It was in 1949 that US car manufacturer Chrysler launched the first car key that, by itself, could be used to start a vehicle’s engine. Prior to this revolution in automotive technology, the car key was simply a way to activate the electrical circuit: the engine itself would have to be cranked by hand.
Car keys have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades, driven by rapid advances in technology and soaring demand from motorists for more innovative and intuitive designs. Some car manufacturers have ditched the classic key altogether in favour of high-tech fobs, while others are giving classic keys an aesthetic overhaul.
If your business reprogrammes replacement car keys and fobs, a major change in industry regulations will affect you in 2024 with the introduction of SERMI certification. Without this, you will no longer be authorised to access vehicle security information, so it is vital that you act quickly to prepare for the change.
In this article, we’ll explain what SERMI is, who it affects, and how you can register.
For garages who are striving to stay one step ahead of their rivals, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction are vital ingredients of business success. Adding spare car keys to your existing range of services could be a lucrative decision, but it is advantageous to buy spare keys from a wholesaler in bulk rather than individually, the reasons for which we will outline in this article.
In the garage services sector, customer satisfaction is the key to business success and profitability. While the focus often revolves around providing efficient repairs and maintenance, spare car keys are often overlooked as a valuable source of income and a vital service for increasing footfall to the forecourt.
The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly growing, accounting for approximately 17 per cent of all cars sold in the UK in 2022, a figure which is forecast to rise to 80 per cent by the end of the decade as the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles draws nearer. While the focus on EVs is often given to their reliance on battery power instead of conventional fuels, it is vital that garages and vehicle dealerships don’t overlook the wider implications, including the supply of replacement car keys.
In a competitive business landscape, doing things differently can help garages and vehicle dealerships to stand out from the crowd. While many offer broadly the same services for motorists, from essential repairs to annual servicing and MOT tests, car key programming is often left to specialist auto locksmiths, in part because the equipment is perceived to be expensive to purchase or complicated to use.
The advent of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years has been welcomed by campaigners for their reduced carbon footprint and potential to minimise transport’s negative impact on the environment. However, it is less well-known that EV technology, combined with more efficient and accurate connectivity, is also reshaping the landscape of car key programming.
Losing your car key is always an inconvenience, especially when it disrupts your daily routine and means you have to part with hard-earned money to purchase a replacement. A lost car key can upend your plans, send your stress levels soaring, and incur unexpected expenses, particularly if your vehicle features advanced security, such as keyless entry systems, transponder chips, or biometric recognition.
When a vehicle refuses to start, especially if the cause is an immobiliser-related issue, it can be a frustrating situation for both the motorist and the technician who is entrusted to solve the problem. Immobiliser systems are intricate and often integrated with a vehicle’s electronics, using a combination of technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), transponders, or unique codes to prevent ignition. The complexity of these systems makes diagnosing problems more challenging, so overcoming immobiliser issues requires specialist knowledge and tools.