Key cutting without an existing key?

[DeanR32]

Good afternoon all

I’ve just bought an old Audi project. It’s a lovely thing, although it only had a key for the doors. I need an ignition key for it. Is it possible to get a key for it without one to duplicate? Can it be done with just the barrel to copy? Would Audi be able to help with just maybe the chassis number?

Any help welcome
Cheers

[InitialDave]

Depending on exactly what model and age it is, it may be possible to have an ignition cylinder assembled to match the door key you have, a lot of older cars use interchangeable "wafers" in a stack.

[hairy v]

Try talking to: https://theautolocksmith.co.uk/vehiclestypes/audi-...

[DeanR32]

Cheers for the replies

The car is a 1973 Audi 100 coupe S. I’m thinking, if they were to need the barrel to sort it, it may be easier to buy second hand barrel with key.

It certainly wouldn’t be the only part I need for it!

[Benspickup]

I use a locksmith in lincoln, the car key man or something his business is called.

Give him a ring and post the barrel out, he has done a few for me over the years

[Miserablegit]

Give the Audi dealer a call.
I recall going to an Austin rover dealer in 98 and they were able to source an ignition key for my ‘72 stag from the key number.

[Missy Charm]

I had a key made for a Ford years ago by a mobile locksmith. The car had a mismatched lock on the boot, and was bought second hand with the boot key missing. Man in van type locksmith came round, used various tools to establish what would fit the lock and then made up a key on the spot using a cutting machine. No removal of the boot lock was necessary.

This was a good few years ago, but there are presumably still such enterprises running. Old car locks tend to be fairly simple (worse luck).

[john2443]

I think it's more expensive to have a key cut to fit the barrel than just make a copy but a car locksmith can work backwards from the lock to make a key.

More difficult with modern cars that have security electronics but the mechanical part is straightforward.

[thegreenhell]

They showed something like this on Car SOS recently when they took on a car without keys, possibly the Mondeo. They used a mobile auto locksmith who made it look quite straightforward to do.

[Lester H]

Last summer my daughter lost both keys. The car was unlocked, in an obscure rural location. Eventually a ‘man in van’ locksmith was persuaded to come out, albeit the next day, and he got the car going. However, the remote didn’t work and for some technical reason was not curable by him. The saga continued with my looking at Google advice , interestingly, almost all rubbish, and talking to trade friends,but to no avail. Another couple of days passed before another mobile locksmith could come out and he succeeded in getting the key to ‘talk’ to the transponder for a further £70. What a faff! So, yes it is possible but it is very frustrating.

[555 Paul]

thegreenhell said:

They showed something like this on Car SOS recently when they took on a car without keys, possibly the Mondeo. They used a mobile auto locksmith who made it look quite straightforward to do.

Rover SD1. It was good to see how they read the lock to cut the new key.

[ncbbmw]

DeanR32 said:

Good afternoon all

I’ve just bought an old Audi project. It’s a lovely thing, although it only had a key for the doors. I need an ignition key for it. Is it possible to get a key for it without one to duplicate? Can it be done with just the barrel to copy? Would Audi be able to help with just maybe the chassis number?

Any help welcome
Cheers

If your still looking take off the steering lock and speak to these people.

They should be able to dismantle the lock, rebuild it to a random key number and supply new blades etc.

https://www.boltonlock.co.uk/auto-trade-locksmith-...