Top 5 Ways Vehicles Are Stolen (and the Immobilisers & Trackers That Stop Them)
Vehicle theft in the UK is at an all-time high, with criminals using increasingly advanced technology to bypass factory security. The good news? With the right immobilisers and tracking systems, you can stay one step ahead and dramatically reduce your risk.
Here are the top 5 ways thieves steal cars and the best products to protect yourself.
1. Keyless Car Theft (Relay Attacks)
Thieves use signal-relaying devices to “trick” your car into thinking the key is nearby, unlocking and starting it in seconds.
🔒 Best protection: The Ghost 2 Immobiliser is one of the UK’s most advanced systems against relay theft. Unlike factory-fitted security, Ghost 2 uses a unique PIN sequence entered via your car’s controls, so even if thieves clone your key signal, they still can’t start the engine.
2. Car Jacking and Opportunistic Theft
Sometimes thieves simply wait for the right moment for example, when a driver leaves their car running or unlocked.
đź”’ Best protection: A Meta Auto Block Immobiliser automatically prevents the engine from restarting once the ignition is turned off, stopping criminals from driving away if they manage to access your vehicle.
3. OBD Port Hacking
Thieves plug devices into your vehicle’s diagnostic (OBD) port to program new keys within minutes.
đź”’ Best protection: The Pandora Immo Immobiliser blocks unauthorised attempts to start the vehicle, even if a new key has been programmed. Combined with a Pandora Alarm System, it creates multiple layers of digital and physical protection.
4. Cloning & Vehicle Identity Theft
Stolen cars are often given new identities using cloned plates, making them harder to trace.
đź”’ Best protection: A Thatcham-approved tracker such as the Meta Trak S7 or ScorpionTrack S7 provides 24/7 monitoring and stolen vehicle recovery. Even if thieves manage to disguise your car, these trackers allow police to locate and recover it quickly.
5. Tow-Away Thefts
Some criminals don’t even try to start the car they simply tow it away.
🔒 Best protection: Advanced GPS trackers like the Meta Trak S5 Deadlock and ScorpionTrack S5 offer real-time location updates, movement alerts, and driver recognition tags. If your car is moved without authorisation, you’ll be notified instantly, and recovery teams can track it down.
Final Thoughts
Modern thieves are smart but with the right immobilisers and trackers, you can be smarter. Products like the Ghost 2 Immobiliser, Meta Auto Block, ScorpionTrack S5/S7 trackers, and Pandora are designed to defeat today’s theft methods and give you peace of mind every time you park your car.
At SecureRide, we specialise in advanced vehicle security solutions. Whether you’re looking for an immobiliser to stop keyless theft or a tracker to guarantee recovery, we have the perfect system for your vehicle.