Dubai heat is hard on car keys, and a lost or cracked key is a bad surprise. If your car key still works and you want a second one, you need a car key duplicate. We make a working copy of your key so one problem never leaves you stuck. Message us on WhatsApp 24/7 with a photo of your key and your car details. We reply with next steps and a clear estimate before any work starts.
Message us on WhatsApp or call 056 828 4120. If you are stuck right now, message first. Our line is open 24/7.
A car key duplicate is a copy made from a key you already own. You hand over one working key and receive another that starts the same car. This is different from a replacement key, which is needed when no working key is left. If you have lost every key, talk to our emergency locksmith team about a replacement instead.
This page is for quick spares. To see how copying differs between key types, read our page on car key duplication. For house and office keys, see key duplication.
Making a copy while one key still works is almost always simpler. The car recognises the original, so there is a reference to work from. It also involves fewer steps than a full replacement, so it is worth doing early.
The method depends on the key. Modern cars use more than a cut blade.
Not sure which one you have? Send us a photo. To see how copying remote, flip and smart keys works, read copying remote, flip and smart keys. For programming on its own, see car key programming.
The steps are short. The key type and your car decide most of the job, so those come first.
A wrong chip type means the copy will not start the car, so the key photo and car details matter.
Based on market pricing, costs can vary depending on vehicle or lock type, security technology, replacement requirements, service complexity, and parts required. For a spare car key, the main factors are the key technology and your vehicle. The table shows typical ranges published by Dubai providers in October 2026.
| Key type | Typical market range | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Plain metal key | About AED 100 to 250 | Blade style |
| Transponder key with programming | About AED 200 to 500 | Chip type, car make and year |
| Remote key | About AED 200 to 650 | Remote model, pairing needs |
| Smart key | About AED 500 to 1,200 or more | Brand, year, fob supply |
These are published market figures, not a DubaiRepairs quote. We give you a clear estimate before any work starts.
Dubai heat is hard on keys and fobs. A key left on a dashboard in summer can crack its casing or weaken its battery. Plastic heads wear out and buttons stop responding. A spare means you can still drive while the damaged key is repaired.
Heat is not the only risk. Keys fall into drains, get left in gym bags and go through the wash. A spare turns each of those into a minor inconvenience. Key cloning or programming a new key later is simpler when you still hold a working one.
Keep the spare at home, not in the car or on the same ring. Test it in every lock and the ignition on the day you get it. Replace a worn or cracked key head early, before the chip is damaged. If a key is already stuck, see our ignition unlock page.
We help drivers across key Dubai communities. These are communities where car key questions often come up.
Not on the list? Message us your location and we will confirm.
Market prices run from about AED 100 for a plain metal key to AED 500 or more for remote and smart keys. The price depends on key technology, your vehicle and whether programming is needed. We give you a clear estimate on WhatsApp before any work starts.
No. A duplicate is copied from a working key. If you have no key at all, you need a replacement key, which is a different job with more steps and a higher market price. Message us with your car details and we will explain your options.
Cutting a blade is the quick part. A chip or fob adds steps, so a transponder, remote or smart key takes longer. No fixed time can be given until the key and car are known. Message us your key photo and car details and we will explain the job.
Vehicle compatibility depends on the car, not the brand name alone. Make, model, year and the immobilizer all play a part. Manufacturers restrict copying on some newer systems. Message us your car details and we will say what is possible.
Yes. WhatsApp and phone are both open 24/7, so a photo of your key can reach us at any hour. You get next steps and an estimate before any work starts, and the decision stays yours.
Yes, when the chip is matched and programmed correctly. After any copy, try the new key in the door, the boot and the ignition or start button, and press every button. Message us if anything does not respond.
Cloning copies the chip data from your current key onto a new chip. Programming instead registers a new key with the car so it accepts it. The right method depends on your car and its immobilizer system.
It depends on the key type. A plain metal key needs only the original in hand. Keys with a chip, remote or fob usually have to be paired with the car. Tell us your car details on WhatsApp and we will say exactly what is needed.
One spare kept safely at home is enough for most drivers. If several people drive the car, or a driver uses it daily, ask us about extra copies. Keep each spare away from the car and away from the original key ring.
Tell us straight away. Remote buttons need pairing with the car as a separate step. A worn button pad on the original key can also be the cause, so check the original key as well.
A photo of your key is all we need to begin your estimate. Message us on WhatsApp, call 056 828 4120, or see all locksmith services.
Dubai Repairs offers comprehensive repair services for homes, businesses, and personal items throughout Dubai, UAE. We handle everything from mobile phone and laptop repairs to plumbing, electrical, carpentry, furniture repair, and more.