Car keys by make
Nissan Key Replacement: Who Can Do It and What It Costs
Nissan keys range from transponder and flip keys to the Intelligent Key, Nissan's keyless fob on the Qashqai, Juke and others. Nissan was one of the first five brands in UK SERMI from 1 April 2026, so auto locksmiths in the scheme can reach its key data. A key cut and programmed costs £100 to £282 (WhoCanFixMyCar; StageMyCar).
What is a Nissan Intelligent Key?
Intelligent Key is Nissan's name for its keyless fob. With it in your pocket you unlock with a button on the door handle and start with the push button. It has been fitted to many Qashqai, Juke, X-Trail, Micra and Leaf models, though not to every trim. Inside is a metal blade for the door if the fob battery dies. Older Nissans and base trims use a transponder key, often a flip key with remote buttons, and the oldest a plain key with a chip in the head.
Can an independent auto locksmith replace one?
Yes, for most Nissans. A spare key or fob for a Qashqai or Juke is common work for UK auto locksmiths, and all-keys-lost jobs on many models are done where the car is parked. The Qashqai, built in Sunderland, is the model named most often in the Nissan key searches measured for this site, alongside the Micra. Newer models with more complex body electronics can need up-to-date access, which is where Nissan's place in SERMI helps. Give the registration when you call so the locksmith brings the right fob.
What does SERMI mean for Nissan?
Nissan was one of the five brands live in UK SERMI when the scheme started on 1 April 2026, alongside Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover and Toyota. SERMI lets checked independent operators, auto locksmiths included, reach a manufacturer's key programming and immobiliser data. To join, the business's legal representative and each technician need a basic DBS check, and there are audits over a five-year term. For a Nissan owner, a locksmith who can show a SERMI certificate has a recognised route to Nissan's own key data.
What should you bring?
Have the V5C in your name ready, with photo ID. If the Nissan is on a Motability lease or a company scheme, the keeper on the V5C will be the leasing company, so call them first: they may arrange the key themselves, or tell you what authority the locksmith needs. Note whether your car has a push-button start, since that tells the locksmith whether to bring an Intelligent Key or a standard key. If keys were stolen, report it first and keep the crime reference for the locksmith and your insurer.
What does a Nissan key cost?
This site's sourced figures cover all makes. A key cut and programmed costs £100 to £282 (StageMyCar's locksmith floor to WhoCanFixMyCar's 2026 booking average), and programming alone averages £250 (WhoCanFixMyCar). An Intelligent Key costs more than a basic transponder key, because the fob itself is more complex. Dealers often charge more than independents, says StageMyCar, a trade blog weighted lower here. Ask for one price that covers the fob, its emergency blade and the programming, and whether a night or weekend call-out costs extra.
Common questions
Can a locksmith programme a Nissan Intelligent Key?
Yes, for most models. Independent auto locksmiths supply and programme Intelligent Keys for the Qashqai, Juke and other Nissans, and Nissan's place in UK SERMI gives those in the scheme access to its data.
My Nissan says the key is not detected. Is the key broken?
Often the fob battery is simply low. The handbook explains a backup way to start the car with a weak fob. If a fresh battery does not help, the fob may need replacing and programming.
What does a Nissan Qashqai key cost?
There is no Qashqai-only sourced figure. Across makes, a key cut and programmed costs £100 to £282 (WhoCanFixMyCar; StageMyCar). An Intelligent Key usually costs more than a standard flip key.