YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
in under 60 seconds with no alarm triggered
Car theft prevention: how cars are stolen and how to stop it
LockCAR designs vehicle security in the UK. Most cars stolen today are taken without their key, using electronics the factory security trusts. This guide explains each method, shows which protection stops which, and ends with eight practical steps.
- Relay, CAN and OBD theft
- Layered protection
- Immobilisers from £249 fitted
How cars are stolen in the UK today
Six methods, and only one needs your actual key.
- Relay attacks
- The signal of a keyless key inside the house is repeated at the car, which opens and starts.
- CAN injection
- A device connected to the wiring behind a headlight sends the car the messages a genuine key would.
- OBD key programming
- Once inside, a tool in the diagnostic port adds a new key to the car.
- Key burglary
- Keys taken from a hallway or a hook near the door.
- Signal jamming
- A jammer stops the car locking when you press the button, so check the mirrors fold or the lights flash.
- Towing and loading
- The car is lifted onto a truck and never started.
Which protection stops which method
Layers work because each one covers a gap in another.
| Protection | Relay | CAN injection | OBD programming | Towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signal-blocking pouch | Yes, at home | No | No | No |
| Steering wheel lock | Slows | Slows | Slows | No |
| OBD port lock | No | No | Yes | No |
| Aftermarket immobiliser | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| GPS tracker | Recovery | Recovery | Recovery | Recovery |
No single item covers everything. An immobiliser stops the car being driven away by any of the electronic methods; a GPS tracker covers towing.
Is your car at risk?
Five quick questions.
- It has keyless entry or push-button start.
- It is a model in demand: an SUV, a 4×4 or a premium car.
- It relies on factory security only.
- It is parked overnight on the street or a driveway.
- The keys are kept near the front door.
Two or more of these suggest a layered setup. See which cars were stolen most in the DVLA car theft statistics.
How to stop car theft: 8 practical steps
From free habits to fitted protection.
Block the key signal
Keep keyless keys in a signal-blocking pouch or tin.
Keep keys away from doors
Store them at the back of the house, out of sight.
Switch off keyless entry
Where your car allows it and you can live without it.
Fit a hidden immobiliser
A second check the key signal cannot pass.
Protect the OBD port
A lock or relocation makes key programming harder.
Add GPS for recovery
Covers a car that is towed.
Use a visible deterrent
A steering lock alongside, not instead of, an immobiliser.
Park smart and check
A garage or a well-lit spot, and confirm the car locked.
LockCAR immobilisers, fitted UK-wide
Hands-free or PIN, paid for once.
A LockCAR immobiliser keeps a circuit the engine needs open until it gets its own TAG, ring, watch or PIN. It works on 12 V and 24 V vehicles and is fitted by approved installers at your home or work.
| 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 |
For GPS and a camera as well, the One Plus 4G combines tracking, a dashcam and an immobiliser for £499 fitted.
Car theft prevention questions
What is the best way to stop keyless car theft?
Combine a signal-blocking pouch at home with a hidden immobiliser that needs its own TAG, ring, watch or PIN. The pouch reduces the risk; the immobiliser stops the engine starting.
Does a Faraday pouch stop CAN injection?
No. CAN injection does not use the key signal at all, so only a separate check such as an aftermarket immobiliser helps.
Is a steering wheel lock enough?
It is a good visible deterrent, but it can be removed and does nothing against the electronic methods. Use it alongside an immobiliser.
Do I need to tell my insurer about an immobiliser?
It is a good idea. Tell your insurer what you have fitted and ask whether it changes anything on your policy.
Which cars can LockCAR immobilisers be fitted to?
Most cars and vans, petrol, diesel and hybrid, on 12 V and 24 V. Check yours with the Vehicle CHECK.
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.
