Last updated: September 2026 · Written for auto locksmiths & key distributors
A transponder chip is the small glass or ID-style component inside the key that the immobiliser reads.
A transponder chip is the small glass or ID-style component inside the key that the immobiliser reads. When a locksmith says 'it's an ID46' they are telling you the security generation of the key - and that decides which blank you buy and which programmer you need. Here is what the three most common families mean.
Send a photo of the key or your VIN - we confirm the chip family and the right replacement for free.
💬 Ask on WhatsAppID46 (including ID46-3G variants) appears across VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda, plus many other brands from the mid-2000s onward. These keys are cloned or calculated with tools like Xhorse, VVDI or Autel. A worn or lost ID46 key normally means a new blade and a fresh transponder programmed to the car.
ID47 is commonly associated with French (Peugeot, Citroen, Renault) and some Italian (Fiat group) immobiliser systems, usually in the 2000-2010 era. The chip looks similar to ID46 but uses a different protocol - an ID46 blank will not replace an ID47 key. This is one of the most common ordering mistakes we see.
4D83 chips are used across Toyota, Lexus and related platforms, and they behave differently from ID46/ID47: many 4D83 keys can be programmed by the locksmith, but some model years use dealer- or tool-specific procedures. If the car is a Toyota, expect 4D83 - but confirm the exact year and region.
If you buy stock for a locksmith business, chip family is the first filter after brand and model. Getting it wrong means a key that cannot be programmed - and a refund or return. That is why every serious supplier confirms chip type before shipping, and why we ask for a photo or VIN on any uncertain order.
Three ways: read the key with your programmer, look up the car by VIN in a chip database, or send us a photo of the key (and the chip if visible). We confirm the chip, frequency and correct SKU for free before you commit.
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