04/08/2020
Find out what Keyless car theft is & how to prevent your keyless entry car being stolen. Learn if your car is keyless entry & what car models are at risk as keyless car theft (relay theft) is a crime on the rise.
To skip to our Keyless car theft prevention tips click here.
A recent report from consumer group Which? found that four of the five best-selling models of cars in the UK are all at risk from “keyless theft”.
As the UK’s largest trade association for locksmiths, many of our members are auto locksmiths so have knowledge with car keys and locks.
What is Keyless Car Theft?
Keyless car theft (aka Relay Theft) is where the signal from a key for a so-called “Keyless entry” car is captured by somebody standing outside the victim’s house using a device.
Step 1 – The device transmits the signal to somebody else standing by the victim’s car.
Step 2– This then fools the car into thinking the key is near it, and so it allows the doors to be opened and ignition to be started.
How far do thieves need to be from my car keys?
Thieves only need to be within a few metres from your car keys to capture the signal. We will tell you how you can stop thieves capturing your car key signal shortly.
Cars with keyless entry are at risk to relay theft
Relay Crime is NOT new
Examples of ‘keyless’ or ‘relay’ attacks on vehicles aren’t new.
“Keyless car theft can take only 20-30 seconds”
Sadly our locksmith members do frequently hear of cases of lock picks, electronic devices, key cloning gadgets and other tools being used by opportunist thieves.
What device is used in Relay Car Theft?
Relay crime is when a certain type of specialist electronic equipment captures the signal from the Key and transmits it to a receiver that somebody standing next to the car has.
Is My Car Keyless Entry?
If you have to push a button on your car keys to enter your car, you are not at risk of being “hacked”.
Only cars with a keyless entry system can be stolen using so called “relay” equipment.
Keyless entry cars allow the driver to unlock and start the car with the key fob still in their pocket. Once in the car, the driver can press a button to start the engine.
Car Models at threat to relay theft
Any car with keyless entry is at a threat to relay crime.
Popular models found to such as a Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus are all at risk.
This was reported by the BBC in their Hundreds of popular cars ‘at risk of keyless theft article which included research analysed data on keyless – or “relay” attacks on cars.
View Keyless Cars Tested
A study was carried out by General German Automobile Club (ADAC), who tested 237 keyless cars and found 230 vehicles could all be unlocked and started using Relay Crime.
How long does it take to steal the vehicle?
Keyless car theft can take only 20-30 seconds.
Keyless Entry Cars Tested Against Keyless Car Theft by Thatcham
In 2019 Thatcham launched a security rating for keyless entry car models and how they performed against relay theft, below are the results.
PASSED Vehicle Models of Keyless Car Theft Test
The following keyless entry car models PASSED Thatchams relay attack test and were given a superior security rating:
Unlock Car, Key Replacement, No Keys, Car Key Cut and Program, Remote Car Keys, Proximity Key, Transponder key, Copy, Spare Car Key. http://carkeymelbourne.com.au/
