Drivers of certain vehicles have been warned that they could be at risk of losing a huge amount of money and being targeted by criminals for one simple reason
Top mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a stark warning to motorists about the risks of certain modern vehicles with keyless ignition systems, potentially leading to financial losses and heightened chances of theft. He highlighted that owners of petrol, diesel and electric cars equipped with keyless ignitions could be particularly vulnerable.
Kilmer noted that fobs which rely on buttons rather than a traditional key turn could invite trouble, from simplicity issues to significant replacement costs. The statement came with the caution that such keyless fobs are not only “cost a fortune to replace” but also may make the associated vehicle “easier to steal”, striking a concerning note for car owners.
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Addressing his audience on YouTube, Scotty explained: “Today I’m going to talk about something I hate. Keyless ignition systems.” His preference is clear as he added: “I like plain old keys. They very rarely break. These computer ones have a lot of ID signals in them.”
Discussing the potential drawbacks, he continued: “They cost a fortune to replace if you lose them, reports the Express. Unlike the plain old key, they are not waterproof. If these fall in the water or go through the wash. Goodbye.”
Kilmer also warns about the security implications of digital keys: “Lastly, they make your vehicle easier to steal. People can copy these signals, have one and steal your car.”
He contrasted this with the relative security of physical keys, stating: “With a regular key, they’ve got to make a copy of the key. There’s no key to copy here, just a computer signal.”
As per CheckaTrade, getting a manual car key replaced could set drivers back an estimated £160. The financial burden increases for remote car keys, with the average cost hitting around £320.
To compound matters, car manufacturers might demand even higher prices for replacement keys, with some premium brands’ fees soaring into the thousands.
Owners of keyless vehicles are also under threat from ‘relay attacks’, where criminals employ a cunning method to unlawfully gain access to cars.
These crooks intercept signals from a legitimate device, such as a key fob, and relay them to the vehicle. This essentially dupes the car into granting access without the actual key present.
Tracker specialists have flagged ‘relay attacks’ as a significant worry, given they remain the go-to strategy for thieves.
Plan Insurance Brokers advised: “A Thatcham-approved vehicle tracker is worth serious consideration and on high-value vehicles, they can be mandatory for many insurers.”
They added: “The device won’t necessarily prevent the vehicle being taken but it could enable the police to recover it.”