No master key

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by ifAbbie

Well, I would, but you may not understand

Try me..... I'm genuinely interested.

[LPTJoe]

Well this topic has certainly brightened up an otherwise dreary Saturday!

Gender specific 'splaining, professionally offended pearl clutching, and at the heart of it a riddle to unpick re the best resolution to the original problem... There's something here for everyone

11/10. Would read again.

[paddy74]

You need to get a new key, and I wouldn't want to wait long, sorry!

What you got is called the "mechanic key", as it is normally used to give a key to your mechanic, that does everything a mechanic would need, but it doesn't lock/unlock the glove box (and a few other things).

Unfortunate this is a well known scam in Germany. You get the car, the mechanic key and everything seems to be fine. After a few days/weeks you are missing your car. Guess how that happened? Someone came and opened your car with the correct key and drove it off.... Your address is normally in the paper works....

What you should do imho is go to a dealer, get a new key (yep, sorry, expensive) and let them programm the old key out. It is the cheaper way, but there is still a chance, that the old key can be used to open the car, but not to drive it (the physical key still fits the door locks, but the transponder is wrong, so car won't start).

The "get-it-all-done" solution would be to get a new set of keys and locks, but that is a very, very expensive thing to do.

Nonetheless I'd try to get the key from the seller. I don't know the laws in GB, but here in Germany you would have a good chance to get the seller to hand out the key or take the costs of the "get-it-all-done" repair.

[ifAbbie]

Originally Posted by paddy74

Nonetheless I'd try to get the key from the seller. I don't know the laws in GB, but here in Germany you would have a good chance to get the seller to hand out the key or take the costs of the "get-it-all-done" repair.

I contacted him today and he said I did the test drive with this plain key and I was mistaken. That this is the only one he has ever had. So that's not happening.

Ok everyone, thank you very much for the advice. I'm now thoroughly depressed and in need of a good stiff drink. Which I won't have because I'm driving later... But the idea sounds great.

I'll look into new keys.

The car is now fitted with a steering lock.

[barrybritcher]

I suggest a light tap to the knees with a hammer if the key is not forthcoming

[ifAbbie]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

I suggest a light tap to the knees with a hammer if the key is not forthcoming

hahaha

[Longhouse21]

Originally Posted by LPTJoe

My age old solution to this problem (Or only having one key for a car) is to wait until insurance is up for renewal and take the key cover for an extra £20 or so... Adrian Flux and all the usual suspects offer it.

Wait for a couple of months, call and say you've lost the key/fob- Enjoy an all expenses paid trip to the dealer to sort it out. I've used this method several times on several different cars- it works and everything is replaced for circa £20.

HTH.

Let me see....
You don't have a key for the car, so you haven't lost it?

You then take out insurance knowing that you don't have a key with the intention of then later declaring that you have lost it and would like to claim under the new insurance policy.

You then claim under the insurance for something that you never had in the first place, but pretend that you did.

Hmmm....I see. So if I purchase a house/caravan/car other large & expensive item for a knock down price or through my own lack of foresight that has been destroyed by fire/flood/explosion/or any other disaster I can take out insurance, wait a few months and make a claim t have it repaired/replaced or otherwise perfected at the cost of the insurance company.

WOW!

What a great idea!

I think you'll find it's misrepresentation, or the alternative name is fraud.

HTH

p.s. feel free to lambast me. I don't usually barge in but felt the need in this instance with such obvious and blatant proposed conduct.

p.p.s. Well said Lynn's Hubby

[paddy74]

@ifAbbie
I talked to a breaker today, and out of curiosoty I asked for a complete set of locks. He told me they normally don't remove the looks, but if someone wants them, they'd be happy to sell... Maybe this would be a way for you?

[ifAbbie]

Originally Posted by paddy74

@ifAbbie
I talked to a breaker today, and out of curiosoty I asked for a complete set of locks. He told me they normally don't remove the looks, but if someone wants them, they'd be happy to sell... Maybe this would be a way for you?

What a great idea. However, the clutch went and I cannot afford to get it fixed (vet bills also right now) so I am looking to sell probably as the previous owner from a week ago basically told me where to go

[Simmy]

sounds like you have had a bad experiance try to take a friend /mechanic when you buy your next car. not all volvos are bad i paid 2k for mine and iv had 6 good years with it .good luck with your next car