The steering lock

The anti-theft lock is related to the steering system. This consists of a metal rod that engages with the steering column shaft to prevent it from being turned. While these were operated mechanically on older cars, those of newer vehicles are operated by a solenoid, or actuator, that integrates the lock electronically with the smart key and immobiliser system.

Perhaps predictably, these electronic systems seem to be more unreliable than the old-fashioned, purely mechanical locks. In some cases, a fault results in an engine non-start. Some problems are caused simply by parts ageing, not necessarily due to failure. Certain solenoids can become slow to activate and some manufacturers might offer a software update that takes this into consideration and prevents a fault code from being generated.

Low battery voltage can also promote steering lock issues. Defunct solenoids and worn internal gears mean usually that the mechanism requires renewal and/or diagnostic recoding. For security reasons, this is not always straightforward. Be aware that while official advice might state that the entire steering column has to be replaced, various enterprising aftermarket companies have engineered more cost-effective fixes to common problems, so do your research.