Key Takeaway Are Keyless Cars More Likely to Be Stolen in Winter?
• Yes, keyless cars face a higher theft risk in winter. The technology is no weaker, but longer nights give thieves more hours of darkness to carry out relay attacks unseen.
• Most UK vehicle thefts happen on evenings and overnight, which is exactly when winter darkness lasts longest.
• Frost jacking, where a car is stolen while left running to defrost, is a winter risk for all cars. Keyless cars are especially exposed because the fob is not needed once the engine is running.
• Since the Crime and Policing Act 2026, it is a criminal offence to possess relay devices and signal jammers, but organised gangs still use them.
• Layered security works best: a signal-blocking pouch for your fob, a physical lock, an immobiliser and a GPS tracker.
Yes, keyless cars are more likely to be stolen in winter. That is not because keyless systems become easier to hack in the cold. It is because winter changes the conditions in the thief’s favour: long, dark evenings, quieter streets and drivers leaving cars running to defrost on icy mornings. Relay attacks can be over in seconds, and darkness makes them easier to carry out unnoticed. If you drive a keyless car, now is the time to review your security, and fitting one of our car trackers or GPS trackers gives you a way to locate your vehicle if the worst happens.
Why Keyless Cars Are a Target
Keyless entry and start systems let you unlock and drive your car without taking the fob out of your pocket. That convenience is also the weakness. In a relay attack, thieves use electronic devices to pick up the signal from your key fob, often while it sits inside your home, and relay it to the car. The car thinks the key is nearby, unlocks and starts.
Keyless cars now make up a large share of UK vehicle thefts. Admiral, the UK’s largest car insurer, has reported that between 60% and 70% of the cars stolen in a recent 12-month period were keyless. The Metropolitan Police estimates that electronic devices are used in around 60% of vehicle thefts in London.
Why the Risk Increases in Winter
Longer hours of darkness
Most UK car thefts take place on weekday evenings and overnight. In winter, it can be dark before 5pm and stay dark until well after 7am. That gives thieves far more time to work under cover of darkness, when neighbours are indoors with curtains drawn and fewer people are out walking.
Relay attacks are fast and quiet
A relay attack does not involve smashing a window or forcing a lock. There is no noise and often no visible damage. Combined with winter darkness, the chances of anyone noticing are slim.
Frost jacking
On cold mornings, many drivers start the engine and pop back indoors while the windscreen defrosts. Thieves call this an open invitation. With a keyless car, once the engine is running, the fob is not needed to drive away. Leaving a car running unattended on a public road can also be an offence, and many insurers will not pay out if your car is stolen with the engine running or the key inside.
Cars parked closer to the home
In winter, cars tend to sit on driveways and kerbsides for longer periods, often just metres from where the key fob is kept. The shorter the distance between the fob and the car, the easier it is for a relay device to bridge the gap.
To give yourself the best chance of getting your car back, explore our range of car trackers, from hardwired systems with live alerts to compact GPS trackers that can be hidden discreetly in your vehicle.
Has the New Law Changed Anything?
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 made it a criminal offence to make, possess, import, adapt or supply electronic devices used to steal vehicles. That includes relay attack tools, CAN bus injection devices, key fob signal jammers and key emulators. Police can now seize these devices without having to link them to a specific theft.
This is a welcome step, but determined criminal gangs will not simply stop. The law makes their equipment riskier to carry, but it does not make your car any harder to steal. Your own security measures still matter.
How to Protect Your Keyless Car This Winter
Block the key fob signal
Keep your fob in a signal-blocking (Faraday) pouch or box when you are not using it, and store it away from doors and windows. Test the pouch regularly by standing next to the car with the fob inside and trying the door.
Check for a sleep mode
Many newer key fobs have a motion sensor that puts them to sleep when left still. Some cars also let you switch off keyless entry altogether. Check your handbook or ask your dealer.
Never leave your car running unattended
Stay with your car while it defrosts, or use an ice scraper and de-icer instead. A few minutes of scraping is far better than losing the car.
Use a visible physical deterrent
A steering wheel lock or pedal lock is a simple visual message to thieves that your car will take longer to steal. Many will move on to an easier target.
Fit an immobiliser
An aftermarket immobiliser that requires a PIN code or authentication before the car can be driven adds a layer that a relay attack alone cannot get past.
Fit a GPS tracker
If a thief does get away with your car, a tracker lets you see where it is and share that with the police. Speed matters, because stolen cars are often moved quickly, hidden or stripped for parts. Look for features such as live tracking, movement alerts and a backup battery.
Park smart
Use a garage if you have one, park in well-lit areas, and consider security lighting or a doorbell camera covering your driveway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are keyless cars easier to steal in cold weather?
The cold itself does not make keyless systems easier to hack. The higher risk comes from longer hours of darkness, frost jacking and cars sitting close to homes where the fob is kept.
What time of day are most cars stolen?
Most UK vehicle thefts happen on weekday evenings and overnight, which is why the long nights of winter give thieves more opportunity.
Does a Faraday pouch stop keyless car theft?
A good quality signal-blocking pouch stops relay devices picking up your fob’s signal, which helps prevent relay attacks. Test it regularly, as pouches can wear out over time.
Is it illegal to own a relay device in the UK?
Yes. Under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, making, possessing, importing, adapting or supplying devices used to steal vehicles is a criminal offence unless there is a legitimate reason.
Will a GPS tracker stop my car being stolen?
A tracker will not physically prevent a theft, but it helps you locate your car quickly if it is stolen. It works best alongside a fob pouch, steering lock and immobiliser.
The Bottom Line
Keyless cars are not less secure in winter, but winter gives thieves more cover and more opportunity. Long nights, quiet streets and frosty mornings all work in their favour. Protect your fob, never leave your car running unattended, and build up layers of security so your car is harder to steal and easier to recover. Browse our full range of car trackers or find a discreet option among our GPS trackers to keep your vehicle protected this winter.
