I have a 2012 Golf. My daughter just lost one of the remote keys.

Talked to a local dealership here in Columbus, OH: key, programming, tax = $200!!! For a key!!!!

Looked online--there seems to be dozens of after-market sellers advertising remote keys, $10-$20. All of them say the owner can easily program it himself.

Called dealer again. He says that these keys will not work, must get new key from VW. Called a local independent VW repair shop--MotorKars--they agreed with the dealer.

Just wanted to check here since I got some solid, friendly advice a few years ago when I first bought the car: can I purchase/program a key from Ebay & program it myself, or is the dealer my only choice?

TIA.

 

All newer VAG vehicles 2009+ require a key and programming from a dealer only, none of these cheap fleabay keys will work.

 

The keys on ebay will work. But you can only program the remote end of it.
You need to pull the remote aprt first and make sure the numbers inside match the key you buy.(just stick a flat head into the little grove and pry aprt.
You of course need to buy one that has a new blank/un-cut key and new transponder on it. Then you will have to take it to the dealer to have the transponder chip for the ignition key to have it programmed before it will crank your car. So you are looking at the $20 for the key on ebay, then a charge to have it cut, and my dealer charges $69 to program it. When i called my dealer they wanted $179 for the key and $69 for programming, so your dealer is actually cheaper than mine.
Now with all of that said, since they will do it all for you for $200, you may be better of to save the time and hassle of finding someone to laser cut the key, because it is hard to find someone if you happen to get a key made out of the wrong metal, because they claim it may mess their machine up, so alot of them will not cut them. I actually bought one on ebay sent them pics and they cut it for me.
Hope this helps?