Cars with keyless technology are twice as likely to be stolen

1. Place your keyfob in a Faraday wallet/pouch

For the best level of protection, owners of cars with keyless technology should purchase a faraday pouch or wallet. You can buy these online for just £5 (Halfords are currently selling one for £4.50).

The pouch isolates the signal from the fob so it cannot be infiltrated by thieves.

A metal tin or box also offers similar levels of protection, as does storing your keyfob in a fridge freezer, microwave or oven – remember they’re in there before you switch on the latter two.

Don’t forget your spare keys either and be as careful as you would with your master keys or key fob.

2. Use old-fashioned anti-theft tools

A simple steering wheel lock or wheel clamp may look ugly, but it is a great tool for deterring even the most hardened criminals.

They will act as a visual deterrent to thieves who are likely to avoid them.

Steering wheel lock removal by a criminal usually requires noisy drills or saws to cut through, making them the ideal first line of defense for owners of models with keyless car technology.

Drivers should also consider wheel clamps, as well as alarm systems and trackers (read more about this below).

Van owners with keyless technology should also consider fitting deadbolts for added protection, especially if they keep expensive tools and items in their commercial vehicles overnight.

3. Be careful when locking your car

It may sound simple, but if your vehicle has keyless entry, make sure it’s always locked when you’re not in it, even if it’s just for a few minutes when you pay to park somewhere – thieves can get a Take unlocked car in seconds.

When it comes to locking, many modern cars have two position keys: for single and double locking.

Many drivers don’t realize that on many models, pressing your key fob only locks your car once.

This means that if you smash the window, you can manually open the car by reaching in and pulling the handle from the inside.

These fobs require a second press of the lock button to enable all security features. It is important to read your car owner’s manual to understand how to lock your car safely.

4. Think carefully about where you park at night

Usually, keyless car thefts take place in owners’ driveways. While motorists may think that having their vehicle so close to their property ensures its safety, this is certainly not the case when it comes to relay theft – quite the opposite, in fact, as it means the car is closer to where the are keys. in your house.

Therefore, owners with parking spaces on their own property should consider additional measures.

Parking bollards in the driveway are a cheap and efficient way to deter would-be thieves.

Drivers can go one step further and install lockable gates on their driveways, while the addition of CCTV systems can provide even more peace of mind.

For those who do not park on the street and leave their car on the road outside their house, you are not safe from these criminals either.

Consider parking farther away from your property than usual so criminals can’t replicate your fob’s signal from your home.

And always try to find a spot under a streetlight so thieves are exposed when they try to steal your car at night.

If you live on a residential street where there is also business, park off a street with a CCTV camera installed.

5. Install a tracker

Installing a tracking system in your vehicle, such as a Thatcham-approved device, provides an extra layer of security.

A tracking device will not prevent your vehicle from being stolen, but it will greatly increase the chances that the police will find it and return it to you.