Security vulnerabilities of keyless cars tested

Keyless cars are very convenient for both owners and drivers, but they also make it much easier to steal cars.

In a matter of seconds, criminals can take keyless cars by using a relay device to report the keychain from the house to the car, which allows them to open the car, start it and leave it there. go.

The number of car thefts in England and Wales is currently at its highest level in eight years – 106,000 cars were stolen in the last year alone.

Now what car? The magazine tested seven new cars equipped with keyless technology to determine which ones are most vulnerable to theft.

The publication discovered that the new DS3 Crossback Ultra Prestige could be unlocked and started in 10 seconds, while the Audi TT RS could also be pinched at the same time, but only when the optional keyless entry system was active – the remote control can be deactivated if it has not moved for a predetermined period of time.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport was another bad player in the test and could be stolen in 30 seconds.

Just as Audi, BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz have all introduced motion detection technology for their keys, which disables them if they remain intact and do not move. When the keys were turned off, the cars could not be taken in the Which car? test.

Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover has been attempting to keep thieves away by issuing a range of radio signals by its keys, thus preventing thieves from locking themselves on a single signal.

"It is outrageous that some automakers have introduced keyless entry and start systems without making them as safe as the traditional solutions they have replaced," he said. Which car? editor Steve Huntingford. "It's a good news that a small number of brands are taking the problem of car theft seriously, but there is still much to be done to improve safety, especially for the desired occasional models. . "

Which car? exclusive safety test results