Car industry warned about keyless theft a decade ago
The car industry was apparently warned “more than a decade ago that keyless technology on modern vehicles risked a surge in thefts”. Research found that owners could “expect to find their cars stolen in the future without any sign of entry”.
An article in 2012 written by a barrister warned keyless systems could be “successfully undermined” and unless OEMs improved the design, cars would be stolen without forced entry.
The Observer investigation found devices known as emulators were being used by thieves to mimic the electronic key; they targeted Hyundais and Kias. Smart equipment is also for sale online, costing up to £5k, allowing thieves to hack vehicles and programme a new key.
“The motoring industry has been negligent because they were warned when this new technology was beginning to emerge,” said lawyer Nick Freeman. “It’s a catastrophic situation where people cannot insure their cars or face ridiculously high premiums.”
The SMMT denied the industry has failed on security but said it has been in an “arms race” with criminals.