Count and identify the actual keys
Ask the seller to show all keys in one dated photograph alongside the vehicle identifier, while keeping security codes out of public messages. Record remote condition, emergency blade presence and any missing accessories. Check that the keys belong to the same candidate, particularly when a dealer holds several similar CX-5 vehicles. A spare fob shell is not a working spare. If only one key is supplied, make that explicit in the quotation and agree whether replacement is included before export or paid for after arrival.
Test each key away from the other
Keep the unused key sufficiently far from the car so it cannot silently authorise the test. With the owner present, check ordinary lock, unlock and start behaviour using the documented procedure. Test relevant request switches and luggage access where fitted. Repeated attempts, inconsistent detection or a warning should be recorded rather than dismissed as a battery issue. The CX-5 low-voltage and storage guide helps distinguish vehicle supply weakness from a fob problem. Use the exact manual for emergency access; do not improvise entry or starting methods.
Check the ownership record before programming
A reputable locksmith or dealer may require proof of ownership, identity and the vehicle itself. Ask what documents are accepted for an imported China-market car and whether the fitted module can be supported locally. Do not publish or casually transmit key codes, PINs or security credentials. Replacement pricing should name the correct key part, blade work, programming and any required diagnostic session. A cheap online remote advertised as compatible with all CX-5 years is not enough evidence that the destination service provider can enrol it.
Handle missing keys as a security decision
Ask whether keys were lost, damaged or retained by another party. An authorised workshop should explain the available process for removing lost electronic keys and whether mechanical access needs separate consideration. Erasing a remote registration does not necessarily change a physical lock cylinder. Decide the acceptable scope based on ownership history and where the car will be used. Preserve invoices rather than accepting a verbal statement that the old key no longer works. Any security-related work must be carried out with the lawful owner and the correct documentation.
Separate keys from accounts and stored personal data
Where connected services exist, identify the previous account and the supported transfer or deletion process. Availability may differ by original market and destination, so do not promise remote starting or app access after export. Use the CX-5 connectivity guide for that separate decision. Remove paired phones, saved destinations and personal contacts with permission, but preserve diagnostic and inspection evidence before resetting systems. A working physical key and a cleared infotainment screen do not establish that a remote account has been released.
Write a practical loading and arrival plan
Specify which key travels with the carrier, how the spare is secured and who signs for both. Do not leave an unlabelled spare loose in the cabin. Record the final count in the handover receipt and ask the receiver to test both before closing the delivery record. If the spare will follow separately, agree tracking and responsibility rather than treating it as a casual promise. Compare the complete cost of a one-key candidate with an otherwise similar two-key car, including programming access, downtime and the risk of losing the only working key.
Evidence checklist
- Independently tested primary and spare key
- Emergency blade and documented access route
- Proof-of-ownership requirements for programming
- Lost-key action recorded by authorised provider
- Carrier and receiver key-count receipts
Buyer questions
Does a second remote case count as a spare key?
No. It must independently unlock and authorise the vehicle using the correct procedure.
Can every imported CX-5 key be programmed locally?
Do not assume so. Confirm the exact key and module identity, required ownership documents and service capability before purchase.
Reference and inspection scope
These are buyer inspection questions, not repair instructions. Use the actual market and year manual; the linked US-market manual does not establish China-market equipment.
Mazda owner manual: market-specific reference, not proof of candidate equipment
Verify the exact vehicle
Specifications vary by year and market. Match the VIN, vehicle documents, inspection findings and manufacturer service information before purchase.
