Relay Car Theft Uncovered: How It Works and How to Stop It

Driver Guides 

In 2024, 61,343 cars were reported as stolen to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). In June of the same year, Admiral, the UK insurance company, reported that 60-70% of the cars stolen in the 12 months prior had featured keyless entry.

A growing concern for owners of keyless entry cars is what’s known as relay car theft. But what is it, which cars are at risk, and how can you prevent keyless car theft? Stick with us to find out.

For more information or to discuss options for safely leasing a car with keyless entry, speak to our expert team now on 01299 407 360.

What is relay car theft?

Relay car theft is where criminals exploit signals transmitted by keyless entry fobs to trick the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby. This allows them to open the doors and start the engine without needing to steal the key or damage the car.

How does keyless car theft work?

Unfortunately, keyless car theft is a pretty simple process, requiring just two people and a transmitting device, readily available online for less than £100.

1. Thieves will identify a keyless car - one will approach the house where the keys are kept, and the other will stand next to the car.
2. The person outside the house will hold up the transmitting device, trying to catch a signal from the key inside.
3. The device will catch and amplify the key signal, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby.
4. The thief next to the car can then open the door, start the engine and drive away.

How to prevent relay car theft: 6 effective strategies

Thankfully, preventing or at least hindering keyless car theft is also pretty easy.

1. Use a Faraday pouch or signal-blocking case

If thieves can’t detect the signals coming from your keys, they can’t use them to trick your car. Signal-blocking key storage, such as Faraday pouches and cases, are readily available online and rarely expensive. Whenever you’re at home, place your keys in a pouch or case to prevent signals from being hijacked.

2. Turn off keyless entry (if possible)

Another option is to completely disable your keyless entry. In some cars, this can be done via the settings in the car itself. In others, it’s possible to turn it off at the key. Check your vehicle handbook for more information or contact your manufacturer.

3. Park strategically to block signal theft

Relay car theft relies on your car and key being close enough for the key signal to reach the car. If you can park your car far enough away from the keys, you can make amplifying the signal more difficult for thieves. Alternatively, you can try parking defensively, such as close to a wall, so the door can’t be opened.

4. Install a steering wheel lock or physical immobiliser

As the world of car theft evolves, criminals are relying less and less on physical tools and more on technology. What this means is that you can deter most modern criminals by installing a steering wheel lock or physical immobiliser. When choosing a physical security device, look out for reputable quality stamps such as Sold Secure.

5. Upgrade to an advanced alarm and tracking system

A less common and more expensive, but arguably more effective method, to prevent relay car theft is to upgrade the alarm system on your car and fit a tracker. This makes it harder for thieves to fool your car’s security system, and a tracker increases the chances of recovery after a theft. It’s worth noting that if you want to install a tracker on a lease car, you’ll need consent from the finance provider.

6. Check for key cloning and reprogramming risks

If you buy your car second hand, make sure that you get all the keys, so that an unscrupulous former owner can’t sell your key or steal the car back themselves. You can also consider having your keys reprogrammed to prevent this risk altogether.

What to do if your car is stolen?

If your car is stolen, the first thing you need to do is report it to the police. This is important for insurance reasons, but it also gives them as much time as possible to find your vehicle. If you have a tracker installed, you can share this information, which can drastically improve the chances of recovering the vehicle.

Once you’ve reported the vehicle stolen, you need to contact your insurer and begin a claim process. If you wait to do this, not only can you slow down the approval of your claim, but it can also look suspicious to the insurer.

If a lease car is stolen, you must inform the finance provider, as they own the vehicle.

Explore car leasing at Gateway2Lease

At Gateway2Lease, we stock a vast selection of cars for lease from a range of some of the industry’s best known and most reputable brands. Leasing a new car, whether electric, hybrid or internal combustion, is a good way to help prevent relay car theft as newer vehicles feature stronger, smarter security systems.

Browse our selection or, for more information, contact our friendly team today by calling 01299 407 360, emailing enquiries@gateway2lease.com or filling out our contact form.

Keyless car theft FAQs

Can relay car theft be stopped completely?

The only way to stop relay car theft completely is to disable your car’s keyless entry system. This may cause some inconvenience but will stop thieves from using your keyless system against you. It won’t, however, prevent other forms of theft, so the best solution is to blend security steps, such as adding a steering wheel lock too.

Does wrapping my key fob in foil really work?

Aluminium foil can help block signals from your key, but unless it’s your only option, we’d strongly advise purchasing a Faraday pouch or purpose-built storage box instead. They’re not usually expensive and are easy to find. Foil is helpful in a pinch, but it’s not as secure as a specially designed option.

How do I know if my car has been targeted?

Thieves will usually scope out a vehicle before attempting to steal it. If you have home CCTV, keep an eye out for any suspicious movement, particularly at night. Otherwise, look out for people paying particular attention to your vehicle. Unfortunately, it’s generally not easy to tell whether someone has an eye on your car, and the best solution is to take preventative action regardless.

Are car manufacturers improving keyless security?

To combat rising rates of keyless car thefts, manufacturers are taking steps to improve keyless entry systems. For example, some are introducing motion activation systems in key fobs. When the key goes a certain amount of time without detecting motion, it will deactivate and stop transmitting signals, making relay car theft more difficult.

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