is standard for lost-key jobs. We verify your identity and vehicle ownership first, then complete the programming on-site. Available 24 hours across Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

No — programming a spare or replacement transponder key does not affect your car's immobiliser or security system in a way that would invalidate insurance. The original keys continue to work exactly as before. We can also disable any lost keys from the ECU for added security, which some insurers may view favourably.

Most transponder key programming jobs take 20–45 minutes once we arrive. Straightforward OBD programming (Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot etc.) is typically 20–30 minutes. More complex systems (BMW, VW Group encrypted keys) take 30–45 minutes. We give you an accurate time estimate when you call, before we arrive.