Whether it’s new cars or used cars in the UK, we’re still living in a society where vehicle theft remains an ever-present threat. Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a low-car-crime area, it’s entirely possible that you may end up visiting a car theft hotspot on your travels. And if that happens, do you think that as things stand, your car is secure enough?
If the answer to that question is no, then don’t fret – just keep reading, because on this page you’ll find some top tips to increase your car’s security.
Steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and wheel clamps
Most modern cars come with at least a factory-fitted immobiliser, and many will have an alarm. But as we’ll see, thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and getting around these kinds of electronic defences may not prove enough of a challenge.
So, our first recommendation is to up your car’s physical security. A steering wheel lock will prevent a would-be thief from turning the steering, a pedal box will stop them from being able to make it go, while a decent wheel clamp will make moving it at all very difficult.
And because many car criminals have become reliant on simply being able to press a button, the time it takes to disable these kinds of devices may put them off trying to take your car entirely.
Faraday pouches and boxes
One of the ways in which electronic car theft has boomed in recent years is via keyless entry and start systems. If your car has a keyfob that allows you to open the door or start the ignition without pressing a button on it or removing it from your pocket then you could be vulnerable to a so-called ‘relay attack’.
This is where criminals use a box of digital tricks to extend the range of the keyless system – so even if the key is safely tucked up in your house, they can still open the car’s door, or even drive off. Many new cars have keyfobs that go dormant when not in use but there’s an easy way to prevent this with any age of vehicle. A simple, inexpensive Faraday pouch or box will block the signal completely, preventing the theft.
These devices are easy to test, too. Simply put the key in the pouch or box, walk up to your car and try and open it. If you can’t, the Faraday cage within your new accessory is stopping the signal – if your car still opens, send that pouch back immediately and get another one.
Think carefully about where you park
Something as straightforward as putting a little bit more thought into where you park your car can also make a difference to the vehicle’s vulnerability. Brightly lit spots with good visibility are unlikely to attract thieves in the same way a dark and dingy location with poor sightlines would do.
You can even think about how your vehicle is positioned – parking close to a wall or other obstruction, for instance, may prevent a would-be thief from forcing open a door. If you’ve got a garage – and you’ve not already filled it with household junk – consider parking the car inside it. This not only puts the car out of tempting sight, but it also offers the opportunity to add a further layer of security.
Garage security
Most ordinary garage door locks offer hardly any protection from a determined thief – but this can be easily remedied by an aftermarket solution. Most supplementary garage locks are not only made of toughened materials, but they are usually designed to make accessing the lock without the proper key much more difficult.
Consider security cameras and lights
Not so long ago, adding a security camera to your arsenal of car-theft defences would have been a faff involving wiring, hard drives and monitors. Nowadays you can get a wireless camera with a battery that lasts for weeks, which alerts you to movement via your phone and even send recordings to the security of the cloud – and they can be installed in a matter of moments.
Similarly, motion-activated security lights are much easier to install than they used to be – and it’s amazing how off-putting suddenly bright illumination can be to a would-be criminal.
Want to go further? Then you could even add a remote sensor in or around your car to your main home security system. It’s unlikely you’ll sleep through a thief activating your full house alarm.
