No one wants their car stolen. We get it - it's a huge hassle. Here's how to keep your car safe, and how your car insurance can help if it's taken.
Key takeaways
- Relay attacks are the most common modern theft method - criminals can amplify your key fob signal from inside your home in under 30 seconds
- Signal jamming is a separate risk: your car may appear to lock but won't have. Always physically check the doors after locking
- A Faraday pouch or metal tin blocks relay theft and costs less than a tenner
- Physical deterrents like steering wheel locks still work - they signal effort to opportunists, who'll usually move on
- Selling privately? Never let a buyer test-drive unsupervised, and don't hand over keys or the V5C until payment has fully cleared
- Check your cover: see how theft risk varies by make and model
How do thieves steal cars?
Car thieves use a range of methods to target vehicles, from leaving subtle signs on a car to using sophisticated technology. Some thieves mark cars with a pen, planning to steal them for parts. Criminals may also fold in wing mirrors to draw attention to a car or encourage drivers to get out and readjust them.
Before you get into your car, check for anything unusual, like unexplained marks or anyone lingering nearby. If you spot a folded-in wing mirror, readjust it before unlocking your car.
However, it’s important to be aware that many modern car thefts, especially of keyless vehicles, do not involve physical damage or obvious signs at all.
But most modern car thefts use these methods:
- Opportunistic theft: targeting unlocked cars or keys left in plain sight.
- Relay attacks: using electronic devices to capture and relay the signal from a keyless entry fob.
- Signal jamming: blocking your key fob's signal to stop your car from locking.
- OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port hacking: accessing your car's data port to programme a new key or bypass security systems.
- Key fishing: using tools to retrieve keys left near a letterbox, open window, or door.
Always park somewhere well-lit, make sure your car is locked, and keep your keys and valuables out of sight.
What are relay attacks?
Relay attacks involve thieves using two electronic devices to capture and extend the signal from your key fob, often while it’s still inside your home. One device picks up the signal from the key, while the other relays it to your car. This tricks the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby, allowing it to unlock and start as normal.
These attacks can take under 30 seconds and typically leave no visible signs of forced entry.
They most commonly target vehicles with passive keyless entry or push-to-start systems.
What is key fob signal jamming?
Signal jamming is when criminals use a device to stop your key fob's locking signal from reaching your car as you walk away. You might press the button, hear a beep or see a flash, and think your car is locked - but it's not.
Because of this sneaky trick, don't just rely on the fob sound or indicator flash.
Always physically check every door handle and the boot after locking your car. It only takes a second to be sure it's secure.
How to prevent your car from being stolen: 10 top tips
1. Store your key fob safely at home
Key fobs are easy targets for thieves. Keep yours (and any spares) far from external doors, windows, and walls. A metal tin, Faraday pouch, or signal-blocking wallet can block the signal. Test it: put your key inside and try unlocking your car. If it still works, the signal's getting through - time for a better pouch.
2.Always physically check your car is locked
Heard the beep, seen the flash? Don’t assume your car’s locked. Signal jammers can block the signal without you knowing. Always physically check all doors and the boot. It’s also best to lock your car up close, as distance can make signal interference more likely.
3.Use physical deterrents
Make your car a tough target with visible security. Steering wheel, gear, handbrake locks, and wheel clamps are strong visual deterrents. They won't stop every determined thief, but they'll definitely put off opportunistic ones.
4.Fit a dashcam with parking mode
A dashcam with parking mode deters thieves and captures suspicious activity when your car's parked. It also gives you valuable evidence if your car is targeted. For full coverage, think about front and rear cameras.
5.Install security cameras at home
Deter thieves at home with driveway CCTV and motion-activated cameras. Position them to cover your car, driveway, and any access routes. Motion-triggered lighting adds extra protection, and footage is useful if anything happens.
6.Mark your car
Get your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto your car’s windows. Thieves often steal cars to strip them for parts. VIN etching uses your car’s unique 17-digit ID, marking it permanently. This makes it harder to sell on and easier to trace if stolen. Plus, it's a visible deterrent.
7.Park smart
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says 38% of UK car thefts happen in semi-private areas like driveways. So, always park in well-lit, busy, or monitored spots - think CCTV-covered car parks or streets with lots of foot traffic. Even at home, lock your car and avoid leaving it in dark or isolated places.
8.Secure the data port
The OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port is a weak spot thieves exploit to program new keys and bypass security. A lockable OBD cover adds a physical barrier, making it much harder to access and cutting this risk.
9.Fit a tracker
A tracker won't stop theft, but it hugely boosts your car's chance of recovery. Some insurers even recognise Thatcham-approved trackers, which could mean better security ratings or even lower premiums.
10. Consider a ghost immobiliser
A ghost immobiliser is a hidden device that needs a unique PIN (entered using your car’s existing controls) before the engine starts. Thieves find it tough to detect or bypass. Always make sure it's professionally installed and check with your insurer first.
"People often ask whether old-school deterrents like steering wheel locks are still worth bothering with. The answer is yes, but not for the reason most people think. It's not that they're impossible to remove. It's that thieves are opportunists. Anything that makes your car look harder to take than the one next to it tends to work. Combine that with a Faraday pouch for your keys, and you've addressed both the high-tech relay attack risk and the casual opportunist in one go."What our motor insurance expert says
How to mark your car to deter thieves
Thieves target cars they can easily strip for parts. Marking your vehicle makes it less appealing to them and harder to sell on.
Etch your VIN onto your car's windows. This unique 17-digit code makes your car much harder for criminals to sell if it's stolen and easier to trace.
Forensic marking kits also help. They apply a unique code to different car parts, making them hard to remove and easy to link back to your vehicle.
Displaying security stickers can also deter thieves. They signal your car is harder to sell and easier to trace.
Marking your car adds a simple, effective layer of protection. It makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves and increases their risk.
Staying safe when selling your car privately
Selling privately can get you a better price, but it also means meeting strangers and handling significant sums of money. Taking a few precautions keeps the process safe.
Verify the buyer before you agree to a viewing
Ask for the buyer's full name and contact number before confirming a viewing. When they arrive, request a photo ID such as a driving licence - genuine buyers won't have a problem with this. Make a note of their details before giving them access to the vehicle.
Arrange viewings safely
Meet in daylight, at your home where possible, and have someone else present if you can. Avoid sharing details about your home security - cameras, alarms, or where you keep your keys. If anything feels off, trust that instinct and postpone.
Test drives and handover
Always accompany the buyer on any test drive. Never hand the keys over and wait at home. Check they're insured to drive your vehicle; temporary cover is easy to arrange if not. For payment, use a secure bank transfer rather than cash. Don't hand over the keys or V5C logbook until the full amount has cleared - the V5C confirms legal ownership, and handing it over early can leave you exposed.
Does car insurance cover car theft?
Comprehensive car insurance usually covers you for theft. It gives you the widest protection and can sometimes be cheaper than basic policies.
But other cover levels exist. Third-party only insurance is the minimum legal cover for UK roads. It pays out if your car causes damage to another vehicle, but it won't cover you if your car is stolen or damaged by theft.
For theft protection, you need at least third-party fire and theft cover. This pays out if your car is broken into or stolen - as long as you locked it.
Always check your policy for key storage rules. Some insurers now need keyless entry cars to use a Faraday pouch or box. If you don't, your theft claim could be invalid. Read your policy documents or ask your insurer to confirm what you need to do.
Compare car insurance quotes
Will insurance cover my stolen car if I left the keys in it?
Most car insurance providers don’t cover the claim costs for drivers who leave their car keys, fobs or lock transmitters in, on or by the car.
Although this sounds like common sense, these mistakes aren’t uncommon. People regularly leave their car keys in doors while they’re at a supermarket as they gather their shopping bags.
Others leave their keys in the ignition while they de-ice their car or get rid of condensation, leaving their vehicle open to theft.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that while fobs are convenient, they don't always guarantee that your car is locked.
Try to avoid clicking on a fob from a distance. If the locking system doesn’t engage and your car is stolen or ransacked, you could encounter problems with any subsequent insurance claim.
Confused about what to do if your car has been stolen? Check out our guide where we walk you through the steps of exactly what you need to do.
cookie usage