This led some carmakers to introduce two methods of activating the sleep mode on the fob: automatically (after it hasn’t been moved) or immediately, by pressing a button on the fob. While this offers protection when the fob is asleep, they don’t provide as much if they’re moving – such as when you're out and about with the key in your pocket. For example, Jaguar Land Rover have fitted some models with ultra-wide-band (UWB) radio technology, which transmits over a wide range of frequency channels so that thieves can’t trace the code.Īudi, BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz have, instead, added motion sensors in their keyless fobs that stop them from sending out a code when they haven't moved for a while. However, some models are arguably more secure. A large number of new cars have keyless entry either as standard or as an optional extra, and there are thousands of used vehicles already on the road with this technology.

Which cars are vulnerable to keyless car theft?Īny vehicle that has both keyless theft and keyless entry is more vulnerable to theft than a vehicle without either. Relay theft is no longer new either, so manufacturers have been working on ways to combat it for a while - meaning some more advanced models have systems designed to thwart the keyless car theft.

Cars that are most vulnerable to relay theft are those with keyless entry and keyless start. Some models have keyless entry that unlocks the doors when the key is close-by but still have a conventional key that is physically put in the ignition to start the car. That said, it also depends on the particular model, as well as the situation. Yes, in many circumstances keyless cars are easier to steal. Once the car has been stolen it may be sent abroad, broken for parts or re-sold with false documents. This transmitter then acts as an additional key, so the car can be opened, started and driven away (as long as the car also features keyless start, which is when a car starts via a button rather than the physical turning of a key in the ignition). This can be done quite easily even if your key is indoors because the tech used by thieves extends the signal from the key inside your home so the car is tricked into thinking it's nearby enough to unlock. Criminals use a pair of devices to carry out the theft.įirstly, the signal from your car key is captured or amplified and this copied signal is then sent to another transmitter. One of the most common types of keyless car theft can be done within 2 minutes, right outside your house. When thieves target a car, they can use the features of keyless entry to break into the car without actually having the key. The car and the key send these unique, encrypted signals to each other to lock the doors when the key isn't within range and - likewise - unlocks the doors when the key is close enough. How does keyless car theft work?Ī keyless fob has an in-built transceiver, which can send and receive coded radio signals. Most of these thefts were keyless entry and it’s a crime that’s increasing significantly. In 2019, a vehicle was stolen every five minutes in the UK. Police say that it can take less than two minutes for a car to be stolen. Keyless car theft is simpler and quicker than you might imagine.

The targeted vehicles are those with keyless entry and start systems, exploiting the technology to get into the car and drive it away. Keyless car theft (sometimes called relay theft) is a way of stealing a vehicle without using the physical keyfob. Thieves are increasingly thought to be using keyless technology to bypass security systems on modern cars, with some of today’s most popular models - including the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Qashqai - being vulnerable. We’ve put together this guide to explain what it is, what cars are vulnerable and how you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim of keyless car crime. If you want to know more about keyless car theft, you've come to the right place.

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