Keyless entry and start systems have been in the news a lot recently due to rise of advanced criminals exploiting weaknesses in the system to open and start cars without even needing to get their hands on the keys! Car theft rates in England and Wales have reached an eight-year high, with more than 106,000 stolen last year alone. These cars fitted with keyless entry and start systems are being targeted by thieves using specialist tools that can capture a key’s signal and relay it to another device next to the car which allows them to enter and start the vehicle.
A test carried out by What Car? found that some of Britain’s newest and most popular cars are at risk of being stolen in a matter of seconds! They tested seven different models, all fitted with keyless entry and start technology. Its security experts were able to break into a number of them within a matter of seconds.
Take a look at the results of What Car?’s security test below:
• Audi TT RS Roadster – With the Advanced Key active it was possible to gain entry to the car in 5 seconds and then drive away within a further 5 seconds. With the key inactive neither was possible.
• BMW X3 2018 – With the Digital Smart Key active it was possible to get into the car within 40 seconds and drive away in a further 20 seconds. With the key inactive neither was possible.
• DS3 Crossback Ultra Prestige – With the Standard Key it was possible to gain entry to the car in 5 seconds and then drive away within a further 5 seconds.
• Ford Fiesta – With the Sleeping Key Fob Active it was possible to get into the car within 40 seconds and drive away in a further 20 seconds. With the key inactive neither was possible.
• Land Rover Discovery – With the Standard Key it was possible to gain entry to the car in 20 seconds but it was not possible to drive the car away.
• Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018 – With the Standard Key it was possible to get into the car in 10 seconds and drive away in a further 20 seconds.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class – With the Keyless-Go Key Fob active the it was possible to gain entry to the car in 30 seconds and then drive away within a further 20 seconds. With the key inactive neither was possible.
This test shows it is quite alarming how quickly these cars can be broken into and driven off with! While in the test they couldn’t steal any vehicle with their keys deactivated this technology is not yet widely available from manufacturers. So far only a small number of brands are taking the problem of this keyless car theft seriously but more needs to be done to improve security, particularly of desirable used models.
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Read more CarCliq Articles that may Interest You:
• Is Keyless Entry to Cars Safe?
• Hyundai Motor Group Develops Smartphone Based Digital Key
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