Mercedes Key Replacement Melbourne

Mercedes key replacement is the job that makes people audibly gasp at the dealer quote.

We're not exaggerating. A Mercedes dealer in Melbourne can charge $1,500-$3,000 for a key replacement. Three thousand dollars. For a key. That's a holiday. That's a decent second-hand car. That's more than some people's monthly mortgage payment.

And the wait? 3-7 business days in many cases. Because Mercedes dealers often need to order the key blank from their supply chain and book a programming slot.

Buzz has been doing Mercedes keys across Melbourne for 22 years. Over 30,000 keys cut, and Mercedes is always one of the brands people are most relieved to find an alternative for. Same-day, mobile, 3-year warranty, and a price that won't make you feel physically ill.

Why Mercedes Keys Are Unique

Mercedes-Benz went its own way with key technology. While most brands use a standard transponder-to-immobiliser setup, Mercedes added layers of complexity:

Infrared (IR) keys. This is the big one. Older Mercedes models (W202 C-Class, W210 E-Class, W163 ML) used an infrared signal between the key and the car's Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS). The key doesn't just have a transponder chip, it has an IR emitter that communicates with the EIS module. This is a completely different technology to what Toyota or Hyundai uses.

Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS). The EIS is the module in the steering column that reads the key signal. On older Mercedes, the EIS can develop faults that make key replacement more involved. It's not just about the key, sometimes the lock side needs attention too.

Chrome key (smart key). Modern Mercedes models use the distinctive chrome smart key. Proximity entry, push-button start, recognisable from across a car park. These communicate via encrypted radio frequency rather than infrared. The programming is different from the IR era but equally specialist.

Keyless Go. Mercedes's name for their proximity entry system. Higher-spec models get Keyless Go as standard; lower specs sometimes miss out and get a chrome key that still needs inserting. Knowing which system your car has matters for replacement.

Common Mercedes Models We Service

• • A-Class (W176, W177)
• • B-Class (W246, W247)
• • C-Class (W202, W203, W204, W205)
• • E-Class (W210, W211, W212, W213)
• • GLA (X156, H247)
• • GLB (X247)
• • GLC (X253)
• • GLE / ML (W163, W164, W166, V167)
• • CLA (C117, C118)
• • Sprinter (W906, W907)
• • Vito

The full passenger and commercial Mercedes range sold in Australia up to 2022.

Mercedes Sprinter and Vito Keys

Worth calling out separately because these are commercial vehicles, not passenger cars. A lot of Melbourne tradies, couriers, and delivery drivers use Sprinters and Vitos. When the key dies, the van sits. And the van sitting means money not being earned.

Sprinter and Vito key replacement is a different job to the passenger cars, different key platform, different immobiliser, but we handle it all the same. Mobile, same-day, fair price. When your work van is your livelihood, you can't afford to wait five days for a dealer slot.

The Mercedes Dealer Quote

There's a moment we hear about all the time. Someone loses their Mercedes key. They call the dealer. The person on the phone says a number. There's a long pause.

"Sorry, how much?"

"$2,200."

Another pause.

"...are there other options?"

Yes. There are. That's why you're on this page.

Quick Car Keys doesn't charge Mercedes prices for a Mercedes key. We charge a fair price for the actual work involved. The key is programmed properly, it works exactly as the dealer one would, and it's covered by a 3-year warranty on parts and labour.

The difference is we don't have a showroom on City Road to pay for.

Frequently Asked Questions