Open and shut case on ‘basic’ Toyota door flaw
CASE STUDY Security concern as Aygo makes locking noise when key fob activated, even if door is ajar
YOU’VE pressed the central locking button on your key fob, and heard the reassuring clicking sound as the locks engage. So it’s fair to assume your car is now secure, right? Not necessarily.
Toyota Aygo owner Mike Frost of Birmingham told Auto Express his 16-plate car had a security flaw which meant the doors or boot could be left ajar but there’d be no warning sound to alert him when engaging the locks via the fob.
He said: “It’s worrying to think you might assume the car was secure and walk away, when in fact, there is a door wide open and the car is accessible to all. If something was stolen, and you made a claim, you may have unwittingly voided your insurance.”
Supplying dealer Inchcape Toyota in Burton on Trent, Staffs, told Mike that other similarly specced models on its forecourts did the same and a search of online forums revealed others had the same issue, too.
But Toyota insists Mike’s car isn’t faulty. It told Auto Express this characteristic was simply a virtue of his Aygo’s basic specification. Its spokesman said: “It’s true that if the door is ajar and you lock it, there’s no audible warning. However, the Aygo is our entry-level car and the features reflect that. It’s how we keep the price down, for people wanting to get on the motoring ladder.” The warning is sounded on higher-specced cars with keyless entry.
The same is true of sister cars the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108, according to a spokeswoman for manufacturing group PSA. However, she added all modern vehicle doors, bonnets and boots feature a “double-latch”, so if they are simply not shut properly, they’ll still be “held on the second latch” and remain locked.
But vehicle security assessor Thatcham says a basic locking system can impact on a car’s insurance group rating. Its spokesman explained: “Features like audible or visual warnings when doors are not locked are reviewed as part of the Group Rating process and scored accordingly, and could result in a reduction in Insurance Group.
“Where there is no warning, no points will be awarded. The owner is responsible for ensuring their car is locked securely.”
“Toyota told Auto Express that this characteristic was simply a virtue of his Aygo’s basic specification”