KEYLESS theft is hitting many of the top selling cars according to the consumer group Which?
It found the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus are all at risk to thieves increasingly thought using technology to bypass entry systems on keyless cars.
Which? analysed data on keyless attacks from the General German Automobile Club ADAC which tested 237 keyless cars and found that all but three were susceptible with the latest Discovery, Range Rover, and the 2018 Jaguar i-Pace found to be secure.
Of the top-selling cars in the UK, only the Vauxhall Corsa was deemed safe because it is not available with keyless entry and ignition.
Which? reported: “Thieves have been using keyless theft for several years, but manufacturers continue to make new models that can be stolen in this way, meaning there is an ever-larger pool of vehicles for thieves to target.”
However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) said that new cars are more secure than ever.
Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “Industry takes vehicle crime extremely seriously and any claims otherwise are categorically untrue. The latest technology has helped bring down theft with, on average, less than 0.3% of the cars on our roads stolen.
“Criminals will always look for new ways to steal cars; it’s an ongoing battle and why manufacturers continue to invest billions in ever more sophisticated security features – ahead of any regulation.
Thieves are using special devices, allowing them to capture codes electronically, allowing them to enter the vehicle and drive away.
The BBC reported that in the year to March 2018, more than 106,000 offences of theft of or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle were reported to police in England and Wales – the highest annual total since 2009.