Now keyless cars can be stolen in just 10 seconds

HIGH-TECH keyless cars that sell for more than £50,000 can be stolen in as little as ten seconds, a study shows.

Police believe weaknesses in these security systems are contributing to a resurgence in car theft, as criminals can drive away without having to pick a lock or break a window.

Official figures show 113,037 vehicles were stolen last year – or more than 300 every day – a jump of 9 per cent from the previous year when 103,493 were taken and a 60 per cent increase in six years.

The last time more vehicles were stolen was in 2008/09.

Many modern cars feature keyless entry systems, which pick up a signal from a small fob carried by the owner and automatically unlock the doors as they approach. They do away with the frustrating search for keys buried in pockets or bags, and with the fob still tucked away the driver can start the engine by pushing an ignition button.

What Car? magazine tested seven car models to see how secure they are.

It found that a £54,000 Audi TT RS could be taken in ten seconds, while a DS 3 Crossback, a £25,000 luxury 4x4 from the owners of Citroen, could be opened in five seconds and started in another five.

A £53,000 BMW X3, £19,000 new Ford Fiesta and a £36,000 Mercedes Benz A-Class could all be stolen in about a minute.

An investigation by the Daily Mail last year found electronic gadgets that can be used to steal cars were being sold online for as little as £100. Using tools

CAR-THEFT KIT FOR SALE ON AMAZON

From the Mail April 23, 2018 available on Amazon and eBay, the Mail – with help from industry insiders – ‘ stole’ a Ford Fiesta in under two minutes.

David Jamieson, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, has been highly critical of car manufacturers, accusing some of ignoring weaknesses in keyless entry systems for years.

While the signal pumped out by the fob can travel only a few yards, thieves are using so-called relay devices to extend its range. By holding one of the gadgets close to the owner’s house, and another next to the car, they can pick up the signal and trick the car into opening its doors, enabling them to drive away.

Recently the Association Of British Insurers revealed a record £1million a day was paid to drivers of stolen cars last year, which it said ‘ in part reflects the vulnerability of some cars to keyless relay theft’.

Some makers have tried to combat this by including motion sensors in key fobs which go to ‘sleep’ if not used for a while, shutting off the signal. What Car? found that with the fob deactivated in this way, the TT, X3, Fiesta and A-Class foiled the thieves.

It also found that a £43,000 Land Rover Discovery Sport could be broken into in 30 seconds with a lock pick and started with a device that plugged into a socket near the steering wheel to trick the car’s onboard computer. The £57,000 Land Rover Discovery defeated attempts to break in.

However, car manufacturers say their vehicles are more secure than ever. PSA Group, the parent company of Citroen, said: ‘We have created a dedicated division to analyse and treat potential or proven weaknesses of vehicle security.’