Read on to find out which car models are most at risk, understand the tactics thieves use, and get practical tips to safeguard your vehicle.

How confident are you that your car can’t be stolen? While smash-and-grab car thefts are largely a thing of the past, criminals are increasingly targeting modern keyless cars. With links to organised crime, these lawbreakers ship stolen cars abroad or dismantle them for parts. What can you do to protect your precious motor and prevent the upheaval and upset of a car theft?

The growing threat of keyless car theft

Data from Admiral Insurance indicates that as many as 70% of vehicle thefts in the year ending November 2025 were keyless models. Instead of traditional smash-and-grab techniques, now accounting for just 4% of thefts, criminals are stealing cars and vans by replicating or manipulating signals from keyless fobs. This has grown dramatically – in 2019, only 14% of thefts used this method. 

How do criminals steal keyless cars?

Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to exploit keyless entry systems:

Relay attacks (signal relaying)

This is the most common method and involves two thieves working together with electronic devices. To do this, one criminal would stand near your home with a relay amplifier that captures and boosts the signal from your key fob – even through walls. The second criminal would stand by your car with a transmitter that receives this boosted signal, tricking the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby. This allows them to unlock the doors and start the engine within seconds.

Signal jamming

Thieves use devices to block the signal from your key fob when you press the lock button. You believe your car is secure, but the doors remain unlocked, making it easy for intruders to access valuables inside.

Key programming and ECU hacking

More sophisticated criminals can plug devices into your car’s onboard diagnostic (OBD) port to programme a blank key fob or bypass the engine control unit immobiliser entirely.

Which cars are most at risk from keyless theft?

Only vehicles with passive keyless entry systems – where you can open and start your car without removing the fob from your pocket – are vulnerable to relay attacks. If you need to open your car by pressing a button on your keyfob, your vehicle isn’t at risk from this particular method.

Recent DVLA data shows that the Ford Fiesta remains the most-stolen car model in the UK, followed by the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, BMW 3 Series and Toyota RAV4. However, if you adjust the data to reflect the number of cars on the road, luxury brands face disproportionate risk. Abarth vehicles have a 1-in-116 chance of theft, while Lexus models, particularly the RX450 and ES300, show some of the highest theft rates.

How to protect your car from keyless theft

Despite the prevalence of keyless car theft, there are many things you can do to protect your car – and some are more low-tech than you might expect.

Key storage and signal blocking

• Store keys away from entry points: Keep your car keys as far as possible from doors and windows – ideally in a drawer, cupboard or upstairs.
• Use Faraday pouches or containers: These signal-blocking pouches prevent relay amplifiers from capturing your key’s signal. If you don’t have one yet, you can use a metal tin or even a microwave as a makeshift Faraday cage.
• Disable keyless features: Check your vehicle manual or contact your dealer about turning off the wireless signal on your key fob. Some keys have specific button combinations that deactivate the signal when the car is parked.
• Motion-sensing fobs: Many newer key fobs enter “sleep mode” when stationary for a few minutes, automatically stopping signal transmission.

Consider advanced security systems

• Invest in a GPS tracking device. While it won’t prevent theft, tracking systems significantly increase your car’s chances of recovery. 
• Aftermarket immobilisers: Thatcham-approved devices requiring a separate PIN or tag to start the engine provide robust protection beyond standard keyless systems.
• CCTV and security lighting: These act as strong deterrents and provide valuable evidence if your car is stolen.

Use physical security measures

In an age where digital technology rules the roost, it’s reassuring to know that low-tech deterrents are still highly effective.

• Steering wheel locks may feel old-fashioned, but they’re visible and time-consuming to remove, deterring thieves looking for a quick win.
• Automatic vehicle bollards and gates create a physical barrier, preventing criminals from making away with your car.
• Wheel clamps are a valuable layer of extra protection for high-value vehicles.

Park safely and be vigilant

• Never leave your vehicle running unattended – criminals actively seek out drivers who do this and will target them.
• Park in well-lit, secure locations whenever possible – exterior lighting and an automatic gate on your driveway or carpark are strong deterrents. 
• Always check that your car is properly locked by pulling on the handles.

In summary

Despite the warnings, there is good news: vehicle theft numbers are declining—with around 649,000 vehicle-related thefts reported in the year to June 2025, down 13% from the previous year. 

Remember – the most effective way to protect your car is to combine multiple layers of security: signal-blocking key storage, physical deterrents, advanced tracking systems, and heightened vigilance, especially during the vulnerable winter months when theft rates peak.

No security measure is foolproof, but making your vehicle a more difficult target significantly reduces your chances of a costly, upsetting car theft.

Protect your vehicles and property with our range of security solutions, including CCTV systems, automatic gates and security lighting. Contact us at sales@absolutefiresecurity.co.uk or call 01483 791500 today.