Yes, this company would know all the tricks. Maybe it's just not worth their time.
I once found a 1/4 of a TTL chip failed on an Opus 386. It was responsible for resetting the main memory. I found one corner of the chip wasn't being used so hot-wired to that. Even though any PC was worth a lot of money back then, it still needs someone with too much time on their hands to footle around like that.
If the MacBook were an 'ordinary' PC based system, such a dead one would be a 25 quid gamble. I'd have a bash at this Mac for 50quid, but not 200.
One wonders about the relative worth of Apple v PC. Having said that, I failed to get the Rivertess' HP going. Such a nice build with Altec Lancing sound etc., but having got the graphics chip sort of re-balled, (BIOS routine reading) it failed before or during the final detailed re-build. $500 down the drain after 2 years. Shame, it was a nice bit of kit.
This has reminded me. We've talked in the past about the MS OS Key being hidden on the MB and no sticker. It seems that's a tough one to break if you haven't obtained it for records while working.
Now it seems there are folk out there with a repair code for Mac BIOS. Some say run it - Doh! but others seem to think they can get over the problem. I rather imagine the subject of the OP might well have a fried chip, and there'd be nothing tasty about that.