BRITS have been warned over five signs that can make their motors an easy target for thieves, including a major parking mistake.
Last year saw an all-time high for car thefts so it’s vital to take all the steps you can to protect yourself.
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And with cops only attending three in ten theft reports, you’re unlikely to get a second chance at securing your vehicle.
With that in mind, experts from Gunther Mitsubishi shared their top tips for putting crooks off having a crack at your car.
The team said: “Car theft is an ever-present concern for vehicle owners, with thieves becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods.
“It’s more important than ever for drivers to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their vehicles.”
Leaving items inside
One of the worst mistakes you can make is to leave valuable items visible inside your vehicle.
Not only does this indicate carelessness and a high-value target, but it can also open you up to opportunistic thefts.
Have you suffered at the hands of car thieves? Contact jacob.jaffa@news.co.uk to share your story.
It’s much easier for someone to smash a window and pinch a few things than actually make off with an entire car so make sure to either remove any valuables or at least hide them away.
New lock tech
The experts said: “While keyless entry systems add convenience, they can also be a vulnerability.
“Thieves can use relay devices to capture the signal from your key fob and unlock your car.”
To prevent this, you can block the signal by keeping your key in a Faraday pouch, which are available for as little as £5.99 on Amazon.
If you don’t have one, make sure to keep your fob away from windows or doors to minimise the chance of the signal being intercepted from outside.
Missing security
One of the biggest deterrents to any potential thief is any form of visible security measure.
Things like steering locks, alarms and wheel clamps all make a criminal’s life much harder.
All but the most determined are likely to decide that the effort and risk of getting around these devices isn’t worth their while and look for an easier target instead.
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Immobilisers, while often invisible, are often a great way to prevent theft, as you can deactivate the engine from your key fob and stop the crooks from getting away.
Many also come with trackers which can help cops track down your missing motor.
Points of entry
Always make sure that you don’t provide any easy access points that make thieves’ lives easier.
Roll your windows up fully and double-check that you have properly locked the vehicle.
If your car has any faults with its locking system, then get these fixed immediately to reduce the risk.
The experts added: “Many drivers also forget to activate their car alarms, which are a crucial line of defence that can alert you and others nearby of a break-in attempt.”
Parking error
Finally, where you park can make a big difference in how likely your car is to be targeted.
Given the time it takes to steal a car, perpetrators often rely on the cover of darkness and target isolated vehicles.
Be sure to park in busy, well-lit areas or in a locked garage where possible to deter any attempts at a break-in.
Even better, try and stop in areas with good CCTV coverage so that, if you do come back to find the car gone, you have a better chance of identifying those responsible.
