Vauxhall Vectra 2002-2008 Car Keys Price and Problems

Vauxhall Vectra 2002-2008 Car Key Price and Problems

Looking for information about Vauxhall Vectra car keys? Here’s our factfile, covering price, problems, speed of replacement and how difficult lost keys is to overcome.

Vauxhall Vectra

Vauxhall Vectra Car keys Basic Information

The Vauxhall Vectra uses two types of key, both have buttons. The earlier type of key is really horrible

Old style Vectra C Key

The buttons are soft latex rubber and wear through easily. We’re asked alot to repair these but we don’t. This is because the replacement cases are really bad quality and the repair is not very good. Also, the replacement parts are no longer available if you just want to replace the transmitter.

They changed over to a new type of key in 2005. However, there are lots of companies out there that will fix your old Vectra key such as the company below. Disclaimer. We don’t know anything about this company, we’ve simply done a google search and found them on-line as an example. Other key repair services are available.

https://www.remotekeyrepairs.com/shop/vauxhall/vauxhall-3-button-key-repair-service/

New Style Vectra Key

The new style of remote key has a blade that folds, and brings it in-line with the Astra and Zafira keys.

Vauxhall Flip Key

These keys can be a problem. Unlike the earlier Vectra B which used a small solid transponder, this model of Vectra uses a transponder chip built into an integrated circuit. This means that if the circuit board gets damaged by getting dropped etc, the car won’t start. When the key plays up, the car won’t crank, and the small key light flashes. This also happens when an unprogrammed key is put into the ignition.

Vectra Key Light

There is also a padlock light on the later models.

When the keys behave ok, they’re fine, but when they start to play up, it won’t be long until they leave you stranded. Check out our video below that explains how to spot a dodgy key. Although Vectra isn’t mentioned, it applies to the Vectra model the same.

Vauxhall Vectra Car Keys Factfile Scores

Spare Keys

Most Vauxhall Car keys are reasonably priced and the Vauxhall Vectra 2002-2008 is fairly cheap in our opinion. Dealer keys are readily available and they’re easy to programme as long as codes are available. Expect to pay around £130 for a remote key, cut and coded.

This is just about the later style of key, as most of the earlier style of key have now gone to landfill. These keys have two problems. Firstly the flip out blade becomes loose and wobbly. It also stops flicking out like it should. The second problem is more serious. If the key is dropped or gets wet, the circuit board inside gets damaged. When this happens, the car won’t start. We’ve found the keys last between five and six years, which earns three stars.

With spare keys, it’s a tale of two halves. The later models from 2005 onwards can have keys cut and coded without needing the codes from the dealer. Specialist equipment can extract the security code from the car. However, the earlier models don’t always give up the codes, so the security Car Pass is needed.  To get this, there are some hoops to jump through to get them from the dealer. This is the same throughout all the Vauxhall range

Two types of Car Pass

Vauxhall Car Pass Style 1

Vauxhall Car Pass Style 2

In order to get the codes from the dealer, you’ll need to present the V5 ( logbook), driving licence and a utility bill. Make sure that all three documents have the same name and address. The codes will need to be paid for in advance, at around £30, and you’ll normally be waiting 24 hours. Having to order the codes from the dealer will affect the price and speed of getting a spare key.

Again, this can go two ways. If the codes are available then it’s a nice easy job. However, if there are no codes, and the Auto Locksmith you choose has little experience, then they’ll need to wait for the codes. You may be waiting a couple of days overall. Therefore we give it three stars.

Lost Keys

We score this with one star, simply because it can be tricky, depending on how experienced the Auto Locksmith is, the age of the car and if you need the Car Pass. The stumbling block is on the early Vauxhall Vectra 2002-2005, where they used an old fashioned type of key blade. We’ll call this an HU43 blade. This type of lock is very difficult to pick and also make a key for. As well as this, because it’s old, many newer Auto Locksmiths haven’t worked on them. However, the good news is that after 2005, they changed to the later style of blade, which is easier to pick and make a key for.

Therefore lost keys is a problem, not simply because of cutting the key, more on that in a bit. If the key number is available, then even your Aunt Mabel can cut it.  However, if there are no codes, or the lock’s been changed,  this is a difficult job.

Once you have a key that turns the ignition, there may be more problems. As we’ve said, the early style of Vectra 2002- 2005 do not always give up the immobiliser code, even with excellent equipment. Therefore if you have an early Vectra, you may struggle to get a replacement key without the codes.  However, once you have the code, the programming is easy.

The dealers cannot supply a key without the codes.

Click here to Find out here how Vauxhall Vectra C  keys, compare to other car keys we’ve reviewed

Watch Out For

If you have a Vauxhall Vectra, and sometimes the car won’t crank, it may be the start of the key playing up. This problem will start off with it happening just occasionally, and then get worse, week by week. It’ll be much cheaper to get a replacement key while the car still starts, instead of paying someone to come out, or paying for a breakdown lorry.

The good news is that the later style Vectra key can be repaired easily and cheaply. Your local Auto Locksmith should be able to do this for you.

Vauxhall Vectra C Key Battery change

Here’s a video to show you how to change a Vauxhall Vectra key battery. We hope this info helps.