Once it has been programmed to another car it would be a horible issue if it were that easy to take the key and make it work in someone elses car. Think about it would you want me taking my key and putting it in your car and reprogramming it that easily to work with your car. NO i am sure you would not or maybe you would not care but if it were that easy i for one would be complaining to MINI/BMW about the safety issue of that as well as the easy of stealing the car.

 

Odd question but previous mini was wrecked and I would like to use an old key from that car for the new mini that we bought that only had 1 key. the old one was a 2011 and the new one is a 2012. Can it be programmed to work in the new vehicle?

 

If your car has comfort access (replaceable battery and a black button on the door handle) the remote has to be programmed to your car at the MINI dealer, there is nothing that you can do to make it work as comfort access. The fob will work as a standard remote, push the buttons to lock and unlock the doors and put into the dash to start without being programmed. Some people buy a second key and remote but don't have the comfort access feature programmed to it and just use it as a spare if they loose their main remote. Dealers will charge a programming fee for the comfort access remotes since it requires a technicians time.

 

Once a remote has been programmed to one car it can't be programmed to another car

 

It won't start the car. Not even the dealer can make that happen.

 

That's great spare key will helped you in that situation, i also call locksmith and made some spares for me.