Audi keys, by generation
Audi has used four broadly different immobiliser systems in the last 20 years. Knowing which one your car uses is what determines the price and the tool we bring:
- ID48 transponder (~1998–2010). A1, A2, A3 8L/8P, early A4 B6/B7, TT Mk1, older A6. Cheapest to spare-key — typically £180–£260 fitted. Mostly mechanical-cut HU66 blade with a chip in the head.
- BCM1 (~2008–2016). A4 B8, A5 8T, Q5 8R, early A6 C7, A8 D4. Slightly trickier. £260–£400. Some all-keys-lost work needs the EZS/dashboard out for direct EEPROM read.
- BCM2 / Component Protection (~2010–2018 Q7, ~2014+ rest of range). A3 8V, A4 B9, A6 C7 later, A7, A8 D4 later, Q5 FY, Q7 4M, e-tron. Online authorisation needed. £350–£550.
- MQB-evo / latest MLB-evo (~2019+). A4 B9 facelift, A6 C8, A7 C8, A8 D5, Q5 FY facelift, Q7 4M facelift, Q8, e-tron GT. Online SVM/GeKo authorisation. £400–£600.
What we do at your kerb
Almost every Audi key job can be done at your driveway. The exceptions are a handful of specific BCM2 jobs on early Q7 and A8 D4 that need the dashboard cluster out for direct read — even those we can usually still do mobile, just with a longer appointment slot. Standard sequence:
- Fixed-price quote on the phone from the registration
- Photo ID + V5C check on arrival (SERMI requirement)
- Read the immobiliser and (if needed) the BCM2 component-protected data
- Online authorisation through ODIS-Service SVM where the car requires it
- Cut the blade — laser-cut on HU162T for most modern Audis
- Program the new key, delete any lost keys, and pair the remote functions
- Full test — lock, unlock, start, KESSY pickup, panic, alarm
- 12-month warranty card and a printed invoice
Common Audi key replacement scenarios
Lost Audi key — A3, A4, Q3 or Q5
These are the most common calls we get. As long as one working key remains, we can program a fresh one at your kerb in under 90 minutes for most years. Typical price: £280–£420 fitted depending on whether it's a flip-remote, proximity smart key, or KESSY. We delete the lost key from the immobiliser as standard so it can't be used against you.
All keys lost — Audi Q7 or A6
We do these regularly. Both cars use BCM2 component protection (Q7 from 2010, A6 from late 2011), so it's an online job. Expect £450–£600 fitted, and a manufacturer-mandated waiting period of around 17 minutes once we initiate the procedure. You'll be driving the same day.
Damaged or water-damaged Audi remote
Buttons broken, casing cracked, or the key went through the wash? Often it's just the remote housing — we can transplant the electronics into a fresh OEM-quality case from £55 plus the case. If the electronics are dead, a full new key/remote runs the same as a spare.
Tooling we use on Audi
- VXDIAG VCX SE Audi with ODIS-Service & ODIS-Engineering — genuine manufacturer interface with active SVM/GeKo online connection
- CGDI Prog with the Audi BCM2 software package for direct BCM2 read/write and key learning
- Xhorse VVDI2 for IMMO3/4/5 generation and dealer-key calculation
- Abrites AVDI as a back-up for the harder BCM2 and MMI pairing jobs
- HU66 and HU162T laser cutter for all modern Audi blade types
- Full stock of OEM-quality Audi key blanks: 3-button flip remotes, 4-button proximity smart keys, KESSY emergency blades
Why come to us instead of Audi main dealer
Three reasons:
- Price. Audi main dealer all-keys-lost on a Q5 or Q7 typically quotes £700–£1,100 plus recovery if you can't drive the car in. We do the same job kerbside for £450–£600.
- Speed. Audi often has a 1–2 week lead time on a fresh key cut and authorised. We do it the same day or next day in 95% of cases.
- Convenience. No recovery vehicle, no waiting at the service desk, no second car needed. We come to you at home, work or the supermarket car park.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a spare Audi key in 2026?
Most spare Audi keys we cut and program at your kerb come in between £250 and £400 fitted. Older A3 8P and A4 B8 are at the lower end; modern Q5/Q7 with proximity KESSY and Component Protection authorisation are at the higher end. We quote a fixed price from your registration before we travel.
My Audi has Component Protection — can you still do it?
Yes. We run ODIS-Service with an active SVM/GeKo online subscription, which is what Audi themselves use to authorise component-protected modules. We do these every week.
Can you do all-keys-lost on a 2018 Audi Q7?
Yes, kerbside. The Q7 4M uses BCM2 component protection so it's an online job and there's a roughly 17-minute waiting period the car forces. Total time on site is usually 90–120 minutes. Typical price £550–£600 fitted with a 12-month warranty.
Do you cover Audi RS and S models?
Yes — they're mechanically the same as the base car for key work. RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, SQ5, SQ7 are all routine.
My Audi key fob is dead, not lost — what's the fix?
First try a fresh battery (CR2032 in most). If it still doesn't work it's usually the remote board, not the chip — the immobiliser will still let you start the car with the key blade. We can either replace just the remote shell (£55+ plus housing) or refurbish the board if it's a known fault. Both are cheaper than a brand-new key.
Will you delete the keys from a used Audi I just bought?
Yes — and you should. Even if the seller hands over two keys, you can't be sure they haven't kept a copy. We delete every key the car knows about and program your two as the only working keys. Takes about 30–45 minutes. £120–£180.