YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
in under 60 seconds with no alarm triggered
Van theft UK protection: keep your van and your tools
LockCAR makes vehicle security in the UK, and van owners are some of our most worried customers. A stolen van means lost tools, lost days and lost customers. This guide shows how vans are taken and the protection that keeps yours on the drive.
- 12 V and 24 V vans
- From £249 fitted
- No subscription
How vans are stolen in 2026
The van, the tools and the time off the road all add up.
- Relay attacks on keyless vans
- Many recent Transit Custom, Transporter and Sprinter vans have keyless entry, so the key signal can be relayed from the house.
- OBD key programming on older vans
- Vans with a normal key are taken by programming a new key through the diagnostic port.
- Break-ins for tools
- Thieves who cannot start the van may still force a door for what is inside.
- Parked out of sight
- Sites, yards and quiet streets overnight give thieves time.
How a van immobiliser works
A second check the van’s own key system cannot provide.
The immobiliser breaks a circuit the engine needs and puts a relay in the gap. The van will not start until the relay closes, and it closes only for your TAG, ring, watch or PIN. It is hidden in the van’s wiring and makes no difference to driving once you have disarmed it. LockCAR immobilisers work on 12 V and 24 V vans.
- Stops relay attacksA relayed key may open the van, but the engine stays blocked.
- Stops new keysA key programmed through the OBD port is not enough either.
- Paid for onceNo subscription for the immobiliser.
The van security setup that works
Start with the immobiliser and add layers as the risk grows.
An immobiliser
The core layer: the van does not drive away without you.
An OBD port lock on older vans
Makes key programming harder, alongside the immobiliser.
Good locks for the load
Slam locks or deadlocks, and tools out of the van overnight where possible.
| Immobiliser | How you disarm it | Hands-free | Kit | Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fob (TAG), IC3262 | Carry the small TAG fob | Yes | £139 | £249 |
| Smart ring | Wear the paired ring | Yes | £149 | Ask us |
| Smartwatch | Wear your smartwatch, no extra fob | Yes | £160 | Ask us |
| PIN code, CAN-IMMO | Enter your sequence on the steering wheel buttons | With optional TAG | £189 | £299 |
Cameras and GPS for vans
Evidence and tracking, with the same protection inside.
A dashcam records site visits, deliveries and incidents, and the 4G versions show you where the van is and alert you if it moves at night. Every LockCAR dashcam system has the immobiliser built in.
| System | What it includes | GPS tracker | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LockCar One | Dashcam + immobiliser | No | £450 |
| LockCar One Plus 4G | Dashcam + immobiliser + GPS tracker | Yes | £499 |
| LockCar Duo RH | Dual-camera dashcam + immobiliser | No | £550 |
| LockCar Duo RH Plus 4G | Dual-camera 4G dashcam + immobiliser + GPS tracker | Yes | £699 |
Running five or more vans? The LFM Fleet Monitoring Platform shows them all on one map, with out-of-hours alerts and driver reports. Read more about fleet vehicle security.
Who this suits
Sole traders and small firms
Electricians, plumbers, builders and couriers whose van is their workplace.
Mercedes Sprinter owners
Generations, fitting and fleet options for the Sprinter.
Van theft protection questions
Will a van immobiliser stop a relay attack?
Yes. The relay keeps a circuit the engine needs open until it gets your TAG, ring, watch or PIN, so a relayed key is not enough.
Does it work on 24 V vans?
Yes. LockCAR immobilisers work on 12 V and 24 V vehicles.
Will it change how I drive the van?
No. Once you have disarmed it, the van drives exactly as before.
My van is older and has no keyless entry. Do I still need one?
Yes. Older vans are taken by programming a new key through the OBD port, which an immobiliser also stops. An OBD lock adds a further layer.
How much does van protection cost?
The TAG version costs £249 fitted and the PIN version £299 fitted. Dashcam systems with an immobiliser start at £450 fitted.
Written by the LockCAR engineering team. We design and build our immobilisers in the UK and fit them through our approved installers. Meet the engineers. Last updated October 2026.
