Key-less cars, criminals & you

Should you do your research before investing in a keyless car or should you believe manufacturers that say car theft is down?

A keyless car was always going to be attractive. Keep the key in your pocket and with the wave of a hand you can open the door, start the ignition and drive away. It was the stuff of science fiction.

However, today it’s pretty standard on an increasing number of models in the UK. But with technical innovation not far behind comes unethical behaviour. Criminals are using tech to get their hands on some pretty tasty models. So how safe is your car?

If you happen to drive a UK Corsa you’re good to go

Why? There are no keyless models. If you can splash the cash then a brand new Land Rover Discovery won’t prompt any sleepless nights as it’s been proven that it’s a pretty robust system. In fact, going for the very latest models of the Range Rover and Discovery alongside the Jaguar i-Pace you should feel pretty safe. Yet many other more popular cars have been left looking extremely vulnerable to keyless car theft. If you don’t have the money to go ‘top of the range’ what can be done?

Are manufacturers too slow in reacting to keyless car theft?

Which? Magazine have waded into the debate saying that manufacturers really need to do something more proactive to stop tech being used by criminals to bypass any security. We all know cyber security is one of the most pressing forms of criminal activity and virtually everyone has an element of vulnerability from every single device they own. However, the investment you make in a car represents a significant amount of money. To wake up and find it missing from the drive is a very upsetting and frustrating experience.

How can you do your part to reduce keyless car theft?

Obviously car manufacturers are working on this. They say vehicles are considerably safer than the bad old days in the 1990s. A number of new features have been added to increase security. However the advent of keyless technology has proved to be a chink in the armour and as of last year vehicle thefts were up. Like it or not we need to play our part.

1. Don’t dump your keys close to the front door. Thieves have the ability to amplify the signal from your car and hey presto! They are away with your precious possession.
2. Store your keys at the back of the house at the furthest point away from the drive or street.
3. Even better invest in a tin or aluminium container. This will actually block the signal from your keys to the car and neatly solves the problem with minimum hassle. There are various brands of box that will do this. Don’t forget that your spare keys need the same treatment.
4. If you have a garage and feel your car may well be vulnerable then it’s a good idea to park the car inside. It’s simply an added hassle for thieves. However, if they are determined to have your car just make it as difficult as you possibly can, wherever and however you can.
5. You may not realise but your car may actually have the ability to switch of the key. That way no one can amplify the signal. If your manual isn’t helpful try the dealership. You can testy whether your key has the capacity to be switched off by double clicking the open button twice. Check on line for more information about your specific make and model.
6. A GPS tracking system can be helpful but can be disabled if thieves know how and suspect a vehicle is fitted with this technology.
7. An old fashioned steering lock is a low tech, fairly inexpensive visual deterrent and just makes your car more inconvenient to steal.
8. Finally you should keep an eye on any software updates as smart dashboard may have vulnerabilities. It’s worth watching out for these and if there is an opportunity to have a free update then take it. They are often free.

Manufacturers are working on this issue but meanwhile there is every reason to undertake basic precautions to keep your car safe. Ensuring it is locked before you leave your car is something few people do and it might be worth getting in the habit of checking for peace of mind.

If you are thinking of investigating leasing a car and fancy updating to a Jaguar i-pace, Land Rover Discovery or even a new SEAT or Ford Focus then give us a call and see just what exciting deals are available.

Visit our website by clicking here or call 01604 978480 or better still, pop in and see us!

Silverstone Fleet Management, Office 5, The Old Hay Barn, Preston Lodge Court, Northampton, NN7 2DS