Most stolen keyless cars are not broken into. Two people stand either side of your front door at three in the morning: one holds a relay device that picks up the faint signal from the key in your hallway, the other holds a receiver next to the car. The car believes the key is present, unlocks, starts, and is gone in under a minute. No glass, no noise, no key.
Why keyless cars are the target
Keyless entry works by the car constantly listening for its key. Relay equipment simply extends the key’s reach. It defeats the factory security not by breaking it but by borrowing it, which is why desirable SUVs, premium German marques and tool-carrying vans dominate the theft figures.
What actually helps
- Signal-blocking pouches. Cheap and worth having, but only as good as your discipline. One night the key does not go in the pouch.
- Steering locks. A visible deterrent that adds time and noise. Determined thieves carry tools for them.
- Trackers. A Thatcham-approved tracker will not stop the theft, but it dramatically improves the odds of getting the vehicle back.
- A Ghost immobiliser. The strongest answer. The Autowatch Ghost-II has no fob and no signal to relay: the engine will not start until a PIN sequence is pressed on buttons the car already has. A relayed signal unlocks the doors and nothing more.
Layer it
Security people talk about layers because no single measure is perfect. A pouch by the door, a tracker for recovery and a Ghost to immobilise the engine covers the realistic theft routes for a keyless car, and typically costs a fraction of one insurance excess.
We are TASSA-registered Ghost installers fitting at your home or work across the East Midlands, with dedicated pages for Northampton, Peterborough and Corby. Call 0333 772 1846 to talk through what suits your car.