Mercedes EIS Repair at Your Car — from £250
Key won’t turn, dash dark or “key not recognised”? We repair the EIS at your Mercedes in one visit instead of replacing it at a dealer. Written warranty, and the price confirmed before we set off.
The Mercedes EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch, also called EZS) is the unit your key goes into instead of an ignition barrel. On the C-Class W204, E-Class W211 and W212, ML, A-Class, Sprinter and Vito it fails in the same ways: the key won’t turn, the dash stays dark, or the car says “key not recognised”. The dealer usually replaces the unit, which means recovery and a wait for the part. We repair the original unit at your location, so your existing keys keep working.
What’s included
- Diagnosis at the car before any work: EIS, key or ESL steering lock
- Repair of the original EIS unit and re-matching to your keys
- Replacement only if the unit is beyond repair, and only after you agree
- Call-out and labour included, a written warranty, and payment by card, cash or bank transfer; fleets invoiced
Price
EIS repair from £250. EIS replacement is quoted per model. A main dealer replacement is typically £800–£1,500, plus recovery. See the full price list.
Symptoms we fix
- The key goes in but won’t turn, and the steering won’t unlock
- The key turns, the dash stays dark, nothing happens
- “Key not recognised” or a key symbol on the dash
- It starts on the third try, then not at all
Try your second key first. If both keys do the same thing, it’s the EIS. If the spare works, it’s the key, which is cheaper to fix.
The full explanation, the models and the FAQ are in our Mercedes EIS repair guide. Key turns but the engine won’t crank? That’s usually not the EIS: see ignition repair.
Recent EIS work
Mercedes ignition repair in Dartford and a Sprinter ignition repaired after a theft attempt in Bromley.
Get help now
Don’t keep forcing the key. Call 07777 676261 or WhatsApp us with the model, the year and what the key does. We’ll tell you whether it’s the EIS or the key, and the price, before we set off. Prefer to book online? Book an EIS repair in a minute. We work 24/7 across Greater London, Kent, Essex, Surrey and Sussex.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Mercedes EIS repair cost?
From £250 at your car, call-out and labour included. A main dealer replacement is typically £800–£1,500, plus recovery and a wait for the part. We repair the original unit in most cases, so your existing keys keep working.
Can the EIS be bypassed?
No. Anyone offering to bypass it is offering to defeat your car’s immobiliser. We repair or replace the unit and re-match it to your keys, and we check proof of ownership at the car.
Is this the same as the steering lock (ESL) fault?
They are related but separate. If the key turns and the dash lights up but the steering won’t release, that’s the ESL, not the EIS. We repair both at your car; tell us what the key does and we’ll say which it is.
Will I need a new key after the EIS is repaired?
Usually not. The repaired unit is matched to your existing keys. If a key itself is faulty, we tell you before we start.
What warranty do you give?
All our Mercedes EIS work is backed by a warranty, typically 6 months to 2 years depending on the job. We confirm it in writing before work begins.