A car expert has highlighted a security issue for millions of drivers who remotely lock their vehicles. Kazimieras Urbonas from online used car parts marketplace Ovoko said many of us rely on remote locking, but there are potential risks.
Mr Urbonas explained that changing how and when you lock your car could make the difference between keeping your vehicle safe and becoming another car crime statistic.
He said: “Most people are unaware that pressing their key fob from 20 or 30 metres away creates a window of opportunity for criminals. The further you are from your car, the more exposed that signal is to interference.”
Motor thefts decreased by 6% last year, with 61,343 cars reported stolen to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Despite the drop, the figure marked the third-highest annual total in the past decade and more than twice the number recorded in 2015, according to the RAC.
Mr Urbonas said one thing thieves have learned to do is exploit the gap between when you believe your vehicle is locked and when it actually is.
He said when you press the key fob button from across a car park, you send a signal through the air which can be intercepted.
Mr Urbonas warned that the beep or flash of lights doesn’t always tell the full story as sometimes the signal doesn’t reach a car properly, meaning the vehicle is still unlocked.
He added: “I’ve seen countless cases where drivers were convinced their car was secure because they heard the beep. But a partial signal can trigger the sound without actually engaging all the locking mechanisms.”
Weather, interference from other devices or being at the edge of a key fob’s range can all affect whether a vehicle locks properly.
The beep and flash might happen even when the locking process hasn’t completed successfully, according to Mr Urbonas.
He detailed four measures to ensure a vehicle is locked securely.
Firstly, lock from close range. This means being within a few metres of your car before pressing the lock button.
Mr Urbonas said this minimises the distance your key fob signal travels and reduces the chance of interference.
He added: “The closer you are to your vehicle when you lock it, the stronger and more reliable that signal becomes. It’s such a simple change, but it makes a real difference.
Secondly, he recommended double checking by pulling a door handle on your vehicle. A gentle pull will confirm it is secured, so giving yourself “absolute certainty”.
Thirdly, check your mirrors and locks. Some cars fold their wing mirrors or show other visual cues when they are properly locked so Mr Urbonas advised taking a moment to check those indicators before walking away.
Lastly, listen for the right sounds. The car expert recommended learning what your car sounds like when it’s properly locked compared with when it is just acknowledging your signal. Different beeps often mean different things, according to Mr Urbonas.
He said: “People spend thousands on their cars but don’t spend five seconds making sure they’re properly locked. The irony is that criminals know this better than most car owners do. They’re counting on drivers who rush off after pressing a button from halfway across a car park.
“The good news is that better security doesn’t require expensive gadgets or complicated procedures. It’s about being present for those few extra seconds when you’re locking up.”
The expert added: “Tiny changes in routine can save you from a devastating loss.”
