Cars equipped with advanced technology, such as keyless entry systems, are presenting new opportunities for criminals, according to new research1 from The Green Insurer, which is focused on helping drivers reduce carbon emissions and drive in a more environmentally friendly way. The findings reveal ”keyless technology”, where a physical key is not required to turn the ignition and start the car, is thought by 70% of motorists to make cars more vulnerable to being stolen via criminal activities such as key cloning.
Keyless technology and its potential to be exploited by criminals who are able to unlock and start vehicles without needing physical access to a key, was described by more than a third of respondents (34%) as making cars equipped with this innovation “much more vulnerable” to being stolen; a further 35% said they thought the technology makes cars “slightly more vulnerable” to theft. Only 10% believe that keyless car models were less vulnerable to theft.
The research highlights that four in five (80%) motorists believe that car manufacturers need to do more to make their cars more difficult to steal, with only 6% saying they did not believe car manufacturers had more work to do to make their cars less vulnerable to theft. The over 55s are more likely (85% of respondents in this age group) to believe that the responsibility of addressing car theft lies with the manufacturers, compared with 66% of under 25s who share this view.
The rise in car crime appears to be impacting people’s purchasing decisions, with one in eight (13%) saying that they have in the past avoided buying a particular model of car because they fear it is attractive to thieves. A further 33% of people stated that they will consider not buying a particular model of car in the future if they fear it is desirable to thieves, and therefore at higher risk of theft. Just over one in two people (54%) said that they didn’t take the vulnerability of a car brand or model being stolen into consideration when making a car purchase.
Paul Baxter, CEO, The Green Insurer, said: “Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, including keyless entry systems and sophisticated infotainment units. While these features enhance convenience and connectivity for owners, they also present new opportunities for criminals.
“It’s clear from our research that the overwhelming majority of consumers believe car manufacturers have a pivotal role to play in reducing car crime. More worryingly, our findings indicate that if a particular model is deemed to be a high risk target for thieves, almost one in two purchasers will be put off from buying. By keeping one step ahead of the criminals and enhancing the security features of their vehicles, whether that is by integrating advanced encryption methods or investing in better vehicle tracking and recovery systems, car manufacturers can make significant strides in reducing car crime, thereby giving their customers peace of mind as well as protecting their brand.”
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