Top-selling cars under threat of keyless theft

Top-selling cars under threat of keyless theft

Posted by

Fiona Irving

February 2019

Some of the country’s best-selling cars, including the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus, are potentially at risk from keyless theft, according to consumer group Which?

Keyless entry systems enable cars to start if the key fob is nearby. However, thieves using so-called relay devices to boost the signal can trick the cars’ sensors, enabling them to open and start a vehicle even when the fob remains in the owner’s house.

Which? analysed data on keyless attacks provided by the General German Automobile Club, ADAC, which found security flaws in 99% of the models tested.

ADAC, a roadside recovery organisation, tested 237 keyless cars and found that all but three were susceptible. Of the five top-selling cars in the UK, only the Vauxhall Corsa was deemed safe because it is not available with keyless entry and ignition.

The latest models of the Discovery and Range Rover, and the 2018 Jaguar i-Pace, all made by Jaguar Land Rover, were also rated as secure.

A growing number of new cars are made with keyless entry systems, allowing owners to open them remotely, as long as their actual key is nearby, for instance in their pocket.

Car theft at a 10-year high

However,  UK car thefts are at a 10-year high. In the year to March 2018, more than 106,000 offences of theft of or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle were reported to police in England and Wales – the highest annual total since 2009.

In a statement Which? said: “Thieves have been using keyless theft for several years, but manufacturers continue to make new models that can be stolen in this way, meaning there is an ever-larger pool of vehicles for thieves to target.”

However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) maintained that new cars were more secure than ever.

Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “The industry takes vehicle crime extremely seriously and any claims otherwise are categorically untrue. The latest technology has helped bring down theft with, on average, less than 0.3% of the cars on our roads stolen.

“Criminals will always look for new ways to steal cars; it’s an ongoing battle and why manufacturers continue to invest billions in ever more sophisticated security features – ahead of any regulation.”

Tips for drivers

One leading insurer offered the following advice to drivers:

  1. Check your car door is locked
    Criminals can also use locking jammers to block the signal from contactless keys when you lock your car door. Make sure a hacker hasn’t used a device to block the ‘lock’ signal from the key when you leave your car. Double-check that the door is definitely locked before you walk away.
  2. Switch the key off
    Some cars allow you to turn the keyless entry feature off when you’re not using it. Your driver’s manual should tell you if this is possible, but if you can’t find the answer, contact the dealer where you bought the car.
  3. Take care when storing your car key
    Make sure you keep your key away from any doors or windows in your home. This makes it harder for car thieves to pick up the radio signal from your key fob and use it to get in your car.

 


You also might like…

If you liked this article then check out our posts about similar topics

Chancellor cuts National Insurance, extends fuel duty freeze and fully expenses leased assets

In the last Budget before the General Election, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled a series of headline-grabbing initiative...

2024 will be the year of the EV with greater supply and lower prices, says Fleet Alliance

2024 will be the year that companies look to accelerate down the electrification route, as they seek to meet their own E...

Automotive transmission specialist Xtrac opts for EV salary sacrifice scheme from Fleet Alliance

Xtrac, the world’s leading supplier of high-performance transmissions for top level motorsport and high-performance au...

Fleet Alliance reports strong uptake in EV salary sacrifice

Increasing numbers of businesses are adding the employee benefit of leasing an EV through a salary sacrifice scheme to t...

Edwin James Group targets carbon reduction with electric vans from Fleet Alliance

Edwin James Group has taken delivery of its first electric vans from Glasgow-based fleet management specialist, Fleet Al...

IBMG halves its carbon footprint with Fleet Alliance

The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) has seen a reduction of more than 50% in the carbon footprint of its flee...

Fleet Alliance offers new tool to help businesses assess EV readiness

Fleet Alliance, the Glasgow-based leasing and fleet management specialist, has introduced a new solution to help busines...

Spring Budget brings a welcome cut to fuel duty

Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, brought some cheer for fleet operators when he confirmed that the 5p cut in fuel duty, announce...

Ready to make the management of your fleet more efficient?

Request a call back


Or Call Us On: 0345 601 8407
Schedule a call back