Quick answer: No, not for Japanese, Korean and most American cars. We supply the new fob and program it to your car wherever it’s parked in Perth, and you don’t need the original to do it. European and Chinese cars are the exception: the dealer does those fobs, and we still unlock them.
Updated 9 November 2026
A lot of people ring the dealer first because that’s where the fob came from. RAC WA says a dealership or an automotive locksmith can copy an electronic key from your spare, and tells you to shop around.
What is a car key fob?
Fob is the word most people use for the remote on their car key, or for the push button smart key that stays in a pocket or handbag. Inside there are two separate parts. A chip talks to the car’s immobiliser, and that’s what lets the engine start. A small battery runs the lock and unlock buttons and the keyless entry.
A new fob only works once it’s programmed to your car. Our page on remote keys and fobs covers the different types, and car key programming explains how a new one is matched to the car.
Do I have to go to the dealer?
Not for the makes we cover. Going through the dealer usually means getting the car to them, which can mean a tow if there’s no working key. Sometimes there’s a wait while the fob is ordered in too.
We come to the car instead, at home or at work. Most keys are cut and programmed in about half an hour once we’re at the car. It’s usually a lot less than going through a dealer, and no towing. We agree the price before we start. See how long a new car key takes, or what decides the cost of a replacement car key.
Call 0427 580 823What decides the cost
Genuine or aftermarket fob?
Genuine means the fob made by your car’s maker, the same part the dealer sells. Aftermarket means a fob made by another company to suit your car. Once it’s programmed, an aftermarket fob does the same job: it locks, unlocks and starts the car.
What fits depends on the make, model and year, so we tell you what will work on your car before we start. If you’d rather have the genuine part, say so and we’ll tell you what’s possible for your model.
Lost the only fob?
We can still make one, because a new fob is programmed straight into the car and the original isn’t needed. We did that recently for the owner of a 2015 Kia Cerato. The only key was shut in the boot and the boot release had failed, so we programmed a new remote into the car first, used it to open the boot, then made a spare so the customer had two.
Here’s what’s involved if you’ve lost all your car keys. And if you’re down to one fob, here’s why a spare is worth getting now.
Which cars do we do fobs for?
Japanese, Korean and most American cars. Think Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Honda, plus Hyundai and Kia, and most Ford and Holden models.
For European and Chinese cars the fob is a dealer job. We can still open any car, and we don’t damage your car doing it. See car lockouts, or our car locksmith Perth page for all the car work we do.
Apartment and building fobs are different
The tag you use for the lift, the carpark gate or the lobby door belongs to the building’s own system, not your car, and we don’t do those. If it’s something we don’t do, or we’re not available when you call, we’ll always try to point you to someone who can help.
What to have ready
Your make, model and year when you ring. On the day the car needs to be there, along with your licence and the rego papers, so we know the car is yours.
Where we work
We’re based in Duncraig, Western Australia, and do car key fob replacement right across Perth, north and south.
Common questions
Is a key fob the same as a remote key?
Mostly, yes. Fob is just what a lot of people call the remote on their key, or the push button smart key.
Can you program a new fob if I’ve lost the only one?
Yes, for Japanese, Korean and most American cars. We program the new fob into the car itself, so we don’t need the old one.
What’s the difference between a genuine and an aftermarket fob?
Genuine is the car maker’s own part. Aftermarket is made by another company to suit the car. We tell you what fits your car before we start.
Can you do a fob for a European or Chinese car?
No, those fobs are a dealer job. We can still unlock any car, and we don’t damage it. If it’s something we don’t do, we’ll always try to point you to someone who can help.
Do you copy apartment or building fobs?
No. Lift, carpark and lobby tags are part of the building’s system, and we don’t do them.
What if my fob battery is flat?
Check the battery first. RACV says key cutters and auto retailers can swap one in a few minutes. Until then the metal key hidden inside the fob gets you in, and on a push button car you can press the start button with the fob instead of your finger. If a new battery doesn’t fix it, the fob may need reprogramming or replacing, which we do at the car for the makes we cover.