Volkswagen Car Key Exeter — Replacement, Programming & Lockout
Mobile VW key specialist covering Exeter and Devon — HU66, HU162T, MQB transponder, remote fob and smart key. On-site, fixed price, available 24 hours.
Volkswagen is one of the most common vehicle brands on Devon's roads — and one of the most technically varied when it comes to key programming. From a Golf MK5 with a worn HU66 blade to a Transporter T6.1 with all keys lost, a Polo flip key with a broken hinge or a Tiguan with a failed smart key — we carry the VAG-specific diagnostic equipment to resolve it at your vehicle, same day, at a fixed price agreed before we travel.
VW Models We Cover in Exeter
Key types and programming systems vary significantly across Volkswagen's model range and platform generations. Every model below is covered across Exeter and Devon.
Don't see your VW? Call 01392 925673 — we cover the full Volkswagen range.
The 12 models above cover the most frequently attended VW jobs across Exeter and Devon. We cover every Volkswagen model sold in the UK — all variants, special editions and older discontinued models. Below is the full list of additional VW models we programme and service.
VW Key Systems — What You Need to Know
Volkswagen's immobiliser system has evolved through six generations since 1995. The generation your VW uses determines the key type, blade profile and programming method required.
VW VAG immobiliser — the system explained
Volkswagen uses the VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) immobiliser system, shared across Audi, SEAT and Škoda. When a new key is cut, the transponder chip must be programmed to the vehicle's immobiliser ECU before the engine will start. Without this, the immobiliser warning light stays on and the engine will not fire — even with a perfectly cut blade. The programming method changes significantly between immobiliser generations. See Volkswagen UK for model information.
VW immobiliser generation timeline
No immobiliser
IMMO2 — ID33 chip
IMMO3 — Megamos 48 (ID46)
IMMO4 — Hitag 2 / ID46
IMMO5 — MQB platform
IMMO6 / MEB (EV) / MQB Evo
Key blade profiles we carry for VW
- HU66 — standard VW blade used on Golf MK3–MK5, Polo 6N/9N, Passat B5/B6, Bora, Touran MK1 and Transporter T5. Double-sided wave profile.
- HU162T — current VW blade used on Golf MK6+, Polo MK6, Passat B7/B8, Tiguan, Transporter T6/T6.1 and most current VW models. Laser-cut high-security profile.
- Smart / Proximity — push-button start with passive entry. Touareg (all generations), Arteon, Touareg, higher-spec Golf/Passat/Tiguan, all ID series. Seed/token OBD programming required.
MQB platform — what it means for key programming
The MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) architecture introduced from 2013 on Golf MK7 brought a fundamentally different key security system. Earlier VAG models could be programmed via standard OBD sequences. MQB vehicles require a seed/token exchange with the vehicle's BCM (Body Control Module) — a protocol that demands VAG-specific diagnostic equipment. The DVLA vehicle registration system is used to verify ownership before any all-keys-lost work begins.
HU162T: Laser-cut high-security blade — Golf MK6/7/8, Polo MK6, Passat B7/8, T6/T6.1
Flip key: HU66 or HU162T blade folds into fob body — Golf MK5/6, Polo common
Smart key: No blade, passive detection — Touareg, Arteon, ID series, higher-spec Golf MK8
VW key replacement pricing varies depending on the model, year, immobiliser generation and key type required. MQB platform vehicles (Golf MK7+, Polo MK6, Tiguan MK2) involve a more complex programming process than pre-MQB models, which is reflected in the quote.
Key types we quote on request:
- › HU66 transponder key (Golf MK5 era)
- › HU162T transponder key (Golf MK6+ era)
- › Smart / proximity key (Touareg, Arteon)
- › Transporter T5 / T6 van keys
- › All-keys-lost (any VW model)
Call 01392 925673 with your VW model and year for an immediate fixed quote. No call-out fee. Price confirmed before we travel.
Common VW Key Problems We Fix in Exeter
These are the specific Volkswagen key faults we attend most frequently across Exeter, Devon and Somerset.
How We Programme VW Keys On-Site
The process differs across VW's six immobiliser generations. Here is exactly what happens when you call us for a Volkswagen key in Exeter or Devon.
ⓘ For all-keys-lost VW jobs, Step 3 includes an all-keys-delete sequence before the new key is programmed as the sole authorised credential. Ownership verification is required before this step.
VW Services Available in Exeter
Every service available for all Volkswagen models across Exeter, Devon and Somerset.
Frequently Asked Questions — VW Car Keys Exeter
How much does a VW car key replacement cost in Exeter?
Volkswagen key replacement pricing varies depending on your model, year, immobiliser generation and key type. MQB platform vehicles (Golf MK7 and MK8, Polo MK6, Tiguan MK2) require a more complex seed/token programming process than pre-2013 models, which affects the quote. We provide a fixed all-in price on the phone before travelling — covering the visit, labour and all parts. No call-out fee. Call 01392 925673 with your VW model and year for an immediate quote. See our pricing page for further information.
Can you programme a VW key without the original key?
Yes — in the majority of cases. For pre-MQB Volkswagen models (Golf MK3–MK6, Polo up to MK5, Transporter T5), all-keys-lost programming is carried out via standard VAG OBD protocol without needing a working key present. For MQB-platform vehicles (Golf MK7/8, Polo MK6, Tiguan MK2, Transporter T6/T6.1), we use a seed/token OBD exchange with the vehicle's BCM. For VW ID series (MEB platform), a separate protocol applies. We confirm the specific method and price on the call before travelling.
My VW Golf MK7 or MK8 immobiliser light is on — what does that mean?
The immobiliser warning light on a Golf MK7 or MK8 (and other MQB-platform VW models) typically indicates that the vehicle's BCM has lost the key's programmed credential. This most commonly occurs after a flat battery, after a battery change, or after any ECU or BCM diagnostic work. The key itself is usually fine — it is the synchronisation between the key and the BCM that needs restoring. We carry out this re-sync via MQB OBD protocol at your vehicle. In most cases, no new key is needed. Call us before ordering a replacement.
Do you cover VW Transporter T5, T6 and T6.1 van keys in Exeter?
Yes — VW Transporter key jobs are among our most frequent commercial callouts across Exeter and Devon. We cover T5 (HU66 blade, IMMO4 system), T6 (HU162T, IMMO5) and T6.1 (HU162T, MQB-adjacent system) across all trim levels and engine variants. All-keys-lost on a Transporter T5 or T6 at a Devon trade premises is a situation we attend regularly. We programme new keys at your location — on a Marsh Barton forecourt, a Sowton industrial site, or wherever the van is parked. Typical response time to Marsh Barton is 15–20 minutes.
What is the difference between HU66 and HU162T for VW?
HU66 is the older Volkswagen blade profile used on models up to approximately 2010 — including Golf MK3 through MK5, Polo 9N, Bora, Passat B5 and B6, and Transporter T5. It has a double-sided wave-cut profile. HU162T is the current high-security laser-cut profile used on Golf MK6 and newer, Polo MK6, Passat B7 and B8, Tiguan, Transporter T6 and T6.1. Both profiles require specific cutting equipment — we carry both. If you are unsure which profile your VW uses, tell us the model and year on the call and we will confirm immediately.
Do you cover VW Caddy and Crafter commercial vans?
Yes — VW Caddy and Crafter are both covered across all generations. Caddy MK3 (HU66, IMMO4), Caddy MK4 and MK5 (HU162T, IMMO5/MQB). Crafter MK1 (2006–2017) used a Mercedes-derived architecture — different key system from the rest of the VW range. Crafter MK2 (2017+) moved to a fully VW MQB-derived platform with HU162T cutting and MQB protocol. We carry equipment for both Crafter generations. All-keys-lost on a Crafter anywhere in Exeter or Devon is a situation we handle.
Is a VW replacement key from you as good as a VW dealer key?
Yes — the credential programmed to your VW's immobiliser ECU or BCM is identical whether programmed by us or by a Volkswagen dealer. Both methods use VAG OBD diagnostic protocols to communicate with the immobiliser system. The physical key blanks we use are supplied by professional automotive key manufacturers using the same HU66 or HU162T profiles as the OEM supply chain. The only difference is the price and the convenience of on-site service rather than a dealer workshop visit.
Do you cover VW ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 electric vehicles?
Yes — the VW ID series (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5) uses the MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform with a smart key / keyless entry system that differs from the MQB-based petrol and diesel models. Key programming on ID series vehicles requires EV-specific diagnostic protocols. We carry the equipment for MEB platform key work. If you have an ID series VW with a key fault, call us with the model and year — we will confirm coverage and the specific method on the call before quoting a price.
Need a VW Key in Exeter or Devon?
Tell us your Volkswagen model and year when you call. We confirm the immobiliser generation, key type and programming method, then give you a fixed price — before we travel. No call-out fee, no dealer markup, available 24 hours.