Jaguar Land Rover is taking the fight to keyless car thieves by investing millions to protect customers from the rise in this type of crime, it has announced.
The British brand – owned by Indian giant, Tata – has confirmed it will fork out £10million retrofitting older models with its latest security technology to create a virtual barrier to block the recent spate of hi-tech ‘relay’ attacks on its vehicles.
The recent spike in keyless car crime has seen this become the most common tactic used by organised criminals to steal high-value motors.
JLR’s race to patch up car security: The British car maker will spend £10m providing security upgrades for models dating back to 2018 – including Range Rovers (pictured)
And it’s JLR’s Range Rover and Range Rover Sport that have been among the most vulnerable in recent years, appearing high in the list of most-stolen models in Britain.
Here’s how the tech works, which older models will be eligible for the security upgrade and how much it will cost owners…
JLR bosses said the decision to upgrade older models with its latest tech is part of ‘reaffirming its commitment to vehicle security’.
It has found that its latest anti-theft systems in its newest models manufactured from 2022 onwards is far less susceptible to relay attacks.
Since January last year, only 0.07 per cent of new Range Rover and Range Rover Sports on the road with the latest security setup have been stolen, while only 0.3 per cent of new Defenders have been affected since 2020.
And the good news for customers is that the tech can be deployed to some previous generation vehicles – including those that are outside the brand’s three-year warranty – to provide this increased level of protection.
Yet only models built from 2018 are eligible for the security upgrade.
The update will be conducted free of charge at no cost to owners, JLR’s letter to customers confirms, and will be a software fix carried out by its dealer network.
JLR claims to have already retrofitted some 65,000 older vehicles with the update via its retailers.
It has been contacting known owners directly to let them know they can have this upgrade installed – and JLR is urging those who have not yet taken advantage of the offer should contact their local dealer to arrange having their cars retrofitted with the latest in anti-theft software.
The company says keepers of post-2018 Range Rovers, Defenders, Discoverys and Jaguars should be eligible for the security updates.
In letters sent to owners, JLR says: ‘Your vehicle is eligible for a security enhancement programme that is being provided free of charge to owners of certain models in our range.’
It adds: ‘In conjunction with the police and insurance companies, we are aware of the recent increase in vehicle theft in some parts of the UK.
‘We’re committed to protecting our clients from crime and have a team working closely with the police and other partners on this issue.
‘This proactive approach has enabled us to support criminal investigations, spot emergency trends and quickly develop and deploy effective anti-theft measures.
‘All our vehicles are already fitted with industry-leading security systems that have been rated ‘ Superior’ by Thatcham Research. But to further increase protection and combat key cloning, we have developed a new software enhancement.’
It goes on to say retailers will ‘upgrade the software on your vehicle’ and this will be done ‘free of charge under the terms of this programme’.
The letter adds that the work will be completed ‘as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise the inconvenience to you’ and dealers will ‘advice how long a vehicle will be needed for once a booking has been made’.
Commenting today, Patrick McGillycuddy, managing director at JLR UK, said: ‘While vehicle theft in the UK is affecting the whole car industry, at JLR we understand the negative impact this can have on the ownership experience for our clients.
‘Our investment of more than £10 million demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackling this issue.
‘Through our long-standing collaboration with law enforcement and key partners, our expert team will continue to develop and deploy effective anti-theft measures to ensure clients are protected. It is my personal priority.’
Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoverys a common targets for keyless car thieves – and it’s sending premiums rocketing
The list of most stolen cars in Britain last year is a mix of popular models and high-value vehicles, including a couple of JLR products
The Range Rover was the second most stolen car in 2022, with 5,533 instances reported by police to the DVLA. It’s a year-on-year increase of 47% as criminals target high-value motors
Some 1,920 Land Rover Discovery 4X4s were taken by thieves in 2022. That’s a year-on-year rise of 52%
The move will be welcomed, especially by Range Rover and Land Rover Discovery owners – models that have a high resale value that criminals until now have been able to exploit.
Official DVLA records show that these were among the 10 most commonly reported stolen cars last year, with 5,533 Range Rovers being pinched in 2022. Only Ford Fiestas were stolen more often during the 12-month period.
The Land Rover Discovery was fifth on the overall theft list with 1,920 being taken from their rightful owners last year.
Tracker, which provides tracking software for vehicles to locate them after they’ve been stolen, has found in recent years that the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are the models it – with the help of police – have most frequently recovered after they’ve been pinched.
In fact, earlier this year it said the majority of stolen cars it retrieved in the first half of 2023 were Range Rover and Land Rover models, with the Range Rover Sport top of the table.
While Tracker’s data is somewhat skewed by the fact that its devices are often only installed in high-value vehicles, it does shine a light on criminals’ attraction to Land Rover products, as well as their vulnerability.
With thefts at an all-time high, insurance companies have been hiking premiums on JLR vehicles known to be targeted by organised car thieves.
And the scale of thefts became such an issue that some insurers reportedly have refused to cover Range Rovers in London.
Vehicle tracking and recovery service provider, Tracker, has said in recent years that the cars it most commonly has to attempt to retrieve are Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports (pictured)
What is included in the security upgrade?
How criminals steal cars using relay tactic
Criminals usually go in pairs to steal keyless cars. One holds a transmitter and stands next to the vehicle while the other stands close to the house holding an amplifier
To target new – and often high-end – motors, thieves are arming themselves with cheap technology that allows them to take cars without having to step foot into someone’s property to take the keys.
Keyless entry and keyless ignition means a driver only needs to have the car’s key on their body – in their pocket for instance – not only to unlock the doors but to start the engine.
While this is a convenience feature, it is also one that leaves owners susceptible to car crime.
Usually two thieves will work together when planning to pinch a car with keyless tech. One holds a transmitter and stands next to the car while the other stands close to the house holding an amplifier.
The amplifier can boost the signal from the key inside the property and send it to the transmitter.
The transmitter essentially becomes a ghost key and tricks the car into thinking the real key is nearby. This then opens the car and allows it to be driven away without causing any damage.
Insurers have estimated that around half of all car thefts are currently conducted in this way because criminals can do it quickly and in near silence, with gangs usually targeting vehicles in the middle of the night without raising suspicion.
Older models dating back to 2018 can be retrofitted with an update to the car’s existing Body Control Module (BCM), which prevents thieves driving away a vehicle without a key.
Criminals have previously been able to hack this keyless start system, despite never needing to touch the car’s key.
Using the latest theft tech, they have been able to start the engine and drive the vehicle away without raising an alarm.
However, JLR says the update to the BCM contains new embedded technology to prevent this type of infiltration from being successful.
And the latest development of its Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) protection should further counter these relay attacks, where criminals intercept signals between the vehicle and key to unlock the car.
‘Vehicles are not vulnerable to that method when equipped with this technology, which also mitigates the requirement to store keys in a faraday pouch,’ the vehicle manufacturer states.
It added: ‘JLR always recommend clients use every available measure to protect their vehicle, including the Jaguar and Land Rover ‘Remote’ apps.
‘These are connected service which JLR has made available so clients can access a suite of security features, such as vehicle lock reminders and ‘Guardian Mode’, which monitors the vehicle and provides an alert if there is any unauthorised interaction.’
In its efforts to boost vehicle security, JLR has worked closely with British automotive risk and intelligence company Thatcham Research to develop its latest systems.
Richard Billyeald, its chief technical officer, told This is Money: ‘JLR was the first manufacturer to implement ultra-wideband transmission technology and by doing so, successfully protect its vehicles’ keyless entry systems from the relay attack.
‘UWB is a technology that can very accurately determine the distance between the key and the car, thus foiling thieves in their efforts to relay the unlocking signal over greater distances.
‘Current theft data indicates that newer models, not only those manufactured by JLR, are generally more resilient to digital theft techniques. While this is positive news for new vehicle security, it’s important that wherever possible security gaps are closed on those older models which remain vulnerable to criminal exploitation.
‘We look forward to continuing to work closely with vehicle manufacturers from across the industry to anticipate and shut down security vulnerabilities. This is a game of cat and mouse that vigilant vehicle manufacturers can win, with the right support.’
Our top five security tips to protect your car from thieves using hi-tech tactics
1. Keep your key fob well away from your vehicle – and store it in a Faraday wallet
To best protect against keyless car theft, always place the keyfob as far away from the vehicle as you can and store it in a location that is not close to doors or windows in your property.
Halfords sells faraday pouches for £5
Even keeping them upstairs or in a room that’s the furthest distance from your driveway will not guarantee that a criminal using relay tactics won’t be able to infiltrate the signal.
For the best level of protection, owners of cars with keyless tech should purchase a Faraday pouch or wallet.
You can buy these online for as little as £5. They isolate the key fob’s signal so it can’t be replicated by thieves.
Metal tins and boxes will also provide similar protective levels, as will keeping your key fob in a fridge freezer, microwave or oven – just remember they are in there before turning on the latter two.
Also, don’t forget about your spare keys and apply the same level of care you would to your main keys or fob.
Keeping your keyless fob in a tin will block the signal and prevent thieves from duplicating it to break into your vehicle
2. Invest in extra anti-theft protection
A simple steering wheel lock or wheel clamp might look ugly but are a great tool to deter even the hardiest criminals with the most tech.
They will act as a visual deterrent for thieves who will likely avoid them.
For a criminal to remove a steering wheel lock typically requires the use of noisy drills or saws to cut through, and therefore they are the ideal first line of defence for owners with models that have keyless car tech.
Drivers should also consider wheel clamps as well as having alarm systems and trackers (read more about these below) installed.
Owners of vans with keyless technology should also consider fitting deadbolts for additional protection, especially if they store expensive tools and items in their commercial vehicles overnight.
3. Be mindful when locking the doors
It may sound simple but always make sure your vehicle is locked every time you leave it – especially in busy car parks where thieves often use signal blockers.
Many drivers also don’t realise that on some vehicle models if you press your key fob only once your car will only be single locked.
This means that if you smashed the window you could manually open the car by reaching in and pulling the handle from the inside.
To double lock, key fobs can require a second press of the locking button to engage the full security features. It is important to read your car’s manual when you first get it and familiarise how to securely lock your car when you’re not in it.
4. Think carefully about where you park overnight
Most often, keyless car thefts take place on owners’ driveways. While motorists might think having their vehicle in such close proximity to their property guarantees its security, this is certainly not the case when it comes to relay thefts – quite the contrary, in fact, as it means the car is closer to where they keys are inside your home.
That’s why owners with off-street parking should consider additional measures.
Driveway parking posts are a cheap but efficient way of deterring would-be thieves.
Drivers can also go one step further and install lockable gates in their driveway, while simple CCTV systems can provide further peace of mind.
Luxury cars, which are at greater risk of theft, should be parked in a locked garage where possible.
For those without off-street parking who leave their cars on the road outside their home, you are also not safe from these criminals.
Consider parking further away from your property than usual – and try to find a space under a streetlight so that thieves are exposed when trying to steal your car at night.
If you live on a residential street where there are also business, park outside one with a CCTV camera installed.
5. Install a tracking device in your car
Installing a tracker system in your vehicle, such as a Thatcham approved device, offers an extra layer of security.
A tracking device won’t stop your vehicle being stolen, but it significantly increases the chances of the police recovering and returning it to you.
They cost from between £250 and £800 and the most secure use military-grade tech to locate the whereabouts of cars.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
