Used car sellers could be forced to splash out a whopping £252 if they have lost a vital tool likely found in every vehicle on the road.
Motorists who do not have a second set of keys to their vehicle may struggle to sell their model with prospective buyers “likely to be put off”.
This is because having a spare set of keys is considered “valuable” which will help bump up the price of vehicles.
According to Steven Edwards, editor at used car marketplace MOTORS, not having an extra car key could sign that the vehicle has not been properly looked after.
It means those selling the vehicle will have to splash out to replace the car keys immediately to make sure they sell their car for anywhere near the asking price.
Steven explained: “If you are missing the extra set of keys for your car you’ll want to get them replaced to avoid missing out on hundreds of pounds.
“New buyers are likely to be put off by the prospect of having to buy a spare pair of keys themselves, decreasing the value of your vehicle. Having a spare pair of keys is valuable for many reasons, not least if you go on to lose the original key.
“Missing keys can also give the impression that a vehicle hasn’t been well maintained, making it worth contacting the car manufacturer to ensure you’re selling a car with a spare pair of keys.”
According to WeBuyAnyCar, motorists can “significantly hurt” a vehicle’s resale value by not having one or both keys.
They warned those trying to sell a cat with just one key may find it “takes longer” to find a buyer.
Meanwhile, missing a set of keys completely will give the buyer a chance to negotiate a “significant discount”.
They added: “Unless the cost would make the sale unprofitable, obtaining replacement keys should be worth your while.”
BookMyGarage, the leading comparison site for car service and repairs, have claimed the price of a car key replacement can vary depending on the vehicle.
However, it is likely to cost motorists anywhere between £100 and £350 to secure the extra key they need.
Those looking for a remote key fob replacement will likely pay higher fees as this technology is slightly more costly to produce.
They added: “As a new key fob is not an inexpensive job, we would recommend comparing your options thoroughly before choosing a local locksmith so you can ensure you get the best deal.”
