Which cars are prone to keyless theft?

[CorbinLynn]

Cars most vulnerable to keyless or "relay" theft are typically popular models from mainstream brands like Ford, Land Rover, and Toyota, produced roughly between 2015 and 2022 before more robust security became widespread. The risk is less about the car's price and more about the widespread adoption of certain, now-outdated, keyless entry systems that thieves can easily exploit with cheap relay devices.

Vehicle Model/Type	Key Vulnerability Factor	Model Year Range of Highest Concern
Ford Fiesta & Focus	Susceptible to relay attacks; consistently top theft lists.	2015-2018 models are frequently cited.
Land Rover Range Rover	High-value target; earlier key systems were a major weakness.	Models prior to 2022 saw significant theft rates.
Toyota RAV4 & Lexus RX	Targeted for parts; certain key fob signals were easy to intercept.	2016-2021 models have been prominent in reports.

• Top Theft Targets: According to UK Office for National Statistics data for 2023/24, the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus consistently rank among the most stolen vehicles, with keyless relay attacks being a primary method. The latest available data up to 2024 shows these models remain disproportionately targeted.
• Security Ratings: Testing by Thatcham Research, the UK's motor insurance security research center, has historically given poor "Poor" security ratings to many keyless-entry-equipped models from this era for their susceptibility to relay attacks. Their 2022 security assessments highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in several mainstream SUVs.
• Industry Shift: The good news is that from late 2022 onward, most new cars sold in Europe must comply with UNECE R155 regulations, mandating stronger cybersecurity. A car's vulnerability now largely depends on its production date relative to these regulations. Always check the specific model year's security rating.

The era of the vehicle is the single biggest clue to its vulnerability. Post-2022 models with new regulations are significantly harder to steal this way. For older cars, a simple Faraday pouch is a necessary daily habit, not an optional extra.

[GabrielaAnn]

My 2018 Ford Focus ST was stolen right off my driveway in under a minute last winter. I had the fob in a bowl by the door, and the thieves just amplified the signal. The police said it's a weekly occurrence with these cars. I loved that car, but the constant anxiety wasn't worth it. I've switched to a manual 2021 Toyota GR Yaris now—no keyless entry at all, and I sleep much better. It's shocking how targeted specific models are. If you own one of the usual suspects, you absolutely need a steering lock. It's a visual deterrent that actually works.

[OliviaLee]

At the garage, we see a clear pattern. It's almost always Fords, older Range Rovers, and Nissans like the Qashqai. The guys doing this cruise neighborhoods with their relay boxes, and these cars just unlock for them. The fix isn't complicated: get a Faraday box for your keys, not just a pouch—the boxes are more reliable. Or better yet, disable the keyless entry function if your car's menu allows it. For older luxury SUVs, a secondary GPS tracker is a wise investment.

[DeLandon]

Working in used car sales, this is a huge factor for resale and insurance. We have to be upfront about it. A 2017 Golf GTI or a 2019 Land Rover Discovery is harder to insure and costs more, purely due to theft risk. We advise every buyer of a pre-2020 keyless car to budget for a physical deterrent like a Disklok. It's a metal reality of the market. Cars without keyless, like base trims of the Vauxhall Corsa or older manual transmission hot hatches, are ironically becoming more desirable for their simplicity. Security is now a genuine selling point, not just a feature.

[DeEmerson]

Working in used car sales, this is a huge factor for resale and insurance. We have to be upfront about it. A 2017 Golf GTI or a 2019 Land Rover Discovery is harder to insure and costs more, purely due to theft risk. We advise every buyer of a pre-2020 keyless car to budget for a physical deterrent like a Disklok. It's a metal reality of the market. Cars without keyless, like base trims of the Vauxhall Corsa or older manual transmission hot hatches, are ironically becoming more desirable for their simplicity. Security is now a genuine selling point, not just a feature.

[Miguel]

My neighbor's Fiesta got taken, so I did two things for my 2020 Kia. I bought a decent Faraday pouch and tested it—put the key in, closed it, and tried the door handle. It didn't open. You have to test it. Second, I started storing the fob in the far back of the house, not near the front door. It's a minor lifestyle change, but it drastically reduces the signal strength a thief can grab. For peace of mind, it's worth the slight inconvenience. Simple habits beat sophisticated thieves most of the time.

[ODamian]

My neighbor's Fiesta got taken, so I did two things for my 2020 Kia. I bought a decent Faraday pouch and tested it—put the key in, closed it, and tried the door handle. It didn't open. You have to test it. Second, I started storing the fob in the far back of the house, not near the front door. It's a minor lifestyle change, but it drastically reduces the signal strength a thief can grab. For peace of mind, it's worth the slight inconvenience. Simple habits beat sophisticated thieves most of the time.