How to Check if Your Car Is Vulnerable to Relay Theft (and Why Most Are)

The German Automobile Club (ADAC) regularly tests cars for relay-theft vulnerability. Their results are a very useful guide, but not a total guarantee for UK-spec cars, as features can vary by market and model year.

ADAC reports that of the 802 cars tested only 117 (14%) have strong relay theft protection, typically UWB. Of the 685 cars that don’t have strong relay theft protection only 129 (16%) have any meaningful anti-relay mitigation, typically motion-sensor key fobs.

Of the 802 cars tested 556 (69%) lack any relay theft protection.

The list of cars tested in ADACs 2025 report (.pdf) is in German but easy to follow. Column headings in the report translated here:

HerstellerModellErstzulassungIllegales Öffnen möglich?Illegaler Motorstart möglich?besser gesichert mit UWBmit BewegungssensorTestjahrKommentar
ManufacturerModelFirst registrationIllegal opening possible?Illegal engine start possible?Better secured with UWBwith motion sensorTest yearComment

Ja = Yes

Nein = No

Link to the ADAC report


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *