Did you know that in the UK, one car is stolen every 8 minutes? According to DVLA data, in 2023, there were 64,087 cases of vehicle theft registered.
Car theft remains an unresolved issue throughout the entire history of automobiles, and it's no surprise given their high value and associated status.
On its part, the automotive industry has not stood by idly. Significant advances in vehicle security technology now give owners a real chance to protect their vehicles.
From simple deterrents to complex 'smart' key systems and GPS trackers, car security has come a long way over the past decades.
Let's take a look at some key milestones in the evolution of preventing car theft.
Early anti-theft devices: Cables, kill switches, and alarms
In the early years of automobile manufacturing, physical barriers such as bulky cable locks provided rudimentary protection against would-be thieves. Henry Ford once had to chain his car to a lamp post to prevent it from being stolen.
Although these devices were simple deterrents, a determined thief could overcome them. It was just a matter of time and persistence.
Then came electric ignition and kill switches. Cutting power to key components needed to start the vehicle was still not effective against experienced criminals.
Beginning in the 1970s, simple alarms brought a means of deterrence through sound to automobiles. Horns and sirens were meant to scare off thieves and attract attention. But even then, skilled thieves learned to disable alarms, significantly reducing their effectiveness.
Immobilizers with chips – a major breakthrough in the evolution of preventing car theft
In the 90s, a breakthrough in the arms race of car security came with the introduction of ignition immobilizers with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
These systems use chips in ignition keys that transmit a radio signal to a receiver in the car, activating the ignition system only when the correct key is present.
So how effective were they? Well, chip immobilizers reduced car thefts of Mustangs by 70%. Massive!
Even with physical access, direct starter engagement or bypassing the ignition system is virtually impossible without the correct chip key. Immobilizers quickly became standard equipment and remain a powerful deterrent to this day.
However, professional car thieves can still steal the original key or bypass the system with specialized tools. Thus, while a great improvement, immobilizers alone are not enough for complete protection.
Sophisticated 'smart' key technologies
In recent decades, advanced 'smart' key systems, such as Mercedes' KEYLESS-GO, have taken car security to the next level. What does this mean?
Not only must the key contain the correct transponder chip, but its proximity to the car must be verified before unlocking and activating the ignition with a push button. This significantly complicates the theft of modern vehicles.
However, researchers have demonstrated how technically savvy thieves can exploit vulnerabilities by intercepting and amplifying key signals. Therefore, automakers continue to refine 'smart' key technology to eliminate security gaps. For example, using location sensors to shut down the car if the key is far away.
GPS tracking and telematics
Possibly, the ultimate achievement in modern vehicle security is real-time vehicle tracking using GPS through cellular networks. Unlike immobilizers, which only prevent theft, GPS tracking companies in the UK, often listed on their websites, offer GPS trackers that can pinpoint the location of a stolen vehicle within seconds.
Upon receiving an alert, tracking specialists notify the police and direct recovery teams using current location data. With quick response, stolen vehicles can often be intercepted before they are dismantled or shipped in containers.
In combination with immobilizers and 'smart' key technology, telematic tracking provides a powerful multi-layered defense, greatly reducing risks for owners. As the capabilities and coverage of tracking networks grow, the chances of professional car thieves operating unnoticed sharply decrease.
Biometrics and autonomous driving
In the future, biometric technologies, such as fingerprint scanners or facial recognition, may become another breakthrough in verifying authorized operators and preventing theft. Already used in phones and laptops, biometric security systems could transition to automobiles in the coming years. Autonomous vehicles also have inherent advantages in terms of security, eliminating human error and faulty judgment.
Drivers now have effective tools to avoid becoming part of theft statistics. However, no single system is absolutely foolproof, given the adaptability of professional thieves.
Using multi-level security technologies remains the best line of defense, along with common sense and precautions such as parking in well-lit areas. With proactive safety measures and vigilance, owners can be confident that their vehicles have the best chances of avoiding capture by determined thieves.