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Bought a Used Car? Why Rekeying It Is a Smart First Move

Congratulations on owning a used car, with all the exitment you probably unaware of one important detail which is who else might still have a key to your car? The answer would be simple because nobody knows, but the good news here is, rekeying your car's locks is an inexpensive and fast procedure, ensuring that you are now the only one capable of opening it and driving it off the lot.

The underlying issue with the secondhand automobile

Usually, you get a single or maximum two sets of keys for a secondhand purchase, but keys can be easily duplicated and you cannot tell when the previous owner might have created any duplicates, shared it with someone in his or her family or even lost one of the keys at some point during their ownership period, you need to understand that all those duplicates would still work for opening your newly acquired vehicle, no one is implying that there are bad people out there, but it is just that one cannot ascertain anything.

How does rekey process function?

The process is where the lock's pins are reset in order to be able to use a completely new key, as a result the new key can work while any other of the old keys that have ever been used will no longer be functional, it is important to understand that the lock's hardware remain unchanged and only the key that operates it will change.

This is the move that gives you peace of mind: by rekeying your car, you ensure that no key from the past history of the vehicle still works with its locks. Any possible duplicates of the key cease to be effective immediately.

Reasons for rekeying your used car

The first thing that comes to mind is a freshly purchased used car, yet there are many situations when you should consider rekeying as well:

  • You are not sure about all keys in use on the vehicle previously.
  • One or several keys were either accidentally lost or stolen.
  • The situation is similar when you share your car and now have to give up ownership of it: a sold used car, leaving your apartment or firing your employee.
  • You want to restore the ability to use a single key after having several mismatched locks replaced.

When rekeying is needed more than replacing locks

Typically, rekeying involves resetting the existing mechanism, as opposed to lock replacement that requires removing the existing hardware and installing new locks. In case when the locks themselves function just fine, there is no need to pay extra for their replacement. Therefore, rekeying is definitely preferred whenever the hardware functions well enough.

The process itself

After assessing the condition of the door locks, the ignition switch, and any other lock mechanisms that you would like to rekey, the locksmith will reset each mechanism, cut a key matching the rekeyed lock, and then test if it opens. Most likely, a mobile locksmith will complete the entire job while you remain sitting in the driver's seat.

Why many used car owners choose rekeying

Rekeying is one of the easiest ways to secure your new used car, as well as ensuring that no spare keys from the past are available. The only downside to it is the cost associated with cutting the key itself. and combined with creating a spare key for your car, rekeying becomes both useful and indispensable.

Adding key registration when buying a used car

If you consider rekeying important enough, the best time to have the procedure done is straight after purchasing your new used car. Thus, you will take care of the procedure in one day, without wasting any time in the future.

If jyou ust bought a used car, then you woulfd be more than happy to hear thet we offer car lock rekey and spare key cutting across Seattle.

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