How to Prevent Car Theft
FixMyCar discusses what car owners can do to deter thieves.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Monday June 30 2025
11 min read
Modern cars have more advanced security technology than ever. Unfortunately, the thieves who target them are also advancing with increasingly clever ways to bypass anti-theft devices.
With car theft on the rise in the UK, it’s worth looking into extra safety measures to protect your vehicle. This guide provides tips for preventing car theft and explores the best anti-theft devices.
Car theft statistics UK
According to data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in January 2024, there was an 8% increase in car theft between October 2022 and September 2023 compared to the same period the previous year.
Additional ONS data analysed by personal finance site NimbleFins shows that this trend is ongoing, with 2.2 cars stolen for every 1,000 people in 2024 - a 67% increase compared to 2014.
Unsurprisingly, London has the highest vehicle crime rates in the UK, with 11.7 cases per 1,000 people, closely followed by Birmingham with 11.6. The South West region has the lowest vehicle crime rate (3.9 offences per 1,000 people).
Tesco Bank analysed car thefts from the year to August 2024 based on its insurance claims data and found that black vehicles are the most commonly stolen, accounting for around a quarter (27% of all claims).
The top five stolen car brands according to Tesco are:
Ford (16%)
Land Rover (16%)
Mercedes (9%)
BMW (8%)
Toyota (5%)
16 ways to prevent car theft
Your car is probably one of the most expensive things you own. It’s natural to want to protect it, and you can do this in several ways.
1. Double check your car is locked
Before leaving your vehicle parked, check that the doors are locked and ensure you haven’t left any windows open.
It isn’t just opportunistic thieves you need to be wary of. Some criminals use signal jammers to block the signal between the key and the car, leaving it unlocked and vulnerable to theft. That’s why you shouldn’t just rely on your key fob.
2. Keep your keys safe
Getting hold of someone’s car keys is one of the easiest ways to steal a car, so make sure you protect yours. Keep them out of view in a safe place; if you’re at home, don’t leave them near the door. Some thieves steal keys using a stick and hook through the letterbox.
Find out what to do if you’ve lost your car keys.
3. Be wary of ‘relay attacks’
A significant number of drivers are at risk of having their car stolen by ‘relay attack’. This is when two criminals work together using electronic signal relay devices.
One criminal has a device that picks up the signal from the key inside the home and transfers it to a box the second criminal holds next to the car. This tricks the vehicle into registering the key, allowing thieves to unlock it.
The signal can pass through walls, doors and windows but can’t get through metal. If you store your keys in a metal box, they will be safe from this method of theft.
4. Park in a safe place
A well-lit public place is the ideal parking spot as this will deter thieves. Avoid dark, private parking spaces, and if you need to use a car park, try to find one that has a security patrol or is monitored by CCTV. Park next to other vehicles because a criminal is less likely to steal your car if they think they might be disturbed.
5. Watch for illegal tow trucks
Thieves sometimes try to steal cars using a tow truck. If you spot one nearby that doesn’t seem legitimate - for instance, it has no branding - or the crew looks suspicious, it’s best to report the vehicle to the police.
You will never be blamed for reporting in good faith, even if the truck turns out to be genuine.
Using a car park with a height-restricted entrance is a great way to prevent your car from being towed illegally. Another way to protect your car is to fit a Thatcham-rated category one or two alarm system with immobilisation, tracking, movement and anti-grab sensors.
6. Don’t leave belongings on display
Leaving belongings on display can lead to vandalism. You may return to a smashed window because a thief has stolen something from your car. This is particularly true of more expensive items like electronics and designer bags.
Take any valuables and other belongings with you when you leave your car.
7. Fit in-car security locks
Stopping thieves from gaining access to your vehicle is one thing. But what if they do manage to get in? The next line of defence is to prevent them from driving away, and that’s where in-car security locks can help.
Devices like steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks prevent thieves from being able to use your car, and some products by Sold Secure can even resist a small hand-held angle grinder.
8. Secure your port
Most modern vehicles have an OBD diagnostic port, which can unlock and start the car. Consider buying a lockable cover if your vehicle has one of these ports.
9. Remove your stereo/sat-nav
Your car may have a front panel that stops it working if it’s removed. If it does, take it with you when you leave the vehicle. It’s also a good idea to take your sat-nav with you. You don’t want to give a criminal any reason to want to break into your car.
10. Add an alarm, immobiliser or tracking device
Cars typically come with a factory-fitted immobiliser. However, fitting an additional Thatcham-approved alarm can significantly reduce the risk of car theft and your insurance premium. It really is a win-win.
A tracking device won’t necessarily stop your car from being stolen - but it does increase the chances of being found and safely recovered.
Even if your car is a bit older and not worth as much as a new one, that doesn’t mean it’s safe from thieves. According to Tracker, 27% of the vehicles it recovered in 2016 were worth less than £5,000. This statistic shows that fitting an extra security system is a worthwhile investment for anyone, not just the owners of flashy cars.
11. Protect your alloys
Alloy wheels are a common target for thieves. The best way to protect them is with locking wheel nuts, which are cheap to buy and fit and difficult to remove without the correct key.
Theoretically, a thief could buy a locking wheel nut remover online. But it still works as a deterrent for opportunistic thieves who would otherwise take advantage of the ease of access.
12. Don’t leave your car running
Leaving your car running is like inviting thieves to steal it. Always stay with your vehicle when the engine is running, even if it’s a cold morning and you’re waiting for it to warm up.
If you’re popping out for a few minutes, you should still switch the vehicle off and lock the doors. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal a running car.
13. Join a neighbourhood watch scheme
A Neighbourhood Watch scheme allows community members to collaborate with the police to reduce crime and enhance the safety of the local area through increased vigilance. Joining one of these schemes is helpful for car owners who are worried about their vehicles being stolen.
14. Secure your driveway
If you’re lucky enough to have a driveway - and we appreciate not everyone does - there are two key things you can do to make it more secure. The first is to add security lighting that switches on when it detects movement, and the second is to fit a camera to catch thieves in the act.
15. Be aware of carjackers
Thieves won’t necessarily be deterred just because you are in your car. Drive with your doors locked, especially in slow-moving traffic, and leave plenty of space between the vehicles behind and in front.
If another car bumps into the back of you, don’t pull over until you find a safe place, preferably with other people around. Some car hijackers use this as a theft technique. If anyone threatens you after you have pulled over, call 999 as soon as possible and ask for the police.
Find out what you should do if you’re involved in an accident.
16. Turn your wheels into the curb
Turning your wheels towards the curb or another vehicle is a simple trick that makes it harder for thieves to make a speedy getaway. It won’t stop anyone from stealing your car but will slow them down, giving you time to note down their description and call the police.
How to prevent keyless car theft
Keyless entry vehicles unlock automatically when the key is within a certain distance of the car, even if the key is in a bag or pocket. There’s no need to push a button.
Cars that use keyless entry systems are at risk of ‘relay attacks’, which we described in our third tip above. To recap: a relay attack involves two criminals tricking the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby so that it unlocks, and they can drive it away.
You can protect your keyless entry car by:
Keeping your keys well away from your vehicle when at home
Putting your keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday pouch
Reprogramming your keys if you buy a used car
Turning off your key fob’s wireless signals when it’s not in use
Using additional security measures, such as locks and immobilisers
Anti-theft devices for cars
You can use a range of clever devices to boost your car’s security.
Faraday pouch/RFID wallet - a signal-blocking pouch for your keys.
Steering wheel lock - prevents thieves from turning the wheel and acts as a visual deterrent.
Parking post - a heavy-duty steel post to stop thieves from driving off immediately, but it is easy to drive over when folded down.
Wheel clamp - a wheel clamp is also an excellent visual deterrent, made from solid steel with pick-proof locks.
Window etching - etching the windows of a vehicle with the International Security Register (ISR) logo and a unique code, which is linked to a secure database used by all the police forces in the UK.
GPS tracker - installed discreetly inside your car, it monitors the vehicle’s location in real-time, making it easy to track down if it’s stolen.
Security lights - triggered by movement, installing these lights on your driveway is an effective deterrent.
Thatcham-approved alarm systems/immobilisers - Thatcham Research sets the industry standards for security.
Does car insurance cover theft?
There are three categories of car insurance offering different levels of cover. Not all of them include theft.
Comprehensive insurance - covers theft.
Third-party, fire and theft - covers theft.
Third-party - doesn’t cover theft.
If you only have third-party insurance and you’re worried about car theft, you should look into upgrading your policy to the next level of cover.
Learn more about car insurance and how to get it cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Colour, age, and make can all impact the likelihood of a car being stolen. Research by Tesco Bank found that black cars are the most likely to be stolen, Ford is the most commonly targeted brand, and vehicles between five and nine years old are most at risk of theft.
Other factors that make a car more likely to be stolen include a lack of security devices, a keyless entry system, and being parked in a bad place (e.g., somewhere dark and away from others).
A steering wheel lock is an excellent deterrent. However, thieves could still drive your car in a straight line or tow it away, so it isn’t a perfect solution.
When at home, always keep your keys away from doors and windows. The best place to store them is in a Faraday pouch in a drawer.
The Ford Fiesta is the most stolen car, according to the DVLA’s figures for 2023.
Looking for affordable car repairs or maintenance? FixMyCar can help you find the right garage at the right price.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.