A worrying half of the new cars launched this year have been given a poor security rating after Thatcham Research found their keyless entry systems could easily be bypassed by thieves.
The Association of British Insurers also said its members paid out a record £376m for car thefts in 2018 with a car being stolen every six minutes in the UK.
Thieves may be able to take advantage of this obvious weakness in car security, but there are a number of steps that owners can take to make it more difficult for hi-tech criminals to carry out keyless car theft:
- Double check your car or van is locked with valuables removed and leave it in a garage or well-lit area.
- At home or at the workplace, keep your keys five metres from vehicles, or put them in a signal blocking Faraday pouch.
- Make life difficult for thieves - fit low-tech security devices such as steering wheel locks and barriers/gates on your driveway.
- Keep an eye on local news and Neighbourhood Watch for word on vehicle models targeted in your area.
- Fit a Thatcham Research approved tracking device to your car or van such as Sure-Tracks MT3 Wireless Theft Recovery Tracker. This tracker will not only help to locate your vehicle if it is stolen, but Sure-Track will also call upon our team of trained finders to ensure you are reunited with your vehicle.
Find out more about our MT3 Wireless Theft Recovery Tracker here.