Theft Prevention Academy
Keyless Theft Driveway Checklist — 14 Measures, Ranked by Impact
If your vehicle lives on a driveway — as most UK keyless vehicles do — there is a real amount of risk-reduction you can do tonight, some of it free. This checklist is ranked by real-world impact, not by sales priority: the free and low-cost measures come first.
How to use this checklist
Four levels, in order of impact-per-effort. Levels 1 and 2 are things you can do in the next hour. Level 3 is a Saturday-morning job. Level 4 is a one-off investment that changes your risk profile meaningfully.
Most owners need every Level 1–2 measure, some of Level 3, and Level 4 if the vehicle is worth more than around £25,000 or keyless.
Level 1 — Free measures (do these tonight)
Level 2 — Low-cost measures (£0–£50)
Level 3 — Mid-cost physical deterrents (£50–£300)
Level 4 — Engineering layer (£300+, once)
What your insurer cares about vs what actually works
| Measure | Insurer cares? | Stops current attacks? |
|---|---|---|
| Key in pouch | ❌ (informal) | Partial |
| Motion-sleep key | ❌ | Partial |
| PIR floodlights | ❌ | Marginal |
| Doorbell camera | ❌ (but evidence useful) | ❌ |
| OBD lock box | Occasionally | Partial |
| Steering lock | Occasionally | Deterrent only |
| Thinkware dash cam | Some insurers discount | Evidence + deterrent |
| Thatcham S5 tracker | Required on premium cars | Recovery only |
| Ghost II immobiliser | Specialist insurers discount | Prevention (Most effective) |
The honest summary: if you can only do two things at the engineering layer, do Ghost II + Thatcham S5. They're complementary, they cover the insurer requirement, and they stop the actual attacks.
Printable summary
| Level | Measure | Budget | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keep keys away from front door | Free | ★★★★ |
| 1 | Enable motion-sleep on key | Free | ★★★ |
| 1 | Close curtains facing driveway | Free | ★★ |
| 1 | Household briefed | Free | ★★ |
| 2 | Faraday pouch primary key | £10–£30 | ★★★ |
| 2 | Faraday pouch spare key | £10–£30 | ★★★ |
| 2 | PIR floodlights | £20–£50 | ★★ |
| 2 | Doorbell camera | £30–£200 | ★★ |
| 2 | OBD lock box | £25–£70 | ★★ |
| 3 | Wheel lock | £50–£150 | ★★ |
| 3 | Steering/pedal lock | £30–£120 | ★ |
| 3 | Driveway bollard | £100–£300 | ★★★ |
| 4 | Thinkware dash cam | from £X | ★★★ |
| 4 | Ghost II + Thatcham S5 | from £X + sub | ★★★★★ |
Frequently asked questions
Is keeping my keys in the microwave a real thing?
It works as a Faraday effect — metal enclosure blocks RF — but please don't turn the microwave on. A proper pouch is safer.
Do I still need Ghost II if I have a Faraday pouch?
Pouches only protect against relay attack, and only while the key is inside. Ghost II covers all three attack types and doesn't rely on you remembering.
Which Level 4 measure should I do first?
Ghost II if your insurer hasn't required a tracker; S5 tracker if they have. Ideally both.
Will a dash cam prevent theft?
Rarely — but it provides evidence that supports claims, prosecutions, and sometimes direct recovery.
Are steering locks worth anything on a modern car?
As a deterrent layer paired with other measures, yes. On their own against an organised crew, no.
Should I disable factory keyless entry?
Some manufacturers let a dealer disable it. Reduces relay exposure; doesn't address OBD or emulation. Worth doing if convenient.
What about SmartWater / forensic marking?
Useful for parts recovery and prosecution, not for preventing initial theft. A complementary measure.
Is off-road (driveway) safer than on-road?
Yes — statistically safer across all attack types. On-road risk is higher.
Book the engineering layer
When you're ready for Level 4, send vehicle, postcode and insurer. We'll quote the full stack, schedule a mobile fit at your home, and send the Thatcham certificate the same day.