Hundreds of the best car brands have in a new survey been found highly susceptible to theft without the need for keys, also known as the relay attack.
Having tested 237 cars, the General German Automobile Club found that 230 of the vehicles tested, from more than 30 brands, could be unlocked and started using relay boxes. This is while a further four models could be either unlocked or started.
The analysis comes as various 2018 car models ventured to include keyless technology as standard, yet making the cars susceptible to these attacks.
The group found that best-selling brands such as the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus all have a higher risk of being broken into.
The only three keyless cars that were not susceptible to relay attacks were from Jaguar Land Rover – the latest models of the Discovery and Range Rover, and the 2018 Jaguar i-Pace.
Using ‘relay’ boxes – whereby one is placed near your car and the other near where you keep your key – criminals can lengthen the radio signal produced by your fob, tricking your car into thinking the key is within close enough range to be unlocked and started.
Mike Hawes, at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said more needs to be done to tacking sophisticated thieves.
“Criminals will always look for new ways to steal cars; it’s an ongoing battle and why manufacturers continue to invest billions in ever more sophisticated security features – ahead of any regulation. However, technology can only do so much and we continue to call for action to stop the open sale of equipment with no legal purpose that helps criminals steal cars,” he said.