Are keyless cars more likely to be targeted by criminals?

I am amazed by the fact that manufacturers and reviewers alike are continuing to think that these features are a positive sales pitch. I feel keyless entry and start are now a distinctly negative aspect as these features are known to make theft/intrusion easier. Has no one noticed the exponential rise in car crime which is made easier with these features?

Asked on 22 November 2022 by David Archer

Answered by Andrew Brady

There were 108,542 motor vehicle thefts recorded in England and Wales in 2021/2022 - down from more than 300,000 in 2002/2003. Despite keyless technology, there hasn't been an 'exponential rise in car crime' at all - cars are more secure than they've ever been.

Manufacturers are working to help reduce the number of keyless thefts, too - such as keys that go to sleep when left for an extended period, while many cars with keyless tech allow you to turn the feature off if you don't want the convenience.

Personally, I'd rather someone stole a car from my driveway by using a relay transmitter than the old-fashioned way of breaking into the house and looking for the keys...

Tags: keyless entry car crime keyless theft

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