How Long Does It Take to Get the Second Key When Buying a New Car?

[Jayden]

When purchasing a new car, owners typically receive two car keys, which are usually provided at the same time. Here is relevant information: 1. Reasons for not receiving the second key: The vehicle may have been used as collateral by the dealer. This type of collateral is not reflected on the motor vehicle registration certificate but involves the vehicle's certificate and the second key. Once the dealer releases the collateral, the owner can retrieve the second key and the vehicle's certificate, which does not affect the vehicle's registration. 2. Safe places to buy a car: Purchasing from a brand's 4S store is the best option, as these vehicles are shipped directly from the manufacturer to the dealer, bypassing any intermediate collateral procedures. Some car dealers or direct stores may use the new vehicle's certificate and second key as collateral when facing financial shortages, but this does not affect the sale of the vehicle.

[OBrooklyn]

When I first picked up my new car, the second key was given to me on the spot along with the temporary license plate. The sales guy took an envelope out of the drawer and handed it to me—both keys still had their plastic wrap intact. However, a friend of mine bought a car in another city, and the logistics forgot to send the spare key, which took three or four days to be delivered later. I recommend checking everything on the spot when picking up the car, including items like the fire extinguisher and reflective vest—don’t miss any of the accessories. Nowadays, many cars also come with digital keys, so remember to ask the salesperson to help you bind the phone’s Bluetooth key function. If you lose the physical key, you can still start the car in an emergency.

[EllaDella]

Last week, I accompanied a relative to pick up a Tesla, and the delivery center directly provided two card keys and mobile Bluetooth key access. Traditional 4S stores should hand over all keys upon delivery, but secondary dealers might have tricks—once, while helping a fan inspect a car, I found the spare key was mortgaged to the bank, and it took ten days to retrieve it. It's best to clearly list 'two smart keys' in the delivery checklist, as keys with keyless entry functionality are expensive to replace, with aftermarket keys costing at least seven to eight hundred yuan.

[DelNatalie]

I learned my lesson when buying a car! The 4S dealership claimed the spare key hadn't arrived with the vehicle from the manufacturer, delaying it for over half a month. Later, I found out it was due to mixed-up key codes during PDI inspection, requiring re-matching which took another week. Now I'm wiser - I clarify delivery standards before signing contracts. As a side note, key fob batteries typically last two years. With certain German brands, a dead key fob battery can even affect window operation - a pitfall many first-time buyers stumble into.

[MacRyan]

Don't panic if you didn't receive the second key when picking up the car, first check the attachment list in the purchase contract. Some car owners have encountered dealers using keys as collateral, in such cases, you need to urge them to complete the release procedures. Nowadays, smart keys come with engine anti-theft chips, making replacements particularly troublesome: you need to register the vehicle identification number (VIN) with the manufacturer, the 4S shop has to use diagnostic equipment to rematch the key serial code, and waiting for parts plus programming can take anywhere from three days to half a month. During this period, it's crucial to take good care of the only key you have.

[OJeffrey]

My neighbor picked up a hybrid car last month and got three keys—two remote keys plus an emergency card. Regular gasoline cars usually come with two keys, but parallel imports often have exceptions. The most absurd situation I've seen was when a stock car's keys got chewed up by rats, and we had to wait two months for replacement parts by sea freight. When taking delivery, remember to test each key's remote start and vehicle locator functions. If the dealership says the keys are on the way, make sure they note the latest delivery date on the handover form—you can request a loaner car as compensation if they exceed the deadline.