A key that fits the ignition but will not start the car often has a damaged chip. In Dubai, heat inside a parked car and daily knocks can wear the chip in a key head. This transponder chip key Dubai page explains chip repair, chip copy and key programming. WhatsApp is open 24/7 for photos of your key. Expect a clear estimate before any work starts.
Message us on WhatsApp or call 056 828 4120. Send a photo of the key and the car dashboard. The line is open 24/7.
A transponder chip key has a small chip inside the plastic head. The chip holds a code. When you turn the key, the car’s immobiliser reads that code. If the code matches, the engine can start. If it does not, the car stays locked out.
Cutting the metal blade alone is not enough. The chip must also be paired with the car. A plain copy may open the door but not start the engine.
This page is about the chip itself. To pair a new or spare key with your car, read car key programming. To copy a metal key you already hold, see car key duplicate.
If the spare key works, the car itself is fine. The faulty key then needs chip repair or a new chip.
Based on market pricing, costs can vary depending on vehicle or lock type, security technology, replacement requirements, service complexity, and parts required. Chip keys sit between a plain copy and a smart key. The table shows ranges published by Dubai providers in October 2026.
| Job | Typical market range | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Transponder key, cut and programmed | About AED 200 to 500 | Car make, chip type, key blank |
| Remote or flip key | About AED 200 to 650 | Brand, buttons, remote type |
| Smart or proximity key | About AED 500 to 1,200 or more | Car brand, system, number of keys |
| Replacement when all keys are lost | About AED 250 to 850 | Car model, immobiliser type |
These are published market figures, not a DubaiRepairs quote. We give you a clear estimate before any work starts.
A car parked in direct sun gets very hot inside. Heat and humidity can loosen the chip housing and crack plastic key heads. Keys also share pockets with phones and coins.
Drops on hard tile floors and tower car park ramps are common. A swim or a beach trip can also put water near the chip. A cracked head is a warning sign.
Copy or repair the key before it stops working. A spare key made now costs less than a replacement made after every key is lost.
Chip key questions come up often in these communities.
Not on the list? Message us your location and we will confirm.
Market ranges run from about AED 200 to 500 for a cut and programmed transponder key. Remote keys and smart keys cost more. The car, chip type and key style change the price. You see a clear estimate before any work starts.
Yes. You can call or message at any hour, 24/7. Photos of the key and the car can be sent at night too. Next steps and a clear estimate follow before any work.
A fixed time cannot be given before the key and car are known. Chip type, car make and the number of keys all change the work. Send photos on WhatsApp and we explain the next steps.
In many cases, yes. A new key can be cut and paired to the car even when no working key is left. It costs more than copying a key you hold. Send the car details and a photo of the dashboard.
A transponder key is turned in the ignition and carries a chip. A smart key stays in your pocket and the car senses it. Smart keys cost more and need more pairing work. Send a photo of your key.
A plain metal copy may open the door and turn in the ignition. It will not start the engine on a chip car, because the immobiliser needs the chip code. A cut blade and a paired chip are both needed.
Look at the plastic head. Most cars built since the late 1990s have a chip inside. A key with a thick plastic head, remote buttons or a security light on the dashboard usually has one. Send a photo if you are unsure.
Sometimes. If the key head is cracked but the chip still works, the chip can often be moved into a new housing. A dead chip means a new chip and fresh pairing. A photo helps us explain your options.
Chip systems differ between brands, and some European and luxury cars need more work. Send the make, model and year with a photo of the key. We then tell you what is possible before we begin.
Start with one photo on WhatsApp. You receive a clear estimate before any work starts. Message us on WhatsApp, call 056 828 4120, or read about car key duplication and ignition unlock. See all locksmith services in Dubai.
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