We answer at 3am
Open 24 hours, seven days a week, public holidays included
We come to you
The van carries the workshop, so nothing gets towed anywhere
4.9 Star Reviews
Verified Google reviews from around PE
You hear the price first
We quote before we drive out, and that number does not change
Key Casing Replacement
The shell wears out long before the electronics do
Your key lives in a pocket, gets dropped on tiles, sits in the sun and swings on a ring full of house keys. The plastic takes all of that. The board inside sits protected and usually carries on working perfectly for years after the outside has given up.
That is why a rattling, cracked, taped up key is so often a cheap fix.
What we see most often
The seam has split and the two halves separate in your hand
The keyring loop snapped and the key now lives loose in a bag
The rubber buttons wore through so you press harder each time
The flip key hinge broke and the blade flops or will not stay out
The battery cover disappeared and the battery moves around
The plastic went brittle after years in a hot car and cracked
What we move across
The transponder chip that starts your car, the circuit board that runs the buttons, the battery and the blade all move into the new shell. Nothing gets reprogrammed because nothing electronic changed. Your car carries on recognising the same key it always did.
When the board is damaged too
Water is the usual culprit, along with a heavy enough impact. If the board has corroded or cracked we will tell you straight, and then a new remote makes more sense than a new shell. That route is covered under remote vehicle key replacement.
A better shell than the one that broke
Where we can, we fit a housing that holds up better than the original, especially on models known for splitting at the seam. We also sort out the blade at the same time if it has worn down, which we cover under car key cutting.
Turning a loose fob and a bare key into one unit
If you carry a separate remote and a plain key, some cars allow us to move everything into a single flip key. One item on the ring instead of two, and less to lose.
It takes minutes, not days
Most casing swaps are finished while you wait. We come to you, open the old key carefully, move the parts across and hand it back working. No programming, no waiting period, no trip to a dealership.
How key casing replacement works
Send us a photo of your key or tell us the make, model and year.
We confirm we have a casing that matches and book a time.
We come to you at home, at work or at the car.
We open the old key without damaging the board inside.
We move the chip, the board, the battery and the blade into the new shell.
We test the buttons, the doors and the start before you go.
We're out this way most weeks — so you'll find us near:
What affects the price of key casing replacement?
Casing work is one of the cheaper jobs, and it depends on:
The kind of key, from a simple shell to a flip key with a hinge
Whether the blade needs cutting or moving across
Whether the board or the chip survived and can be reused
The make and model, since some housings are harder to source
Where you are in Port Elizabeth or Gqeberha
Send us a photo of the key and we will tell you what it needs.
GetKeys Auto Locksmith
51 Seaview Rd, Farms Port Elizabeth,
Gqeberha, 6390
084 513 4914
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
FAQS
Will I lose my programming if the casing is replaced?
No. The chip and the board move into the new shell exactly as they are, so your car carries on recognising the same key.
My key buttons need a hard press now. Can that be fixed?
Usually yes. The rubber contacts wear flat over thousands of presses, and a new casing brings back a normal light press.
My flip key hinge broke and the blade flops around. Can you repair it?
Yes. We fit a new flip housing and move your blade and electronics into it, which is far cheaper than a full new key.
How long does a casing swap take?
Normally a few minutes while you wait, because nothing has to be reprogrammed.
My key got wet. Can you still save it?
Sometimes. If the board corroded or cracked, a new remote is the better route, and we will tell you honestly which one you are looking at.
Can you combine my separate remote and key into one?
On many cars, yes. We move everything into a single flip key so you carry one item instead of two.